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Headlines: New Antarctic species discovered; Asmar to build hi-tech oceanic fishing boat; Increase in fuel price threatens fishing industry; Uruguayan-Argentine maritime commission lacks funds. Cartographic updating
New Antarctic species discovered
Spanish biologists say they discovered new species during their exploration of marine fauna in the Bellingshausen Sea - the most remote of the three big Antarctic seas. The scientists Javier Cristobo, Pilar Ríos and Óscar García from the Marine Biology Centre of A Graña (Ferrol), announced their discovery this week in an interview with El Correo Gallego. The expedition, on board the research vessel Hespérides 21, this summer lasted from 24 January to 5 March. During the trip the biologists took several samples of the marine fauna, at different depths. The samples were gathered from depths between 500 and 2,500 metres, mainly using trawl nets and creels as diving was very limited due to the low temperature of the water. A complex robot was used to capture images. Although the research will not be finished until the samples arrive in Cartagena in late April, Javier Cristobo has no doubts that there will be new species among those samples. "We will have to wait for the proof, but we can confirm that what we saw under the magnifying glass and the microscope was completely unknown. They are new to the scientific world, species that have never been described before," said Cristobo. Highlighting the significance of such discoveries, his colleague, Óscar García, said a previous expedition to the Antarctic had gathered "17 mollusc samples, 15 of which were previously unknown and belonged to six species new to science." The expedition to Bellingshausen Sea broke the record for the furthest south that any Spanish ship has ventured when the Hespérides reached S 71º 01'. It broke another record when it sailed for 26 days below the Antarctic Circle. (FIS/MP).
Increase in fuel price threatens fishing industry The rising cost of fuel ? caused by the crisis in Iraq - is threatening the Spanish fishing sector. Many vessels face the prospect of standing idle because owners can't afford the cost of fuel, which has already increased 55% since March 2002. Prices have been rising in tandem with the increasing threat of war against Iraq. Previously, fuel costs represented 10-15% of companies' overheads, but now that has jumped to 25% of total operating costs. The biggest increase came when fuel prices shot up 7%, says the Spanish Federation of Fisheries Organisations (Feope), who has addressed several ministries asking for "urgent measures to help companies face the increase". While the crisis with Iraq deepens, the Spanish authorities, together with the French and Greek ones - also affected by an increase in fuel prices - have asked the European Commission (EC) to take action. However, EU Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler rejected the possibility of granting any financial aid that could distort competition, leading to appeals in the European Court of Justice. But he agreed to discuss measures against the increase in fuel for agriculture and fisheries during next week's EC meeting. In the meantime, Spanish Fisheries minister Miguel Arias Cañete says some compensatory tax measures are being assessed, reports La Opinión Digital. (FIS/MP).-
Asmar to build hi-tech oceanic fishing boat The well-known Chilean shipyard Asmar (Astilleros y Maestranza de la Armada) is negotiating a contract to build a high-tech fishing vessel - the first oceanic fishing vessel of its type. The vessels will be equipped for mid-water and deep-sea purse seine fishing, with a processing plant for human consumption products and refrigerated holds, reports El Sur. Asmar's Managing Director, Rear Admiral Hernan Barria Saravia, said this was a highly prestigious project, giving the company an opportunity to build a rare type of vessel. Asmar went into partnership with a specialist company, with whom they developed the preliminary design. Ship owners assessed the prototype and made a few adjustments to achieve the final model. The boat will take around 20 months to build in the company's Talcahuano shipyard, at an estimated cost of around USD 24-26 million. Barría Saravia said his company was also engaged in the Danubio Project, which involved building 16 general service patrol boats for the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory (DGTM), 13 of which are already operating. These vessels have a very good chance of being exported to Central American countries, he said. Asmar owns three shipyards and the main one is Talcahuano is considered the most important industrial plant of its type in the South East Pacific area. Talcahuano's facilities include two dry docks, six floating docks, and over 1,600 m of berths and mooring sites with associated services. (FIS/MP).-
Uruguayan-Argentine maritime commission lacks funds News that the Joint Technical Commission for the Argentina/Uruguay Maritime Front (CTMFM) may have to close because of lack of funds sent shockwaves in the Uruguayan Parliament. Senator Carlos Garat raised the alarm during a parliamentary session, when he pointed out that the organisation was in severe financial difficulty. The governments of Uruguay and Argentina are jointly responsible for funding the Commission's activities that regulates fishing in common waters. However both governments are heavily indebted so it's no surprise they have been unable or delayed the funding of the Commission's running costs. CTMFM was created under the Rio de la Plata and Maritime Front Treaty, signed by Uruguay and Argentina in 1973. Its duties include conducting research and implementing measures to protect the marine environment and living marine resources through rational exploitation. It is responsible for fisheries management within the Argentina-Uruguay Common Fishing Area, including decisions on temporary fishing bans. Legislators, scientists and the fisheries industry agree that the closure of CTMFM would be a tremendous loss for both countries conservation efforts and a backward step for overall maritime interests in the region. (FIS/MP).-
Cartographic updating
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