MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Strong interest for Falklands' squid licenses, despite poor catches in 2016
MLA Phyl Rendell noted that in the past such poor seasons have been followed by much reduced interest in licenses, but happily this is not the case for 2017 
The aggregate calamari target catch for 2016 was 45,705 tonnes; a median total (seventh of the past 15 years). Despite a dismal last season for Illex fishing in the Falkland Islands, with very low catches, interest in licenses for the coming season is holding up and the process is likely to be oversubscribed, confirmed MLA Phyl Rendell last week.
She noted that in the past such poor seasons have been followed by much reduced interest in licenses, but happily this is not the case for 2017. “Some of the previous high catches are likely to be a factor, although the clear refund policy is also a factor.”
MLA Rendell also assured: “The requirement for compliance on vessel standards, operating practices, crew care and welfare has again been impressed on all those involved in the industry. This will be reinforced through the licensing process.”
Both Falkland calamari fishing seasons were open for the scheduled duration in 2016, she said, “signaling a return to normal conditions after the unusual Illex invasion of the fishery in 2015.”
The first season was characterized by late immigration of the bulk of the calamari biomass, so that the size averages of squid caught were small. The second season obtained generally modest catches, until a strong, exception-ally late immigration occurred on October 1. The aggregate calamari target catch for 2016 was 45,705 tonnes; a median total (seventh of the past 15 years).
Additionally 2016 had a continuation of the relatively high hake catches and the continued poor performance of the rockcod fishery. The changing proportions of species in the finfish fishery are presenting challenges to fishery managers and fishermen alike, explained MLA Rendell. (Penguin News)
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsinteresting point, but I doubt if the squid will be bothered.
Dec 02nd, 2016 - 01:25 pm +4“interest in licenses for the coming season is holding up and the process is likely to be oversubscribed,”
Dec 02nd, 2016 - 06:31 pm +3This is brought about by TMBOA dictating to the argy boats to overfish the sea to destroy the squid on their way to the Falklands.
Thankfully, all it did was to destroy argy squid stocks. Oh, the irony of it. :o)
Just a point about the differences between UK English and American English. In UK English the noun for licence is spelled with a “c” whereas the verb to license is spelled with an “s”. I often notice in articles related to defence that the Mercopress journalist spells defence (UK English) as defense (American English). Perhaps he/she should alter his spell check to the UK English version rather than the American English version when writing about matters relating to the Falkland Islands.
Dec 02nd, 2016 - 11:42 am +1Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!