MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America breaking news.

Quota system review

An in depth review of the whole fisheries catch quota system is currently underway in Argentina. Last week the Federal Fisheries Council in a follow up of the December 1997 Fisheries Bill, particularly Article 27, enacted regulations establishing guidelines and requirements when applying for quotas. New forms in diskettes will be distributed to the different companies, that will have 60 days to return them. On the basis of this information the Argentine Fisheries authority plans to keep proper files on each of the applicants. Meanwhile Fisheries authorities continue to review standing fishing licences, a job that is being done in coordination with the Buenos Aires University Law School, following an agreement signed and financed by the Federal Fisheries Council. Although no details have been disclosed, Fisheries sources have said that of a total 350 fishing permits reviewed so far, shortcomings have been found in 30% of them, involving both fresh and freezer vessels. According to current Fisheries authorities, since the enactment in January 1998 of the 1997 Fisheries Bill, which remained unregulated until July '99, continuous delays and strong lobbies have prevented an appropriate management of Argentina's fisheries. "We inherited a complicated quota system, an oversized fleet and too many processing plants", said a Fisheries source, "so it will take time to sort things out and make long term plans".

Pivcevic supports Aero Continente

Alex Pivcevic, the CEO of the Punta Arenas airline DAP that once flew regularly to the Falklands openly supports Aero Continente, a Peruvian airline that is in the middle of an air rates battle with Chilean companies flying Santiago-Punta Arenas. Recalling his own experience when DAP chartered a Boeing 727 to fly from Santiago, to Punta Arenas and then to the Islands, Mr. Pivcevic said "once again the big companies are teaming together because they don't accept a third party, just as happened with us". In 1996/97 after offering competitive rates for flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas, DAP was forced out of the market by Lan Chile and Ladeco combined efforts, and almost went broke. DAP first filed a dump