MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Another example of efforts to damage the Falklands' economy”

“Argentina in 2005 unilaterally withdrew from that agreement to the detriment of both Falklands and Argentine fisheries”, claimed MLA Rendell.

The Falkland Islands government reacted strongly to statements by the Argentine official in charge of Malvinas affairs who claimed that “the theft of squid and other valuable fish stocks” in the South Atlantic, was the reason behind the success of the Islands' economy, according to a report from the Express.co.uk.

 In effect Daniel Filmus said a rise in GDP of the Falklands of 11%t in the last year was down to 'the theft of sea life' by trawlers operating nearby. “The illegal government of the Malvinas has sold licenses - approximately 206 licenses - to operate around the Malvinas and allows them steal the catch of illex argentinus and other valuable fish stocks.”

However the accusation ellicited a brusk response from Phyl Rendell, an elected member of the Legislative Assembly which rules the Falkland Islands, who branded the minister's portrayal of the fisheries industry “skewed”.

“It represents yet another example of efforts to damage the Falklands economy. Until 2005, there was bilateral fisheries co-operation between Argentina and the Falkland Islands, which facilitated research, exchanged data and stock management.

”This was particularly relevant to the Illex squid resource which is the biggest fishery and largest marine living resource in the Southwest Atlantic.

“Argentina unilaterally withdrew from that agreement to the detriment of both Falklands and Argentine fisheries.

”The Falkland Islands have a long history of responsible environmental stewardship, and we pride ourselves on protecting and safeguarding our unique environment and the natural resources therein“, underlined MLA Phyl Rendell.

The latest spat over fishing rights follows tensions between the UK and Argentina over sovereignty of the Falklands/Malvinas islands.

In a wide-ranging interview with an English-language Russian news website, Filmus accused Britain of ”militarising“ the south Atlantic, arguing ”Argentina is committed to settling the sovereignty dispute by peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of International Law, and bearing in mind the interests of the inhabitants“.

”On the contrary, the UK keeps on announcing increases in the military budget in the Malvinas islands, despite Latin America and Africa's rejection of militarisation in the South Atlantic“.

Last month, Britain accused Argentina of an illegal attack on oil companies after an Argentine judge demanded the seizure of assets worth £100million from firms operating near the Falkland Islands.

Buenos Aires is threatening to take cash, boats and other property from six European and US companies who are drilling in Falklands waters with Falklands' licenses.

But the British government offered a strong rebuke, saying Argentina was conducting a ”flagrant and unacceptable campaign to strangle the Falkland Islands hydrocarbons industry”.