MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Conservation important for both Argentine & Falklands Fishery, says Falklands Fisheries Director

According to the Falklands Director of Fisheries John Barton, an agreement on the conservation of fish stocks in the South Atlantic which will be beneficial to both Argentine & the Falkland Islands, remains a priority when a meeting of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission (SAFC) begins in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

He said, "We must somehow work together on this issue, as far too many small squid are being caught on the high seas before the season officially opens, and this is damaging both our and the Argentine economy. We must concentrate on conservation on the high seas and in particular to protect the Illex Argentinus squid species. This would be of great value to both sides".

Attempts to persuade the Argentine Government to enter into a long-term fisheries agreement, through the SAFC have repeatedly failed, over the years.

The last meeting of the SAFC took place in London in July, and according to Mr Barton, "Steady progress has been made in some areas, but little related to high seas fishing", which is disappointing". He said that several agreed joint scientific cruises, exploring the blue whiting fish species, have taken place since the London meeting. "Five Argentine scientists travelled to the Falklands and joined our patrol ship the 'Dorada' in Port Stanley, and undertook research with our scientists, in a successful venture. Two joint scientific cruises took place on our ship and one on their ship", said the Falklands Director of Fisheries.

Asked to comment on recent reports in the Buenos Aires press that the continued success of the well-managed Falklands fishery had damaged the Argentine economy, Mr Barton quickly pointed out that, "There is a huge fishery regime in Argentina and in comparison just a large fishery in the Falklands".

Currently the Falkland Islands Government enjoys an annual income of around $US 30 millions from its fishing industry. Since 1987, when, through fishing revenue the Islands became financially autonomous, a new $US 20 millions secondary school has been constructed, along with 500 miles of new roads, several hundred new dwellings, a new radio station, water filtration plant, and a $US 5 millions modern extension to the Infant/Junior School. Medical services are free to the population and the Falklands Government funds all College and University education in Britain for the Islands students.

The forthcoming SAFC meting in Buenos Aires will on this occasion only run for two days, as much to the disappointment of Mr Barton, there will be no scientific meeting preceding the formal session. "There is no political reason for this, it is simply a situation where there is a lack of scientists available to participate on this occasion", explained John Barton.

"It's true to say that we have not made as much progress, since our last meeting in London, as we should have done, so I am hoping that following this meeting we will move rapidly in the right direction to protect the fish stocks of both Argentina and the Falklands", he said.

The British delegation in Buenos Aires will be led by Mr Michael Richardson of the Foreign Office. It is unsure as to whether the British Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Sir Robin Christopher, will attend the meeting at any time over the two days.