MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Record cruise numbers forecast; ?Same immigration law for all'; Bullying investigation; Parliamentarians to visit; Endurance. in Buenos Aires.

Teens' green mission

TEN of the students taking part in the sixth form programme at the Community School have spent five days working on a conservation project at Elephant Beach Farm. The aim of the project was to extend the tussac plantation that is now flourishing on the north coast, clean up an area by the pond that had previously been used as a rubbish dump and complete a number of breeding bird surveys of the area. More next week.Pictured above are: Karl Chaloner, Ali Liddle of Falklands Conservation, Karen Minto, April Pettersson, Erica Berntsen, Gabi Ross, Jane Goss, Dana Morrison, Kim Buckett, Carol Goss and volunteer Zoran Zuvic.

Record cruise numbers forecast

THE cruise ship season officially kicks off this weekend with the arrival of Nordnorgein Stanley on Sunday. Nordnorgeis just one of over 40 vessels that will visit the Islands during the 2006-07 season; she will bring 260 passengers during her visit on Sunday. It's a busy season ahead with more than 200 cruise ship visits scheduled. The largest vessel will be the Golden Princesswhich can cater for 3,100 passengers and will visit Stanley on January 29, 2007. Figures released by Customs and Immigration reveal that the Islands can expect approximately 55,000 cruise ship visitors in the coming season (excluding crew members), of which 6,000 will visit Camp. Liz Dimmlich of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board commented, "If these figures are achieved, this will represent an increase of over 10,000 cruise ship visitors, or 18%, on 2005-06 numbers." The government's Passenger Levy is expected to earn more than £600,000 for the 2006/07 financial year. The top five destinations to be visited by cruise ships this season will be Stanley (102 visits), Carcass Island (32 visits), New Island (31 visits), West Point Island (18 visits) and Sea Lion Island (8 visits). Liz said the Tourist Board is excited about the opportunities in the season ahead, and has lengthened opening hours at the Jetty Visitor's Centre in anticipation of a rush for tourism information. "In addition to the normal opening hours (below), the Jetty Visitor's Centre will open earlier and later on cruise ship days to cater for these visitors. Please contact Stephanie Middleton on 22215 for further information regarding the Centre." ? The Jetty Visitor's Centre is open on Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, on Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

?Same immigration law for all'

THE Falklands Wool Co-operative, like anyone else, will need to comply with the law on immigration when filling its vacancies, Councillor Robertson has said. However, she added, the mechanics of how it will manage its staffing arrangements, "will be a matter for them," and not for government members or the staff of the Development Corporation. Penguin Newscontacted Cllr Robertson after readers expressed concern that immigration requirements were being ignored in the recruitment of a wool trader for the Wool Co-op. Cllr Robertson commented, "We are all aware that the business plan which forms the basis of the Co-operative, and has been used to market the plan to farmers, has been developed by David Lambert. As such he would appear to be the most logical person to employ to implement it. "If this is the way the Co-op wishes to proceed, they will need to discuss the correct processes with the Principle Immigration Officer who can refer them to the appropriate sections of the Immigration Ordinance." She added that, according to the Immigration Ordinance, jobs may be required to be advertised locally but it is not an absolute requirement. "The Principle Immigration Officer will no doubt inform the Co-op what procedures they will need to follow, and what is possible within the Ordinance."

Bullying investigation

AN investigation is being conducted into an allegation of bullying within the police force. Chief Executive Chris Simpkins yesterday said a complaint alleging bullying has been made by a serving officer against another and he confirmed it is being investigated, "...in accordance with established procedures."

Parliamentarians to visit

A GROUP of British Members of Parliament are due to visit the Falklands from November 3 to 9. The names and parties of those making the journey have yet to be confirmed.

Endurance in Buenos Aires

THE Royal Navy's Ice Patrol vessel HMS Enduranceis in Buenos Aires on a goodwill visit before heading south for the 2006/07 Antarctic season, the Argentine press has reported. This is the third time this year that HMS Endurancehas visited Argentina. In March she went into the naval base of Puerto Belgrano for repairs to her main rudder but had to remain longer than expected because of a labour conflict involving civil personnel from the navy, including dry dock workers. According to the press in Argentina, Captain Nick Lambert's agenda in Buenos Aires includes contacts with Argentine naval authorities, plus an official reception on board to commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar. Endurance arrives in the Falklands on October 27 for resupply and unloading at Mare Harbour, then heads south on the 31st. She is due to visit Stanley at the end of November. (MP/PN)

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