Falkland Islands fishing company representatives led by Stuart Wallace of Fortuna Ltd condemned the 50% rise in toothfish and calamari fishery fees at the Fisheries Committee meeting.
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”
The decision of the recent meeting of Executive Council attended by MLA Elsby, Bragger and Edwards, to increase quota access fees paid by local fishing companies by 50% will increase costs to the industry by £4 Million per annum. The hike is targeted at the Loligo and toothfish quota holders.
A major review of the Falkland Island fisheries establishes a strong foundation, building on what has already been achieved. Executive Council (ExCo) has adopted a number of recommendations from a review carried out in 2018 by New Zealand consultants Terra Moana, of the Falkland Islands’ Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system.
Falkland Islands' catches for calamari squid and hake have risen substantially over five years. Statistics were outlined at Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
In a joint initiative between the Falkland Islands government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, an agricultural exchange visit to Uruguay is being arranged for September 2019.
The value of the Falkland Islands wool clip has increased by around 11% over the past six years, or £1 million at today’s wool prices announced MLA Teslyn Barkman at the most recent meeting of Legislative Assembly.
The impact of Brexit on the Falkland Islands' fishing industry could be “significant” according to the fishing industry, contradicting lawmaker MLA Roger Spink’s view in last week's Penguin News that there were measures that could be undertaken to mitigate the impact of potential tariffs.
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said that Lord Ahmad had “done a stellar job” as the overseas territories minister over the last two years, as he addressed the opening of the Pre-JMC (Joint Ministerial Council) meeting which convened British Overseas Territories leaders, including the Falkland Islands.
Falkland Islands lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman pointed out in Cayman Islands how Brexit and a no deal departure by the UK could totally destroy the economy of her country because the bulk of the Islands exports go to the European Union.