MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Defence Force marches to victory; Falklands/Argentine scientists working together; No presidential visit; Island murder investigation; Bid farewell to Leeds Castle; Arrest made for child assault.

Defence Force marches to victory.

A TEAM from the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) has fought off stiff competition from twenty-five full-time military teams to take the top position in a March and Shoot competition hosted by the garrison at Mount Pleasant. The four, under the captainship of Corporal Tom Blake, were required to run a distance of twenty kilometers carrying approximately 29 pounds of equipment and to complete figure-eleven and figure-twelve target shoots and a falling plate shoot. The FIDF team had the fastest march time of the competition and gained third place in the shooting competition, securing the top overall position. Second overall was a team from the Roulement Infantry Company and third was a team from the Mechanical Transport Workshop. FIDF teams gained third and fifth place in the last march and shoot competition hosted by the British Forces in June. Comparing the two competitions, Corporal Blake said, "This one was probably easier in that it didn't include a climb up Mt Wickham but, because it was a known route and we only carried a light amount of weight, it was fairly fast. "It worked out to be as hard as other competitions because we had to travel at a faster rate." Asked if the team's local knowledge had put them at an advantage, Corporal Blake said, "The route was marked out so there was no navigation or selection of the best route involved; it was just a straight run from A to B and back. "So we didn't have a particular advantage."

The winning team. Pictured are (back) Major Peter Biggs, Private Stuart Doyle, (front) Corporal Tom Blake and Private Craig Paice

Falklands/Argentine scientists working together.

A JOINT Falklands/Argentine survey cruise studying Southern Blue Whiting is underway, aboard the fishery patrol vessel Dorada. Joint surveys have been carried out on an annual basis since September 1994. Early on, an Argentine vessel was used; however, recent surveys have used two vessels, with the Doradaparticipating for the last three years. Falkland's scientists participating are Dr Alexander Arkhipkin, Joost Pompert, Dr Lianos Triantafillos, Dr Vladimir Laptikhovsky, Sandra Cordes and Michael Hattersley. Additionally there are two Argentine scientists on board. The cruise will last for approximately three weeks, ending around September 23. The Director of Fisheries, Dr John Barton said the purpose of the cruise is to try to determine the biomass of the Southern Blue Whiting stock. "Previously this has relied on an acoustic survey, where a sound pulse is used to assess the quantity of fish. "This year the Doradais doing a more extended trawl survey to assess the distribution and abundance of Blue Whiting. The survey design has been changed as the acoustic surveys have only found a proportion of the Blue Whiting stock." Dr Barton said that later in September the Argentine research vessel Dr Eduardo Holmberg should undertake the standard acoustic survey. "The results can be combined with the results of the Dorada'ssurvey and will also provide continuity in the series of acoustic surveys. "The Dorada and the Holmberg should meet up and two of our scientists will be transferred to the Holmbergfor the duration of their cruise." Dr Barton said the main area of the research is in the South and Southwest of Falklands fishery zones and in the south of the Argentine zone. "The Doradahas also been working to the north of the Falklands, as significant quantities of Blue Whiting are taken to the northeast of East Falkland." He said the programme has been hampered somewhat this year by unfavorable weather including several days of gales.

News in brief

No presidential visit.

THE Chilean president is not planning to visit the Falklands during the coming summer. Last week MercoPress reported that President Ricardo Lagos had been invited aboard the inaugural cruise of converted naval ship Antarctic Dreamwhen it called in to the Falklands in November. However Debbie Summers of Sulivan Shipping Services Ltd says the itinerary for Antarctic Dream'sNovember cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula does not include a stop in the Falklands. The ship is due to visit the Islands in March.

Island murder investigation.

AN investigation continues into the murder of Ryan Thomas on St Helena earlier this year. According to Stuart Moors of the St Helena Herald, forensic scientists are still compiling the case, "...and a trial date can't be set until they are ready, the judge is on-island and the UK barristers can be here." Meanwhile the two accused remain in custody. Jeremy Thomas and Colin Philips were formally charged on June 19 at a specially convened court session.

Bid farewell to Leeds Castle.

HMS Leeds Castlewill pay her final visit to Stanley on Monday morning. At 11.00am the ship will sail down Stanley Harbour and turn opposite Government House before leaving through the Narrows for the final time. The Civil Liaison Officer, Major Marc Brennan is urging members of the public to gather near the Liberation Monument to wave HMS Leeds Castle off.

Arrest made for child assault.

THE police are investigating an allegation of serious sexual assault of a child. A police spokesperson yesterday confirmed that an individual has been arrested in connection with the matter.