MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine official adamant with “John Cheek” effect

“There should be no concessions for fishing companies operating in the Falklands and Argentina”, argues the province of Buenos Aires Deputy Fisheries Secretary Oscar Fortunato.

Interviewed by Pescare.com, Mr. Fortunato said he was openly in favour of tightening "affairs related to the Falklands/Malvinas", adding that there can be "no concessions for those who operate with two faces" in the South Atlantic.

The companies mentioned as involved in the "double play" are Pescapuerta, Pereira, Frieremar and Pescanova, all from Vigo and with associates in the Falkland Islands.

"By taking fishing licences extended by the British, they are ignoring Argentine sovereignty over the Islands", he highlighted.

Mr. Fortunato said he supported the idea of taking away the (Argentine) fishing licences from those companies, when they commit unauthorized irruptions in Argentine EEZ.

"Such is the case of "John Cheek" from Pescapuerta, the vessel registered in the Falklands and which was arrested by the Argentine Coast Guard last February 10", adds Mr. Fortunato.

"As far as I know and by what I've talked with Federal Fisheries Deputy Secretary Gerardo Nieto, the government is determined to severely sanction those responsible in that poaching incident".

However Mr. Fortunato admits that the ambiguous relation between commercial interests and the sovereignty rights issue was also experienced in Mar del Plata.

Several fishing vessels with Falklands' licences have been in for repairs and maintenance work in the province of Buenos Aires main fishing port.

"Such is the case of the Korean jigger "77 Doo An", also recently arrested by the Argentine Navy".

"The owners of the vessels drop their Falklands' licence so they can call in Mar del Plata for different services, and then return for the licence. It's formal cheating".