MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

19th. Meeting of South Atlantic Fisheries Committee

19th. Meeting of South Atlantic Fisheries CommitteeJoint Press Statement

1 The nineteenth meeting of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission took place in London on 14 and 15 June, 2001. The British delegation was led by the Head of the Overseas Territories Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Alan Huckle, and the Argentine delegation was led by Ambassador Santos Goni, Head of the Malvinas and South Atlantic Department, Foreign Ministry. The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere.

2 The British and Argentine delegations agreed that there applied to this meeting and its consequences the formula on sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas contained in Paragraph 2 of the Joint Declaration issued in Madrid, on 19 October 1989.

3 The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission welcomed the report of the Scientific Sub-Committee on its 17th meeting which was held in London on 12 and 13 June 2001. The Commission welcomed the continuing co-operation between INIDEP and Imperial College, which contributed to the Commission's understanding of the scientific aspects of the fisheries of significant species. It was pleased that both institutions had agreed to continue with the implementation of joint projects. The Commission agreed to recommend the Sub-Committee's proposals to both Governments.

4 Both delegations reaffirmed the importance they attach to ensuring the stability of fish stocks and reiterated the commitment of both Governments to the conservation of fish and squid stocks of the South West Atlantic. They recommended to both Governments the continuation of further scientific research in order to achieve a greater understanding of the most significant off-shore species in the area.

5 Both delegations reaffirmed their support for the Early Warning System, and acknowledged the need to carry out additional scientific work in order to improve it. The exchange of real-time data on fishing operations remained central to the operation of the system. The Commission agreed to recommend to both Governments that every effort be made to maintain a level of 40,000mt of Illex spawning stock biomass at the end of the fishing season in order to ensure stock sustainability. The Commission endorsed the r