News

The Islands Plan 2009-14 is available to download here.

It has been announced that Neil Armstrong, who landed on the moon 40 years ago, is set to visit the Falklands.  The legendary astronaut will be aboard the National Geographic Explorer for a 21-day cruise to South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica in November.

Samantha Chapman of Stanley was recently chosen as a Student Award winner by the Dearne Valley College in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.  Samantha received the award for her polite, caring and respectful outlook and for her good performance on work placements.  She has just completed a diploma in Childcare and Education CACHE, achieving an overall grade A, and is hoping to go on to Sheffield Hallam University to study Early Years Education with Qualified Teacher Status.  After completing her training, Samantha hopes to return to the Falklands to work as a primary school teacher at the Infant and Junior School in Stanley.

The situation as of 21 July 2009 is that there have been five proven cases of Swine Influenza in the Falkland Islands. There have almost certainly been more cases but, due to the logistic difficulty of sending samples to a viral laboratory, these have not been confirmed. All cases have been mild.

There are no restrictions on travel to the Falkland Islands but travellers are advised not to travel if they are unwell with ‘flu-like symptoms. Any passenger who arrives and appears to be suffering from an infectious disease will be assessed by the medical authorities. Appropriate measures to ensure the health of the individual will be taken and appropriate quarantine measures may be taken.

The Islands Plan – the Falkland Islands Government’s ‘road map’ for the future of the Falklands – is to be formally adopted by the Legislative Assembly.  Councillor Andrea Clausen said many components of the Plan, such as improving education and health, were already included in the regular budget.  By linking it to the legislative process, Cllr Clausen said, budget managers could be sure their department was ‘meeting the business objectives of the country’.  The formalisation of the Plan, which is reviewed on an annual basis, was approved by Executive Council on 25 June.

The Falkland Islands Government has recently released its biodiversity strategy for 2008-2018, which will ensure the Islands’ natural resources are managed for the long-term benefit of all.  The strategy is available to download from the on the Environmental Planning Department website: http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/BiodiversityStrategy09.pdf.

Veteran paratroopers will be visiting the Falklands later this month for an emotional return to the sites of their most famous battles of 1982.  Eight veterans, including former officer commanding B Company Johnny Crossland and platoon commander Brigadier Chip Chapman, will be guests of honour during a battlefield tour on 26 July, accompanied by about 180 of their modern day counterparts, members of Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 Para).

Work has been carried out on the Public Jetty over the past month, part of several infrastructure projects in advance of the next tourist season.  The work includes the installation of a wave barrier on the jetty, a new pontoon, a new ramp giving access to the pontoon from the land (rather than from the jetty) and a shelter for awaiting cruise passengers.  The wave barrier will minimise the movement of the pontoons, helping ensure that tenders have a safer landing area, as well as increasing the life of the pontoons.  ’This much needed infrastructure improvement is about putting visitor safety and comfort first,’ said Jake Downing, General Manager of FITB.  ’Investment in the public jetty not only ensures passenger safety, but it also gives a positive first impression to cruise visitors. It will encourage them to use our facilities and services, spend money here, spread the good word about us and perhaps even come back again.’

The Falklands has been praised for its fisheries management in a study published this month.  The report was published in the online Biology journal of the Public Library of Science.  The study recorded that the Faroe and Falkland Islands had the best overall rankings and were in the top quarter for all three indicators of scientific robustness, policy making transparency and implementation capability.  Director of Fisheries, John Barton said, “This is very encouraging.  It shows the thoroughness of the science, effectiveness of fisheries protection and that the fisheries management regime processes are on the right track.”

A flag raising cereony to celebrate Armed Forces Day was held on Government House lawn on the afternoon of 23 June.  Those attending the ceremony in the Falkland Islands included Councillors, Acting Governor Paul Martinez, a contingent of military representatives and a large group of school children, as well as other members of the public.  Addressing the gathering on the Government House lawn, Councillor Richard Cockwell said: “We all appreciate the sacrifices made by each and every serviceman and woman when they step off the plane to serve their tour in the Falkland Islands.”