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Falkland Focus
News from the Falkland Islands Government
Number: 69 - April/May 2000

HM THE QUEEN AT THE PANGBOURNE MEMORIAL CHAPEL

PAGE 1
Moving Forward, The Joint Statement - Conservation & Fishing Issues - Flights from South America - Entry of Argentine Citizens into the Falkland Islands - Tough Line Taken Against Poachers in Falkland Waters

PAGE 2
MPs Visit the Islands - Education Watch: GCSE Success - Success For Peter Symonds' College, Winchester - The Search for Oil - Royal Visit - The New Chief Executive - Falklands First Solicitor

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Focus on Health & Social Services - Visit by UK Defence Secretary - New Commander of British Forces - Laying Up Of Colours - The Queen Opens Falklands Memorial Chapel - Organically Produced - Destinations 2000 - Diary Dates

Moving Forward

The Joint Statement, signed on 14 July 1999 between the British and Argentine Governments, was designed "to build confidence and reduce tension" between the Falkland Islands and Argentina. It was a significant step in the relationship between the two countries. Nine months on we look at key elements of the Agreement and the progress made. The Agreement was negotiated under the "sovereignty umbrella" and does not affect the constitutional position of the Falkland Islands as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, or the Falkland Islanders right to self-determination.

Councillors Sharon Halford and Mike Summers witnessed the signing of the Joint Statement on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government. Councillor Summers reviewed the objectives of the Islands Legislative Council which are:

To protect the long term economic future of the fisheries
To restore air communications with South America free from Argentine interference, reduce the pressure on the military airbridge and assist tourism development
To gain some implicit recognition of the Falkland Islands Government by the Argentine administration

"The latter two of these we have achieved in full," said Councillor Summers, "with the degree of implicit recognition going well beyond what many expected. The fisheries element we have achieved to a large extent, but not yet fully."

Conservation & Fishing Issues

The Falkland Islands and Argentina pledged to "enhance cooperation on conservation on fishing issues and to agree a coordinated programme to tackle poaching".

The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission (SAFC) has met twice since the July Agreement. In September 1999 it announced the "shared commitment of the parties to the maintenance and conservation of fish stocks in the South Atlantic and ways of enhancing existing levels of cooperation". These comments were further built on at a meeting in November.

John Barton, Director of Fisheries, says: "Interest in Falkland fishing licences has been higher for the 2000 season than for some time. The commitment to coordinate fishery protection, as a result of the Agreement, has certainly had an impact on this. Other factors probably helping include the bumper Illex squid season in Falkland zones in 1999 and the arming of one of the fisheries protection vessels to deter poachers."

Flights from South America

The weekly flight between the Falkland Islands and Santiago, Chile, suspended in March 1999 by the Chilean Government following the arrest of General Pinochet in the UK, has been resumed.

The weekly flights, operated by LanChile, the Chilean National Airline, recommenced on 7 August and from 16 October, include two stops per month (one each way) at Rio Gallegos in Argentina. The flights provide a welcome link with South America and are also helping to stimulate trade.

Entry of Argentine Citizens into the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands Government allow Argentine nationals to enter the Islands, using Argentine passports, ending the ban on access introduced after the 1982 War. (Argentine next-of-kin visits were not affected by the ban.)

Holders of Argentine passports have been permitted to enter the Falkland Islands since the resumption of the LanChile flights on 7 August. The first flight from Chile to stop and pick up passengers in Argentina, arrived in the Islands on 16 October. Over 220 Argentine nationals have visited the Islands by this route since the signing of the Agreement, including next-of-kin visits.

Councillors believe that this allows Argentine visitors to see for themselves the "Britishness" of the Islands. Councillor John Birmingham said: "Every Argentine that comes here and has their passport stamped, if treated with the respect and the politeness that we are known for, will leave these Islands with the clear understanding that the Falklands are historically, socially, culturally and linguistically different from their country."

"The agreement is the first stage in building the foundations for mutual trust between our countries" said Councillor Mike Summers. "This is not something that can be achieved overnight. We are at a very interesting stage in our development and cooperation with our South American neighbours will assist in this."

Tough Line Taken Against Poachers in Falkland Waters

A Taiwanese fishing vessel has been fined over Ł175,000 for illegally fishing in Falkland waters at the Stanley Magistrates Court on 3 April 2000.

The master and company which owns the vessel, pleaded guilty to all charges and the penalties imposed by the court included:

Ł175,000 fine against the company for fishing without a valid licence
Ł5,000 fine against the Master for fishing without a valid licence
Ł2,500 fine against the Master for failing to obey an instruction to stop his vessel.

Ł17,683 costs were awarded to the prosecution and orders were made or are pending in relation to the forfeiture of the catch and fishing gear.

The vessel, Her Ching 101, was intercepted by the Falklands' armed fisheries patrol vessel, the Dorada, on 22 March. After two days of chase, during which the Taiwanese vessel was repeatedly asked to stop, the Dorada fired upon the vessel causing damage to its bow. Her Ching 101 was brought into Stanley on 28 March, accompanied by the Dorada.

In his summing up, Senior Magistrate Mr Keith Watson said that "poaching would not be tolerated and must be deterred" to protect vessel owners with legitimate licences. He also emphasised that the conservation and proper management of the fish and squid resources in Falklands waters was of paramount importance to the Islands.

Director of Fisheries, Mr John Barton, said: "This operation has been a major success and the penalty from the Court should deter others from considering this illegal practice."