S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (28/11/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 29.11.2005 (Article Archived on 13.12.2005)
A brief run-down of South Atlantic news
FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: MONDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2005
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS
Section 1: Article by FINN
Section 2: Committee News
Section 3: Police News
Section 4: Announcements
Section 1:
FIRE ENGINE PULL NETS STEPHEN JAFFRAY FUND OVER £1,000.00
By J. Brock (FINN)
Members of the Stanley Fire Brigade and the MPA Fire Service were busy at the Beaver Hanger at 1400 hrs on Saturday afternoon, when they held a joint Fire Engine Pull in aid of the Stephen Jaffray Memorial Fund. With the help of the MPA Fire Service, who donated approximately £250.00 the total raised was approximately £1,000.00.
Though the afternoon was windy the team managed to pull the fire engine from the Beaver Hanger along Ross Road to the Public Jetty. Approximately 50 people showed up to cheer Gardner Fiddes and his team along the way.
Section 2:
COMMITTEE NEWS
FISHERIES COMMITTEE
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Fisheries Committee took place in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat at 1330 hrs on Friday, 25 November 2005. Present at the meeting were Cllrs Cockwell and Clausen, Industry Representatives Dick Sawle, Lewis Clifton and Hamish Wyley, the Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Simpkins, Mr. John Barton, Director of Fisheries and Attorney General Mr. David Lang QC. Apologies were received from Julian Morris, General Manager of FIDC and industry representatives, Drew Irvine and Stuart Wallace. Irene Ewing took the minutes.
Richard Cockwell would chair this meeting but Andrea Clausen had the chair for the following meetings for the rest of the new Council’s life.
Following confirmation of the minutes of the Fisheries Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 25 October 2005, a correction to the minutes was made by Dick Sawle – the previous meeting of the FAC had agreed and decided that the methodology of assessment for ITQ would be made public. It was agreed that clarity on this pivotal point of the policy was of paramount importance. Chris Simpkins and Cllr. Clausen agreed that it was important to make the methodology available.
In matters arising, the Fisheries Ordinance Schedule 2 was discussed. It was to be amended so that the start date would be July 2006. John Barton mentioned that there were several versions going around but the final version would be gazetted. Care must be taken not to make endless amendments a retrograde step and have us wind up where we started. Some Fisheries operated all year around, while others were seasonal. Scallops and Loligo Fisheries would be reintroduced. However, it was mentioned that the season for various species should be closed for three months during spawning season.
Andrea Clausen brought up fisheries protection based on species and based on product. She mentioned this in using both the pelagic (mid to high water) and demersal (bottom) trawling equipment and methods. The product based scenario did not set well with her as fisheries could be defined by fishing methods (pelagic/demersal) rather than by product. Fishing methods often determine the product caught and not visa-versa.
Hamish Wyley said that it made sense but how did one move to the new system. He mentioned that the only pelagic species in the zone were Blue Whiting with a by-catch of Hoki. John Barton mentioned that at the moment fishing vessels were not using pelagic gear for demersal fishing. There was one experiment but that was only a trial. There were too many practicalities to think of before assessing the merit of switching methods.
Hamish Wyley said that pelagic gear was used to trawl for Ice Fish in South Georgia and Dick Sawle mentioned that it took ½ an hour to an hour for a vessel to switch gears while at sea. However, defining fishing by fishing methods could lead to difficulties, according to John Barton, as most FI trawlers were only equipped for bottom (demersal) trawling. Dick Sawle made the point that most FI trawlers were equipped for both pelagic and demersal trawls.
John Barton wanted to ask for industry views on the subject and Chris Simpkins agreed but said that we needed to get on with the process. Richard Cockwell agreed that we needed to put it to bed.
The Committee then considered recommendations for Aggregation Limits. Part “B” needed to be considered. John Barton said that there needed to be clarification on the whole issue in proportion to any fishing. One company could view limits of the Fisheries Policy differently than another and there needed to be a policy review. John Barton had produced a paper on this. The problem outlined in the paper was that one company would have virtually all of the surimi fishery. In order to maintain their monopoly on surimi, they would have to have an exemption from the limits set. Exemptions should be avoided if at all possible as they were, by definition, contrary to the policy and fundamental philosophies contained in the policy document. The point was made that many companies felt that they could produce far higher value from products such as Hoki – surimi was a high volume low value process. The point was stated that there were high value investments made in any fishery and this should be one of the policy objectives for exemption. It depends on the catch and the species. ITQ and Aggregation Limits apply to licence types. They can be transferred across except for Loligo. In the new scheme, ITQ could be traded but checks needed to be put in place against a high proportion being traded. It should be fixed but not in stone. A change from 30 to 40% Aggregation Limits was mentioned. Comments are awaited from Fortuna Limited.
Next on the agenda was the implementation and commencement of the Fisheries Ordnance. John Barton took the cautious approach saying that people will test the limits wherever and whenever possible. Crunch time would come if the fishery had to be reduced as much as 50%
Lewis Clifton mentioned that there were opportunities to develop a table fish product that would replace Cod. He suggested Blue Whiting. John Barton’s reply was it shouldn’t be a surimi product. Both single operators and surimi will be addressed in the Southern Blue Whiting fishery as by-catches come with the catch of Southern Blue Whiting and companies purchase ITQ for that purpose.
Lewis Clifton mentioned that the Ordinance provided the opportunity for changing the type and method and gear to get difference species but this needed to be thought through. Richard Cockwell mentioned that canvassing the industry about this would be a good idea. Nonetheless, a paper would be produced by John Barton to put to the next meeting of EXCO. EXCO would look at arguments on both sides of the issue and make a decision.
A discussion about when parts of the Ordinance would be put in place took place with David Lang explaining that it would be difficult but achievable to have the whole Ordinance in place by July 2006. Richard Cockwell sees that if the goal of July 2006 were not set then there would be slippage and this would not be a positive outcome.
Effort vs Catch: John Barton said there had been a debate about this as a method of setting ITQ. Dick Sawle asked when and where the debate had taken place as he was not aware of it. John Barton said that Dick Sawle had made representation to him about this and Dick Sawle had replied that these were individual points of view and not a debate. John Barton suggested that data could be laid out based both on catch and effort methods. This would take time to implement but it would be worth it. David Lang mentioned that it was legally possible but complicated.
Section 3:
POLICE NEWS:
At 1020 hrs on Friday, 25 November 2005 an Ambulance was requested for the Community School. Police and Medical Staff attended.
At 2245 hrs on Friday, 25 November 2005 Police Officers observed a person jumping on and running over the bonnet of a vehicle outside the Victory Bar
At 0005 hrs on Saturday, 26 November 2005 Officers of the Royal Falkland Islands Police attended a disturbance outside the Globe Tavern. One person was issued with a public order warning.
At 1158 hrs on Saturday, 26 November 2005 the Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of a missing person off the INDOMITABLE at Mare Harbour. A Military Press Release subsequently identified the man as Anthony McCullen, a Second Engineer off the vessel. The man’s family has been told of his disappearance. Official press released can be sent to finn@horizon.co.fk.
At 0013 hrs on Sunday, 27 November 2005 the Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of a disturbance outside Michelle’s Café. Three people were issued with Public Order warnings and sent on their way.
At 0840 hrs on Monday, 28 November 2005 the EOD were tasked to dispose of ammunition at Ceritas Corral at Goose Green. Later on Monday, the EOD were alerted to hand grenades that had been found on Callaghan Road. They transported them to the Eliza Cove Tip at approximately 1930 hrs and disposed of them. The Public were notified to keep away from the area between 1930 hrs and 2030 hrs.
Section 4:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Vice President of Chichester College will soon visit the Falklands. He has particularly asked to meet any ex-students or apprentices who trained at Chichester College and have returned to work in the Falklands. He would also like to find out how careers have developed and how former students thinks Chichester College can help students and apprentices in the future.
The RRS James Clark Ross Reception has been postponed from 30 November to 04 December. Please call 21259 for details.
On Friday, 02 December 2005 another exercise programme session at the KEMH Day Centre. The 45-minute session will start at 1030 hrs. Everyone welcome.
Air Movements at MPA advises that the Air-bridge Flight RR3200 scheduled to land at MPA at 1410hrs on Monday has been delayed for 24 hours. It is now due to land at 1410hrs on Tuesday, 29 November 2005.
Professor David Walton of the British Antarctic Survey will be giving a public lecture in the Geography Room of the FICS on Tuesday, 29 November at 1900 hrs.
The local launch of the Second Edition of “A Visitors Guide to the Falkland Islands” by Debbie Summers will take place at the Malvina House Hotel on Monday, 05 December 2005 at a function for invited guests. Also being launched at the venue will be “Birds and Mammals of the Falkland Islands” by Mr. Robin Woods, Mrs. Anne Woods and Mr. Alan Henry.
Falklands Conservation would like to invite all its members to attend an exclusive guided Bird-walk with Alan Henry at Long Island on Sunday, 04 December 2005. Members are asked to meet in the Jetty Centre car park at 1000hrs and the day is expected to finish at 1500. Transport is provided to and from Long Island. Participants are asked to take a packed lunch and wear suitable footwear and warm clothing. Please contact Amanda or Sarah on 22432.
If you are in for an interesting time then why not attend the Beaver Hanger on Ross Road West at 1400 hrs on Saturday, 26 November 2005 for the Annual Fire Engine Pull. Money is being raised for charity during the pull.
Cable & Wireless would like to inform customers that due to a new numbering range required for the new GSM Mobile Numbering Service, the numbers to call Saddle Computers Help Line have changed to 48001. And, the Mail Collection Announcement Line has changed to 49001. Until 01 December 2005, if you ring the old numbers your call will be diverted to the new numbers but after that all calls must be made to the new numbers. Cable & Wireless apologise for any inconvenience but say this is an essential change to allow the new GSM Mobile Numbering Range to work.
There will be a special Stanley Regatta Event on Saturday, 10 December 2005. Watch this space for details or call Steve Dent at the Leisure Centre.
Also on the 10th of December the Girl Guides will be singing Christmas Carols at various venues around town during the afternoon from 1400 to 1600. They will be in fancy Christmas costumes and raising money for the Guide Unit here. Dig deep everyone!
Nominations are invited to fill two positions for lay members to represent the public on the Health and Medical Services Committee. The Committee normally meets once a month and those selected for appointment will be expected to serve for a period of three years from early January 2006. Candidates for appointment to the committee should forward their name and address to the Government Secretary, Secretariat, Stanley, by 1630 hrs by Wednesday, 30 November 2005. The Director of Health Services will be happy to provide information regarding the functions of the Committee to anyone interested in this appointment. Her phone is 28003 and e-mail is nosborne@kemh.gov.fk
CORRECTION
Please see Paragraph 4 of the Gordon Forbes Press Release Issued on the 25 November 2005. Paragraph 4 should be amended as follows:
Whilst FIG had succeeded in its defence of the majority of areas of claim, Acting Judge Christopher Purchas sitting in the Supreme Court in Stanley last June rejected FIG’s appeal against the Arbitrator’s final award given in July 2004 which left FIG with an obligation to pay substantial costs and interest to GFC in addition to payments which the Supreme Court had decided were due to GFC under the contract. Further claims exceeding £700,000 in value were still to be considered by the Supreme Court. As at October 2005, the total value of the claims and payments due to GFC were estimated at almost £2.4m.
Contributing Websites: http://www.falklandnews.com. http://www.tristantimes.com, http://www.the-islander.org.ac, http://www.sartma.com, http://www.news.co.sh, http://www.sgisland.org
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