MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: Fisheries research vessel chosen

FOLLOWING a successful tender process, Executive Council agreed to recommend to Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that the Falkland Islands registered trawler, Castelo, should be contracted to provide fisheries research facilities to the Government Fisheries Department.

Subject to SFC approval, the contract would provide for up to 42 days use of the vessel annually, for five years, at a cost of £497,500 per annum, with the charter rates being set for the first three years, whereas the cost of fuel may vary.

Tom Blake, Stanley Manager of the vessel’s owners, Ferralenes Ltd, said that if the recommendation was accepted by SFC and the contract duly signed, he would expect

the Castelo to be deployed in the service of the Fisheries department, this October, at the end of the second Loligo season.

Galfishing Ltd, a sister company to Ferralenes Ltd will continue to provide fisheries protection services with the vessel Protegat. Penguin News