Falklands : SAFC Press Release
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 14.12.2004 (Article Archived on 28.12.2004)
The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission met last week in Buenos Aires.
SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERIES COMMISSION:
(Transcribed from a press release not yet issued to FINN)
The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission met last week in Buenos Aires. The Argentine delegation was lead by Ambassador Sampo Esconi, head of the Falklands and South Atlantic Department in the Foreign Ministry. The British delegation was lead by the Head of the Overseas Territories Department Mr. Tony Crombie.
The meeting took place under the sovereignty umbrella. Both delegations reaffirmed the importance they attach to ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks and reiterated the commitment of both Governments to conserving fish and squid stocks in the South Atlantic, recommending that both continue further scientific research in order to achieve a greater understanding of the most significant offshore species in the area.
The scientific sub-committee has raised serious concerns about the status of the Illex stock, particularly that recruitment and catches this year were the lowest on record, also that the level of spawning biomass of Illex remaining at the end of the 2004 season was the lowest observed.
They also noticed the prevailing oceanographic conditions appeared to be unfavourable for recruitment.
With those things in mind, the commission agreed to recommend that both governments take a precautionary approach to ensure the species conservation.
They also endorsed the recommendations of the SFC that subsequent escapement target for an enhanced early warning system should be 90 to 95 thousand tonnes of spawning stock biomass pre-set in the fishery during the last week of April – the mid point of the period of maximum reproduction.
The Commission also recommended that a joint survey to assess recruitment of the stock should take place in February.
Both delegations talked about practical measures needed to stop poachers and agreed to carry on enhancing efforts aimed at achieving that in a co-ordinated way.
FINN’s Note: It is normal for these meetings to happen at least once every six months.
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