The Falkland Islands government issued a release on Tuesday announcing the “clean” conditions vessels entering territorial waters for the 2021 fishing season must meet, basically a minimum of two weeks quarantining at sea, no Covid-19 cases on board, and no crew members with Covid-19 symptoms.
As a result of Covid-19 impacts and restrictions the Falkland Islands' Department of Agriculture has redirected surplus funds towards a salary for a third Agricultural Advisor. Director of Natural Resources Andrea Clausen told the Agricultural Advisory Committee that the move had been made in light of the high workload on the current Advisors, particularly with the need to support the investigation of Responsible Wool Handling and of businesses managing a future of lower wool and red meat prices due to uncertainties in the world market, the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit.
The Falkland Islands' second Loligo season this year has had an “exceptional start” the Director of Natural Resources Dr. Andrea Clausen told the Fisheries Committee last Thursday.
A total of 62,000 tons of illex squid was taken during the first four months of 2020, which was above the average over the last four years reported the Falklands Islands Director of Natural Resources Dr. Andrea Clausen, at Thursday’s meeting of the Fisheries Committee.
The Falkland Islands are expecting some 105 jiggers to take the Illex licenses, which is a “normal” number for the season while preliminary results anticipate an abundant catch. “The usual” 105 jiggers plus one trawler has accepted the Illex license offers, confirmed earlier in the week Director of Natural Resources Dr Andrea Clausen.
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and the Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association (FIFCA) have agreed an Accord to underpin the future of the industry. The Accord acknowledges that the Falkland Islands has a strong commitment to quality, sustainability and the environment.
A UK/Falklands-Argentina meeting of the South Atlantic Scientific Sub-Committee scheduled for January is “unlikely” to take place, the Falklands lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman told Penguin News. The prospect of this happening and “taking Britain out of the comfort zone enjoyed” until now, had been advanced by Mercopress.
A detailed assessment is to be carried out into the potential development of an aquaculture industry in the Falkland Islands, it was announced by the government. The proposal is at a very early stage and the Falkland Islands Government needs to improve its understanding of the industry before making a commitment to any go-ahead.
The Falkland Islands Government has announced the appointment of Dr Andrea Clausen as the new Director of Natural Resources. Andrea is due to take up her post in October 2019 and will be working with John Barton to ensure that there is a unified approach to the handover of duties across the agriculture, fisheries and veterinary departments. This appointment comes following a comprehensive search and selection process.
“Extremely competitive” is how MLA Barry Elsby, speaking to Penguin News this week, described indicative fares for the new flight to Sao Paulo from the Falklands, beginning November 6.