Falklands : Falklands Illex Season Begins Despite Poor High Seas Catches
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 17.02.2006 (Article Archived on 03.03.2006)
Now it's crunch time. We have three weeks to find out if this year's Illex Stock is viable.
FALKLANDS ILLEX SEASON BEGINS DESPITE POOR HIGH SEAS CATCHES
By J. Brock (FINN)
Beginning on Valentines day, jiggers have been spotted in Stanley Harbour while picking up licences to catch Illex – a species that has been in decline in the area since 2003. Thirty six Illex licences, considerably less than in previous fishing seasons, were issued by the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department.
Catches on the high seas have been minimal so far this season, with the decline there thought to be poor recruitment from last season, coupled with changing sea temperatures and currents. At the moment, it is unknown whether licence holders will catch enough Illex to make a full season in Falklands waters viable. The season, which began in earnest on Wednesday, 15 February 2006, has not been going long enough to get sufficient data about Illex catches.
Should Illex in significant quantities be caught here it is possible that more licences will be issued but it is too early to gage this but it could be known within three weeks or so.
Traditionally Japan, Korea, the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan have provided the fishing vessels that take up licences for Illex here.
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