
Reacting to the news this week that all Mercosur member countries had agreed to close their ports to ships flying the Falkland Islands flag, Cheryl Roberts, chair of the Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association, stated that: “It is still too early to say exactly what the effect might be, whilst obviously disappointing we are now working to find solutions to minimise any potential impacts, both operational and economic, of the recent decision.

Falkland Islands fishing companies association, FIFCA expressed their “extreme disappointment” with Uruguay’s decision not to allow Falklands’ flagged vessels enter the port of Montevideo, which “will only serve to punish its own people”.

Argentina’s Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) ordered the temporary cancellation of jiggers’ dispatches because of the low catches of squid (Illex argentinus) registered by the five vessels operating south of latitude 44°.

The new Chair of the Falkland Islands Fishing Company Association condemned Argentina for their two month early opening of their illex (squid) fishing season, “with complete disregard for conservation of the stock”.