MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina admits Falklands' “tightening” policy

In another twist of its tightening policy towards the Falkland Islands the Argentine government said it expects Argentine flagged jiggers to begin catching in the South Atlantic high seas before the official squid season starts next February, reports Clarin in the Wednesday edition.

The recommendation is that at least twenty, (out of a hundred) Argentine vessels compete in the 200 miles plus zone with Asian jiggers during January, when the bulk of squid migrates to Argentina and Falklands' EEZ.

According to sources from the Argentine Foreign Affairs Secretary, quoted by Clarin, the strategy is part of the "tightening" policy towards the Falklands because of the 25 year fishing licences, instead of the traditional annual system, that the Islands government plans to issue.

Clarin alleges that most of these Asian jiggers then move into the Falklands' EEZ since they have Islands licences.

Clarin also recalls that in July 2003 several Asian jiggers that had been spotted fishing illegally in Argentina's EZZ, managed to escape and were later seen catching with Falklands' licences.

However is spite of the official Argentine policy of competing for each squid in the South Atlantic, the Argentine industry is not entirely convinced about the effectiveness of the high seas squid catching recommendation, adds Clarin.

San Martin Palace officials also admitted to Clarin that Argentina is going ahead with the December 12 resolution from the Federal Fishing Council urging tougher sanctions on any foreign vessel caught operating inside Argentine waters.

It also recommends that when Argentina can't punish those fishing vessels actually violating Argentine laws, that punishment be extended to those linked to them, --even indirectly-- be it physical or legal persons.

"A measure largely aimed at Spanish fishing companies that operate with both Argentine and other flagged vessels".