MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Impact assessment needed for high seas area

Recovering an otter trawl aboard

The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department has been preparing its case for the continued allowance of controlled trawling on the high seas.

A report prepared by a Russian laboratory assessing the biodiversity of the high seas areas of the South West Atlantic was considered by the Fisheries Committee at its meeting last week. In 2006 moves were made by EU and UK agencies to prohibit bottom trawling in the area in question, as there is no official management in place. However, Councillor Andrea Clausen said the Falklands monitors the fishing its flagged vessels carry out on the high seas; each ship is obligated to report back daily on its catches. The loss of access to this part of the high seas would have economic consequences for the Falklands. The Director of Fisheries, John Barton, reported that it looks as if bottom trawling might be able to continue, providing some specific conditions are met. In particular, he said, there needs to be an assessment to show that there is limited impact on biodiversity/vulnerable habitats in the area. Also discussed at the meeting was exploratory long-lining for kingclip carried out by a Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (CFL) longliner. Mr Barton reported that a total of 210 metric tonnes of fish had been taken; 30% of this was kingclip and the remainder was mainly skate. He concluded that it was difficult to see a dedicated fishery by trawl or longline being successful. (PN)