MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries: Joint British/Argentine Survey.

A JOINT British Argentine research survey on illex squid began last week. The survey will use an Argentine research vessel. The British scientific delegation on board includes a scientist from Imperial College and Marianne Nyegaard, a Fisheries Observer from the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department. The vessel will sail into the northern part of the Falkland Islands Inner Conservation Zone and proceed northwards to the Argentine zone and then possibly on to the high seas before completion in Mar Del Plata. The survey will take approximately one month and aims to discover numbers of squid. "This provides a good index of whether it will be a strong year or a poor year," Director of Fisheries John Barton told Penguin News. He said, "It is good to get that information early on - if there aren't many squid around then there is the likelihood of early closure, and having to monitor the situation more closely is a distinct possibility..." The cost of the survey (the Falklands will pay half via HMG) will be £120,000 to £140,000.

Stanley Harbour line up for start of illex season.

SEVENTEEN million pounds should be collected in fishing licences from illex jiggers alone this season, Director of Fisheries John Barton stated this week. The illex jigging season began yesterday at 6pm. The day before (Wednesday) around twenty jiggers could be seen in Stanley Harbour awaiting their licences. Mr Barton told Penguin News, "Some of the jiggers came in even before Christmas to pick up licences, but the rush is this week - that's usually the way. They may not all start immediately as some go and fish on high seas until later in February, but if it is an early illex season then some may well start in Falklands waters." Asked if there had been any evidence of an early illex season, he said, "On the high seas there have been catches early on but there is no evidence in our waters yet of an early season." He said, "As last year there has been a full take up of licences - the year before last this did not happen. "Jiggers alone should pay about £17 million in licence fees. The cost of the illex jigging licence varies. If it is the first time they have purchased a licence then they pay mo