Christmas lights were switched on this week in the Falkland Islands capital, the City of Stanley. It was rather late, around 10pm because it's so near midsummer in the South Atlantic and in the Falklands that means light until late. Finally feeling festive!
On Tuesday 28 November 2023 a black-browed albatross, that was found dead on Steeple Jason, was swabbed for highly pathogenic avian influenza. A positive result was returned.
The Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) proudly commemorates 75 years of service to the Falkland Islands, showcasing a rich history of connecting communities, transporting passengers, and supporting various essential functions.
The Falkland Islands patrol vessel HMS Forth, has paid a visit to the island of South Georgia, where it met some of its permanent residents, penguins and seals, to look after their well being and the environment.
In a significant step towards supporting marine conservation efforts in the South Atlantic, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has announced the successful transition of ownership of Pharos Marine Limited (part of the Falklands based Byron group) to Workboat Services Limited, WBS, ensuring the continued operational presence of the vessel MV Pharos SG in the South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Maritime Zone.
Argentine foreign minister, Diana Mondino has named Paola Di Chiaro, an academic with a political science background, involved with domestic maritime think tank issues, and linked to German Christian Democrat foundation Konrad Adenauer, as the new head of the Malvinas Islands Secretariat.
The Government of the United Kingdom, and democratically elected Governments of the British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Ascension, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and Turks and Caicos Islands met on 14 to 15 November 2023 to decide the following Joint Declaration.
Following the approval at ExCo on Tuesday 12 December, the Falkland Islands Government will now be able to provide details on a support scheme designed specifically to mitigate the effects of site closures associated with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, on tourism businesses, operators and employees until 31 March 2024.
The following release refers to a piece published in the Penguin News, December 8/2023, page 3, “Catches and changes to ITQ fees at Fisheries meeting”. The Falkland Islands Fisheries Companies Association, FIFCA note with dismay and real concern the announcement regarding ITQ fees for 2024.
“If there is a people who are victims of colonialism, to whom the principle of self-determination can be applied, it is the Argentine people,” says Facundo D. Rodriguez (*). The following is a letter Mr. Rodriguez sent to The Guardian in reply to the piece by columnist Simon Jenkins, Argentine firebrand president elect Javier Milei is right in one thing, British sovereignty of the Falklands must end.