MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Arrested Falklands vessel in Comodoro Rivadavia

Falkland Islands flagged “John Cheek” arrived Tuesday afternoon to Comorodo Rivadavia escorted by the Argentine Coast Guard and is forecasted to have to remain at least two weeks before her situation is cleared.

According to Argentine naval authorities the vessel was caught early Monday red-handed poaching in Argentine waters, 198 miles from Comorodo Rivadavia, but the Falklands' company Petrel Trawling Ltd and Spanish associates insist "John Cheek" was outside the EEZ and in permanent satellite position monitoring.

La Nacion reports that following normal procedure several Argentine government departments are now involved in the information gathering of the controversial incident, Customs, Coast Guard, Animal and Food Health Service, Migration.

Eduardo Emilio Coutinho, head of Comodoro Rivadavia Coast Guard Operations said that once the investigation is concluded all the information will be sent to the Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretary which will then decide on the fine.

"This (investigation) could take at least two weeks", estimated Mr. Coutinho adding that much will also depend on the owners' attitude, "whether they appeal or not the decision".

The fine is estimated could range between 100.000 and one million pesos (33.000 and 333.000 US dollars).

"John Cheek" had 100 tons of squid and hake on board, --now seized-- when she was boarded by a team from the Coast Guard vessel "Fique".

However Mr. Coutinho said no legal actions will be taken against the captain or the crew of the vessel since "there was no resistance. They all collaborated at all times so the current procedure is merely administrative".

The vessel is under the command of Captain Jaime Cortizo Riva and has a crew of 31, half of which from Galicia and the rest Chilean and Peruvians.

In Galicia the head of the fishermen's union Muñiz Ríos said he had been in telephone contact with Captain Cortizo Riva who insisted the arrest had been done "outside the Argentine 200 miles EEZ".

Furthermore the "John Cheek" has a permanent satellite tracking system "which shows and records at all time the vessel's position", added Mr. Muñiz Ríos.

The Spanish union leader attributed the incident to the "permanent conflict" between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands contention.

For the Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry, "John Cheek" committed two infringements, illegal fishing and flying a flag "which Argentina does not recognize".

Apparently Argentina is considering presenting a formal complaint to the United Kingdom government once the administrative investigation has been concluded.