MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands fishing licences “based on what market stands”
Barton “said the system has worked well for 20 years” Falkland Islands fishing licence fees are high because “...it has always been in everyone's interest to maximise revenue; what is raised is based on what the market can stand,” Government Director of Fisheries John Barton told Mercopress Wednesday, in response to local grumbling at the possibility of another increase in loligo licence fees.
A paper is to be placed before the Falkland Islands Executive Council proposing a number of options in relation to loligo fees, ranging from keeping the price as it is, to increasing it by ten, twenty or even thirty percent. Some Falklands fishing entrepreneurs have objected to the latter, pointing out recent increases in costs for fuel and freight charges. In fact an increase in fuel prices for ships was announced Wednesday by the Falklands single supplier, local business Stanley Services Limited. Speaking to the Islands radio station today, Argos Fishing Company Manager, Drew Irvine, noted that local fishing companies already contribute a great deal also to the Islands taxes as well as paying the fees. Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) loligo ownership fees levied 3.26 million pounds for the Falkland Islands Government last year. Mr Barton said, "Conditions are such that I think Executive Council will want to look at options for an increase but information presented by the industry relating to how fees are calculated will also be looked at." He said, "I think all options set are plausible but arguments in favour or against have to be taken into account." Although ownership fees for loligo were not increased last season they were increased by 30% the year before. High demand for licences in the early years of the Falklands fishery meant the government never auctioned licences (which would have allowed the market to shape the value) instead a complex administrative procedure set prices based on what it was felt the market could bear, balanced against what was attractive to the fisheries sector. Fishery licences in the Falkland Islands have always been at the higher end of what is levied for fees, Mr Barton confirmed, adding, "The system has worked well for twenty years with those fees." Speaking of the unhappiness within the domestic fishery business, he allowed,"there may be a discussion to be had; after all the fishery sector must be encouraged to develop?" By Lisa Johnston – SeAled PR - Stanley
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