
Despite desperate attempts from Argentina to deter potential investors and increased interference in Falkland Islands’ activities the objective of an economic blockade has not been achieved, said Governor Nigel Haywood on Wednesday in his ‘state of the nation’ annual speech to the Legislative Assembly.

Marking the International Day for Biological Diversity, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon highlighted on Tuesday the fragile state of the world’s oceans, urging greater protection for marine biodiversity.

Representatives from the Falkland Islands’ fishing industry travelled to Belgium last week to attend the Brussels Seafood Show.

Argentina fish and seafood industry exports have been paralyzed following industrial action from the maritime workers union which is demanding a round of salary and other benefits’ negotiations with the fishing companies located in Mar del Plata and Patagonian ports.

Uruguay fish exports increased 20% in volume and the average ton price 22%, with Brazil, China and Nigeria as the main markets during the twelve months of 2011, according to a release from the country’s Aquatic Resources Department, Dinara.

Argentina made a formal proposal to the UK for the establishment of direct flights from Argentina to the Falklands and to resume cooperation in the conservation of fishery resources in the South Atlantic, indicates a release posted on Tuesday in the Argentine Foreign Ministry site.

The announcement this week that the catches for the first loligo season for 2012 totaled 34,900 metric tones, equal to more than the entire catch for 2011, coincides with the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Falkland Island fishery.

Falkland Islands fishing companies had tons of reasons to be cheerful as the first Loligo squid season of 2012 drew to a close last weekend.

The Falkland Islands fishing industry must, “use it or lose it,” Director/Owner Beauchene Fishing Cheryl Roberts told the local weekly Penguin News referring to the Falklands containerisation link with the rest of the world.

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Mayor of Spain’s Algeciras Jose Ignacio Landaluce have both separately highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation and co-existence, in dealing with the complex issues related to Spanish fishing activity in Gibraltar waters.