MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' aquaculture development project

Falkland Islands Aquaculture Development Manager, Brendan Gara has 18 months left of his contract and
thinks it would be a good idea to introduce someone who will benefit from 12 months training rather
than to keep bringing consultants in.

Mr Gara presented his proposed programme for a National Aquaculture Strategy over the next three years to the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) last week.

Infrastructure will be the biggest cost, Mr Gara told the board. He said that sheds and a couple of poly-tunnels are needed so that some background work can be carried out, "rather than working from the back of a Land Rover."

Mr Gara has produced a lengthy two part report which essentially delivers the message that, "aquaculture development in the Falklands should progress by practical, project led investigation and demonstration of the most realistic opportunities."

He said this approach, "creates the foundations for infrastructure and local expertise required for the future." According to Mr Gara the key things for anybody interested, is that the two reports constitute a, "...proposed programme for developing aquaculture in the Falklands through following, initially, six projects.

"By following the projects we should develop a broad base of experience, training, infrastructure, find out about the suitability of aquaculture options here, and also obtain knowledge that will be useful in expanding to commercial scale ventures."

The ideas outlined in the reports have been developed over the last five months after consulting with a wide range of people in the Falklands. Mr Gara said he would "welcome any comment anybody has about them". ( Penguin News )