MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America News.

A "brave" man.

Described as a "brave" man for having accepted the job, Horacio Rieznik became this week Argentina's Director of Fisheries, one of the "hottest" and most unattractive posts in the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretary. Mr. Rieznik with a vast experience in the private sector announced he plans a complete review of the industry, targeting for produce with brand names, proper labelling and origin identification, and greater added commercial value. "We must undergo a process similar to that of Argentine wineries that has been so successful; now we can find Argentine labelled and identified wines in the top world shops and restaurants", indicated Mr. Rieznik. "It took us a long time to find a man with the conditions of Mr. Rieznik, and who is equidistant from all the interests in this industry", pointed out Argentine Agriculture Secretary Antonio Berhongaray during the taking office ceremony. "It's not going to be easy, we've committed too many mistakes, human not arbitrary mistakes, and much less with any vested interest in mind", admitted Mr. Berhongaray. The almost collapse of the hake fishery, Argentina's main product, which forced a catch ban, has left the whole industry in a critical situation. Mr. Rieznik who was manager of the fish industry Alpesca from 1978 to 1992, promised to have a strategic plan ready in the next few months and anticipated he will also promote fish farming, such as salmon and other species. Mr. Rieznik's predecessor, former mayor of Bahía Blanca Juan Carlos Cabirón resigned after two months in the job alleging "all sorts of pressures". The new Argentine Fisheries Director was accompanied during the ceremony by a rabbi who prayed for God's inspiration in helping meet success and avoiding mistakes.

Antarctic tourism.

Promising to promote "responsible tourism", so that the fragile Antarctic eco-system will not be affected, the International Association of Antarctica Tourism Operators, IAATO, ended their annual meeting in Hobart, celebrating the opening of a new air route from Australia to the Antarctic continent. IAATO president, Denise Landau indicated this is "a great challenge for tourist operat