MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines :
No certainty as illex season begins; Rockhopper and Desire agree farm-in ?understanding'; Duvall release: public safety is ?paramount'; Liners cruising in.

No certainty as illex season begins.

THE illex squid season has now opened, however it is too early to say whether catches will be substantial, according to the Director of Fisheries. Forty-six of the seventy-five jiggers expected this season have now been in to Stanley to collect fishing licenses. The Falklands' illex season officially opened this week, however most vessels are continuing to fish on the high seas, where Dr John Barton says catches are, "...presumably higher at present." This is not unusual, he says, as it can be late February or even early March before the illex move into Falklands' zones, in a normal season. Catches in the illex fishery were disappointingly low last year and prompted the government to enforce strict budget measures. This year fingers are crossed in the hope the squid have returned to Falklands waters. A joint British/Argentine research cruise to assess squid stocks is now underway but Dr Barton says it is probably too early to draw many conclusions: "Some information should be available this time next week." He says oceanographic data from the current research trip of the Doradaindicates that water temperatures are warm, "...a bit like last year. "However, the Falklands' current appears to be stronger this year which may have some benefits." All in all, Dr Barton says, it is still a "bit early" to make any solid predictions.

 The Falklands played host to the Red Ensign Group Conference this week, an annual event held between the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and those UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies which maintain ship registers. More on page 3.

Rockhopper and Desire agree farm-in ?understanding'

OIL exploration and production company Rockhopper Exploration has signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with Desire Petroleum plc to farm-in to three wells to be drilled on Desire's acreage in Tranches C and D offshore the Falkland Islands. A spokesperson for Rockhopper said it is anticipated that the drilling programme will begin, "...within about a year." As a result of its planning contributions to Desire's exploration costs, Rockhopper will earn an interest in the licences of 7.5%, with an option to increase that stake by up to a further 7.5% by October 2005. Pierre Jungels, Executive Chairman of Rockhopper, commented, "This agreement will enable us to accelerate our exposure to drilling opportunities in the North Falkland Basin and broaden our portfolio significantly. "We look forward to working closely with Desire as we move towards the drilling programme itself." He continued, "This farm-in agreement is another step, further to our recent licence awards, in creating an exploration play covering substantial parts of the North Falkland Basin. "In addition, we continue to pursue other ways of building our portfolio by accessing further acreage both through negotiation with other licence holders and applications to the relevant authorities." Meanwhile, Desire Petroleum announced this week it will be raising more than £25 million to fund the three well drilling programme in tranches C and D. They will do this via a placing and open offer. Details on page 8.Also this week, Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd (FOGL) announced it has completed recording approximately 50% of the planned 10,500 km 2D seismic survey in its 83,000 sq km licence areas to the south and east of the Falkland Islands. 90% of the survey to date has been in the southern 33,000 sq km licence area where FOGL (77.5%) is in joint venture with Hardman Resources Ltd (22.5%). The balance of the survey to date has been in the northern licence area where FOGL holds 100% and this is the area that will be the focus of operations in March and April. The fully processed and interpreted results of the entire survey are expected to begin to be available about mid year. Dr Armstrong, Executive Chairman of FOGL, commented: "Although it is early days, the overall indications from the data we have received to date are encouraging. "We are looking forward to completing the balance of the survey and in due course fully assessing the results of this work."

Duvall release: public safety is ?paramount'

VISITING consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tim McInerny has assured public safety is of "paramount importance" in preparing for the May release of a convicted sex offender from prison. Kenneth Duvall (25) returned to the Falklands at the weekend following the completion of two years hospital treatment in the United Kingdom. He will serve the remainder of his sentence in Stanley. Mr Duvall's return was covered by the Sunday Mirror'sJustin Penrose who described Mr Duvall as "a pervert". The paper reported that he underwent only one year of a two year course of treatment in Britain and alleged the treatment cost £200,000 a year. Mr Duvall was in fact away for two years and Councillor Mike Summers confirmed this week the treatment cost around £125,000 per annum. The Sunday Mirrordescribed Falklands parents as "outraged" by Mr Duvall's return. Visiting consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tim McInerny, yesterday told Penguin News the Health and Police services are, "...committed to ensuring a safe Falklands community," and Mr Duvall's release in May will be fully monitored. He said Mr Duvall's treatment in the United Kingdom was necessary to ensure public safety and his return to the Islands was carefully planned by Health and Police Services in both the Falklands and the UK. Addressing public concerns about the release, Dr McInerny assured, "Public safety is of paramount importance. "Mr Duvall's rehabilitation into the community has been extensively planned by a professional multi-disciplinary team." He added that Mr Duvall will be receiving support and monitoring by experienced staff for the "indefinite future" and that Mr Duvall himself is, "...fully committed to this process."

Liners cruising in

THERE are a busy few days ahead for the cruise industry. Both Infinity (carrying approximately 1900 passengers) and Amsterdam (1200) will visit Stanley today. It's the turn of Andrea (70) and Marco Polo (537) on Sunday while Silver Shadow (354) will visit on Monday and Norwegian Crown(1100) on Tuesday.