Exchanges of information between the Falkland Islands and Argentina about fish and squid stocks could begin again before the middle of this year, if all parties are in agreement. Director of Natural Resources John Barton said: “Dialogue with Argentina on the conservation of shared marine resources has the potential to allow for better management of shared fish stocks and improve sustainability of such stocks.”
Early indications from scientific surveys are showing “no big concentrations of Illex,” in the Falkland Islands waters or on the high seas, “which is worrying,” said Falkland Islands Government Senior Fisheries Scientist Sasha Arkhipkin as reported by the Penguin News.
Falkland Islands fishing company Fortuna Ltd has become a sponsor and research partner in a PhD student ship on southern blue whiting. The Falkland Islands Government fisheries Department (FIFD) and the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI) are also collaborators in this research project.
Argentina's National Fisheries Coordination Agency reported that the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) established fishing quotas for hake (Merluccius hubbsi) for the current year: 277,000 tons for the south area (south of parallel 41°SL) and 35,000 tons for the north area (north of parallel 41°SL).
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”.
Argentina contributes for the destruction of the species Southern Blue Whiting in the South West Atlantic claim Falkland Islands Fisheries Department scientists and fishing company executives.