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.
James Wallace, CEO Fortuna Ltd., made the following comments regarding the European Union Council Regulation referred to Falkland Islands fishery exports to the EU. We welcome the publication today of Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1203 as regards autonomous union tariffs for certain fishery products (ATQ).
The announcement by the Falkland Islands Executive Council referred to ITQ fees, particularly toothfish and calamari, which would represent an annual £3.9 million additional income for government coffers, was contrasted by a release from the Falklands' seafood sector pointing out that “to increase quota access fees paid by local fishing companies by 50% will increase costs to the industry by £4 million per annum”
A delegation from the Falkland Islands government was last week in Vigo, Spain to support Falklands Fishing Company Association (FIFCA) members attending the Conxemar Seafood Exhibition and to reinforce the Falkland Islands case during Brexit negotiations.
Moving the Illex fishery into the ITQ system and improved catch verification requirements are among the recommendations made by an independent review of the Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system published by the Falkland Islands government, FIG, this week.
The Falkland Islands total allowable effort and catch limits for 2013 will be largely the same as in 2012 it was agreed at the Islands’ Fisheries Committee Meeting this week.