News

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has given its approval to diplomatic efforts put forward by the Falkland Islands Government in response to Argentina’s activities prompted by the current round of oil exploration.  Senior FCO official Colin Roberts, visiting the Falklands in his capacity as Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate, said he wanted to ensure the Legislative Assembly felt the British Government was providing sufficient support, especially through its international response to diplomatic actions by Argentina following the arrival of the Ocean Guardian oil rig.  Mr Roberts was also impressed with the “well argued and balanced” letters by The Hon. Jan Cheek MLA, published recently in The Times and The Guardian.  Mr Roberts, whose packed itinerary included visits with business, Government and community leaders, said he was also impressed with the Islands’ economic outlook.

The Hon. Dick Sawle MLA attended the Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practices and Procedures from 7-19 March, which he has described as “interesting and informative”.  The two-week Seminar is held annually by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to allow newly-elected politicians to study the operation of a Parliament and the work of its key office holders, and to examine ways to better represent and engage with the communities they serve.  To read the press release in full, click on the link below:

• Westminster Seminar ‘Interesting and Informative’

The following photos show Cllr Sawle rising to speak, and Cllr Sawle meeting Anne McIntosh MP and other delegates.

The Hon. Roger Edwards MLA led a delegation in Brussels from 23-26 March for the four-day Forum for Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of the European Union, arranged and paid for by the European Commission.  Cllr Edwards, who is the portfolio holder for European Union affairs, was accompanied by the Falklands London Representative, Sukey Cameron MBE, and Michael Poole, Senior Economic and Statistical Analyst for the Falkland Islands Government.

The Forum provided an opportunity for the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) to put its views forward on the new Overseas Association Decision, the document that governs the relationship between the European Union and its Overseas Countries and Territories.  The Falkland Islands sends representatives to the Forum to enhance communication between the EU and the OCTs; to achieve a clearer understanding amongst OCTs about the financial assistance available from the Tenth European Development Fund; to promote the economic and social development and self-reliance of OCTs within the global economy; and to ensure better co-operation and co-ordination on sustainable development strategies suitable for OCTs.

Cllr Edwards also met representatives of the UK’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to discuss Rules of Origin issues for the Falkland Islands fishing industry, and to lobby the British Government to support the Falkland Islands Government’s position.

Director of Fisheries John Barton has confirmed that Falklands’ fishery catches have returned to a more normal level in 2010.  Approximately one month into the squid fishery season (Loligo and Illex), Falkland Islands Fisheries Department officials have announced some good catches, compared to the low catches of 2009.  There has also been significantly greater interest in licences, with some 70 vessels calling to collect licences.

For further information visit www.fis.com/falklandfish.

The Falkland Islands participated in ‘Earth Hour’, a global awareness campaign on climate change, on 27 March.  The campaign is organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature and spans thousands of cities around the world.  Individuals, commerce, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change.  To read the press release in full, click on the link below:

•  ‘Earth Hour’ celebrated in the Falkland Islands

The Hon Sharon Halford MLA reports on her recent five-day trip to the UK with fellow Public Accounts Committee members Mr Stuart Wallace (chair) and Mr Mike Forrest.  The purpose of the trip, which was funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office through the Overseas Territories Fund, was to find out more about how Public Accounts Committees promote good governance and careful financial management.

To read the report, click here.

A delegation from the Falkland Islands, led by the Hon Roger Edwards MLA, is to attend the annual Forum for Overseas Countries & Territories of the European Union.  The four-day event, which is to be held in Brussels from 23 to 26 March, is arranged and paid for by the European Commission.  The Forum will be attended by representatives of all 21 Overseas Countries & Territories.  Mr Edwards, who is the portfolio holder for European Union affairs, will be accompanied by Ms Sukey Cameron MBE, the Falkland Islands Government’s  Representative in London, and Mr Michael Poole, Senior Economic and Statistical Analyst.

The press release can be read in full here.

The Falkland Islands Government has published its Economic Briefing & Forecast for 2010.  This seven-page document examines the current global economic environment, and its likely impact on the Falkland Islands.  It reviews the fisheries, agriculture, tourism and other commercial sectors, and examines the implications for public finance.  The Falkland Islands economy is expected to expand by 5.3% in real terms during 2010.  The current year, in line with other world economies, should see some recovery with early signs of an improved catch within the Illex fishery and higher wool and meat prices within the agricultural sector.  Any potential revenues from exploitation will not feature in the Islands’ economic planning unless and until commercially viable reserves are discovered.

The report and a press release can be viewed by clicking the links below:

• Economic Briefing & Forecast for the Falkland Islands
• Economic Briefing Press Release

Public Accounts Committee members Mr Stuart Wallace (chair), the Hon Sharon Halford MLA and Mr Mike Forrest, are visiting the UK from 16 to 20 March on a five-day trip funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office through the Overseas Territories Fund.  The purpose of the trip is to learn how Public Accounts Committees operate in small jurisdictions and local authorities within the British Isles.  The Hon Sharon Halford MLA and the Hon Jan Cheek MLA have also recently spent time at the Falkland Islands Government Office and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London.  The Hon Dick Sawle is currently in London, attending the Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practices and Procedures, which runs from 7 to 19 March.  The Seminar is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for newly-elected politicians. 

A press release with further information on these visits can be viewed here.

The Falkland Islands have recently adopted their second Plan of Action to reduce seabird mortality due to trawling activity.  The first plan of action was approved in 2004 following the work of SAST (Seabird at Sea Team), a collaborative project between Falklands Conservation (www.falklandsconservation.com) and RSPB. Further work conducted since 2004 by the APP (Albatross and Petrel Programme), with collaboration from the fisheries observers since 2006, has been the base for the re-evaluation of the initial plan.  Four years of APP observers’ work at sea brought up new and more detailed information relating to the sources and magnitude of seabird incidental mortality due to interactions with trawling fishing gear and its mitigation.  The plan adopted by the Falkland Islands contains extensive background information and a detailed framework for the next four years, outlining those aspects which may need further investigation to ensure a lower impact on seabirds by trawling activity and by fishing activity in general.

For further information visit www.fis.com/falklandfish.