The fleet of trawlers from Vigo. Spain operating in the Falkland Islands waters are most enthusiastic about the current second squid season and believe Loligo landings already totaling 72,200 tons according to records from Falklands' Natural Resources Department could anticipate, if catch rates continue, a record similar to that of the best year back in 1995, with 98,409 tons.
The European Commission has reached an agreement to allow 75,000 tonnes of Falklands loligo to be imported tariff-free into the European Union, according to reports in Galician daily Faro de Vigo.
The Falkland Islands' fishing industry partners/associates in Vigo are faced with good and bad news. The good news is that the Loligo catch is expected to reach 50,000 tons, while the bad news is that the exceptional squid harvest expected to begin arriving next week in Vigo will be, for the first time facing a 6% tariff when landed in Spain, according to the Galicia media.
The Falkland Islands' second Loligo season this year has had an “exceptional start” the Director of Natural Resources Dr. Andrea Clausen told the Fisheries Committee last Thursday.
UK has been standing out for the Falklands and its squid and fish sales to the European Union, according to an article from the Financial Times, credited to Jim Brunsden in Brussels, and referred to the post-Brexit EU/UK trade talks.
The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced that the first loligo season has come to a close as of 28 April, and on Thursday a number of vessels arrived in Stanley Harbor and Port William.
Last week Penguin News reported on the uncertainty surrounding Brexit causing a slump in meat sales from the Falkland Islands Meat Company and lower prices.
Reefers loaded with Falklands' Loligo are rushing to Vigo most concerned about what will happen on April 12, when Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union, either with a hard Brexit or agree to further negotiations with EU and an extension period. In the first case Spanish companies in Galicia fear they might have to pay millions in EU tariffs