Falkland Islands

• Wednesday, August 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Authorities prepare to board Viarsa

  The Government has revealed that it secretly hired the South African tug boat, the John Ross, to aid the Southern Supporter in its marathon pursuit of the Uruguayan boat suspected of poaching Patagonian toothfish from Australian waters, the Viarsa.

• Wednesday, August 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “Viarsa 1” detained and escorted to South Africa

  After three weeks of hot pursuit the Uruguayan long-liner “Viarsa 1” has finally been detained by Australian and South African Fisheries officials.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Antipersonnel mines in north Chile eliminated

  Chile finished this Monday the destruction of 59,192 antipersonnel mines that were stored in the north of the country, --close to the Bolivian border--, in compliance with the country's commitments to the Ottawa Convention.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine hake quota already caught.

  Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) catches to the north of parallel 41° totalled 62,400 tonnes and catches to the south totalled 129,000 tonnes, by 19 August. This makes a total of 191,400 tonnes - 65 per cent of this year's 300,000 tonne total allowable catch (TAC) set by the Federal Fisheries Council - leaving 108,600 tonnes to catch in both regions.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Viarsa 1 is close to capture

  A high sea drama is playing out at the moment as armed fisheries inspectors prepare to board the suspected toothfish poacher Viarsa 1 that has been eluding capture for the last three weeks.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “Viarsa1” under Uruguayan authorities arrest

  Uruguay confirmed this Tuesday it had ordered the long liner “Viarsa 1” that is under hot pursuit from Australian authorities for allegedlly illegal fishing, to return to Uruguay and are expecting her back in a few days time.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine destroyer in North Atlantic operations

  For the first time ever an Argentine destroyer will be participating in exercises in the North Atlantic with the United States Navy.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Renegade fishing boat to dock in Uruguay

  Authorities in Uruguay have rejected an Australian request for a renegade fishing boat to proceed to the nearest port for inspection.

• Sunday, August 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay's fisheries licensing under the spotlight

  The Uruguayan flagged long-liner “Viarsa 1” under hot pursuit from Australia during the last fifteen days for allegedly poaching tooth-fish is heading to Montevideo where the crew and the company will voluntarily submit themselves to Uruguayan authorities and eventually face charges.

• Sunday, August 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Regional News.

  Headlines
  Honey alert in Chile; Foreigners prefer Torres del Paine; Bait for tooth-fish.