Falklands : Argentine Conservation Measure Causes Concern in the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 13.12.2005 (Article Archived on 27.12.2005)
We clearly need to come down on the side of Illex Squid.
ARGENTINE CONSERVATION MEASURE CAUSES CONCERN IN THE FALKLANDS
An Editorial by J. Brock (FINN)
When the Argentine Fisheries Federal Council permitted high seas fishing for Illex this early in the season it caused concern in the Falklands for a variety of reasons. Illex Squid has a one-year life cycle and the more that are caught before spawning decreases recruitment for the next season.
For this reason the Falklands do not permit high seas fishing until January – some two weeks later than it is permitted by the Argentine Fisheries Federal Council. Whether the conservation measure works or not remains to be seen because to loose the resource will have dear financial ramifications in Argentina as well as in the Falklands.
It is understandable for anyone who wants to protect a resource to have licensed vessels where that resource is located. The trick is not to scoop it all up and leave nothing for next year.
Though the Falklands are trying to diversify the fisheries income base and not to have a single species based fishery, Illex is an important source of income. If we become the losers, the Argentine fishery also loses. It is in both our interests to do what is best for the resource and
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