Stories for August 13th 2003
Argentine lower house repeals impunity laws
With marchers demanding justice outside, Argentina's Chamber of Deputies voted late Tuesday night to annul two laws providing immunity from prosecution on atrocities charges for former officials of the 1970s dictatorship.
Two month San Matías Gulf hake ban
Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) fishing is to be banned in the San Matías Gulf for two months as for October 1, to protect the species during its most important spawning period. Río Negro province Department of Production has decided to ban hake fishing in the gulf from October through November 30 in the Río Negro fishing reserve north of parallel 41º 30'.
Controversy over scientific advice
Fishermen's associations are calling on the Galician government to launch an effective plan to guarantee the survival and growth of the region's coastal fisheries. The fishermen from northwest Spain argue that to achieve this goal, the Fisheries Department must carry out a detailed analysis not only of the biological aspects but also the technology, economics, and social aspects related to the industry.
Landings in north Chile down 29.5%
Landings of fishery products in Chile's Region II were down 29.5% during the second quarter compared with the same period last year, according to National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) data. The latest Sernapesca report shows that the total catch of pelagic species - anchovy, South American pilchard, horse mackerel and mackerel - came to 114,334 tonnes, which is 26.1% less than the total for April-June last year.
Morocco offers Spain fisheries agreement
More than two years after the EU-Morocco fishing agreement expired, Spanish fishing companies are set to benefit from Morocco's plans to modernise its economy. According to La Vanguardia, the Moroccan government is hoping to establish “preferential economic cooperation” with Spain, mainly in fisheries and agriculture.
Chemical residues in salmon farming
Increasingly strict standards governing chemical residues in seafood exports have prompted Chilean export industries to join forces to tackle the use of veterinary medicines in salmon production.
Sector shocked at scrapping subsidy cuts
Spanish vessel owners were stunned to learn that they may have to repay some of the compensation they received for scrapping their vessels as part of the EU's fleet reduction programme. The Galician government (Xunta) says vessel owners who opted to scrap their vessels will have to repay some of their compensation if they also received government subsidies during the enforced lay off resulting from the Prestige oil spill.
Hot pursuit of Uruguayan longliner poacher
A Uruguayan-flagged vessel suspected of poaching in Antarctic waters is under hot pursuit in the storm-lashed Southern Ocean by an Australian fisheries patrol boat, officials said Tuesday August 12. “Viarsa” was first spotted by the patrol boat Southern Supporter last Thursday near Heard and McDonald islands inside the Australian fishing zone about 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) south-west of the Australian mainland.
Federal funds rate unchanged at 1%
As was anticipated by Wall Street analysts the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 percent.
Holidays in the Falkland's?
It is probable that more people cross the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan each morning than ever visited the Falkland Islands since time began. However, the growth of cruise ship visits to the Falklands and the increased access provided by a commercial air link have meant that what seemed previously to be small exclusive club suddenly grown much bigger.
John AT Fowler - Manager - Falkland Islands Tourism Board.
