MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Breaking News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines:
Lagos campaigning in Magallanes; Benthonic survey to tap Magallanes resources; Chilean Antarctic Institute HQ in Punta Arenas; Magallanes trade with EU jumped 31%; Minke whale sighted in Magellan Strait; Belfast Queen's University in Punta Arenas.

Lagos campaigning in Magallanes

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos is expected this week in Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas where he's scheduled to inaugurate public works and visit several schools. Mr. Lagos visited the region last January when he accompanied Spanish King Juan Carlos to the Antarctic. Contrary to other occasions the presidential program has been kept rather low key because there's a labour conflict with stevedores who have been protesting the contracting of non union members. Some of them have been accused in court for attacking with fish refuse and damaging equipment in the office of a maritime agency. However Punta Arenas press speculates that President Lagos visit is better explained by the coming municipal elections to be held in Chile next October. "Last year I visited 126 counties and I will continue to visit each county of the country, whether elections or no elections, because I must listen to the people and govern Chile. And this I will continue to do until March 11, 2006", said President Lagos in one of his recent regional visits. Actually the coming October municipal elections will be only a year's distance from the national elections when Chileans will be voting for a new Congress and Mr. Lagos successor.

Benthonic survey to tap Magallanes resources

Magallanes Region Senator Jose Ruiz de Giorgio who now chairs the Chilean Senate Fisheries Committee has promised funds for a benthonic survey of the region. The purpose is to have sufficient data regarding fisheries resources which would then help discover alternatives for coastal fishermen. "A proper benthonic survey will help coastal fishermen understand the importance of resources conservation and will give the industry knowledge of seasonal extraction and the necessary bans that must be imposed on occasions", explained Senator Ruiz de Giorgio. "We know it's a region rich in benthonic resources but distances are too great, making the proper management of fisheries difficult. The survey should also improve coordination between the private and public sectors", added Mr. Ruiz de Giorgio. The project is planned as a joint effort with the University of Magallanes and the Chilean National Fisheries Service. No date was given for the start of the research.

Chilean Antarctic Institute HQ in Punta Arenas

A scientific research vessel and better coordination with universities were among the requests of the Director of the Chilean Antarctic Institute last week during the inauguration of the main offices of the organization in Punta Arenas. Jose Retamales said that the research vessel was needed to broaden Chilean operations in the Antarctic and to attract young talents to the wonderful adventure of discovering the still greatly unexplored potential of the region. Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister, Soledad Alvear present at the ceremony, (since Antarctic operations depend from her office) underlined that moving the Antarctic Institute Secretariat from Santiago to Punta Arenas was proof of the government's commitment with Antarctica and a clear example of decentralization. "The growing tourist interest and the link with bases in Antarctica, plus the ongoing research seem to justify the challenge of having a research vessel, as was pointed out by Mr. Retamales", said Ms. Alvear emphasizing on Chile's international cooperation commitments in the region. Mr. Retamales also announced that beginning this year the Institute will promote Antarctic competition tests in the northern schools of the country, and the winners will be flown to visit Chilean bases and stations in Antarctica. A similar program, extending from infant schools to university will be implemented in Magallanes Region with the invitation extensive to the winning groups. "With our main offices in Magallanes region, Punta Arenas has become the capital of Chilean Antarctica", highlighted Mr. Retamales. During the inauguration it was revealed that the Magallanes Region government was seriously thinking of taking over the administration of the Antarctic base Arturo Prat which the Chilean Navy is closing down because of lack of funds. Similarly the Chilean Air Force alleging shortage of funds has requested that the management of the Eduardo Frei base be funded directly by the central government. The main offices of the Chilean Antarctic Institute are now located in the former Edwards Bank building next to the city's main square.

Magallanes trade with EU jumped 31%

The first year of the free trade agreement between Chile and the European Union has meant a general 18% increase in trade with Magallanes Region benefiting the most, 31%, indicated Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Soledad Alvear. "Magallanes leads in trade expansion with Europe which reflects the potentiality of the region, plus the other cooperation benefits", said Ms. Alvear during a brief visit to Punta Arenas. Ms. Alvear also highlighted the fact that the world's ninth economy, South Korea "had chosen Chile as partner for a free trade agreement that becomes effective next April 1". Among the Magallanes produce that has attracted most foreign demand Ms. Alvear named sea food, lamb (with exports to Europe jumping 47% in 2003) and certain types of wood shipped to the United States.

Minke whale sighted in Magellan Strait

A minke whale was sighted last Friday in the Magellan Strait by four scientists from the Chilean Antarctic Institute and Quaternary Studies Centre during a research cruise. Anelio Aguayo head of the research team said the minke whale was 30 kilometres south of Punta Arenas, in eight meters deep waters and only fifty meters off shore. The scientists first believed it was some other specimen but they later confirmed it was a Balaenoptera bonaerensis, which was peacefully feeding or resting along the coast before returning to the main channel. She was followed for over an hour by the "Chonos" research cruise before loosing sight of her. Mr. Aguayo said this is the first time ever a minke whale has been sighted in the Magellan Strait. "Minke whales are the most numerous in the Southern hemisphere; they can measure between 7 and 10 meters and weigh 5 to ten tons", said Mr. Aguayo adding that this is the specimen hunted by the Japanese for "scientific research". During the week long cruise scientists on board the "Chonos" also sighted 21 humped whales in the proximity of the island Carlos III.

Belfast Queen's University in Punta Arenas

With the purpose of promoting scientific cooperation the University of Magallanes and the Queen's University from Belfast signed an academia assistance agreement this week in Punta Arenas. Among the several points of the agreement signed by Victor Fajardo from UMAG and Jim Mac Adam from Queen's is academics exchange and cooperation extensive to Scientific Research Departments. The agreement also includes visits and exchange of graduate students, common research projects and exchange of information. However all financial outlays must be negotiated case by case and will depend on the availability of funds.