Falklands : YEAR 1 FOR FALKLAND ISLANDS FISHING AGENCIES ASSOCIATION
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 01.11.2007 (Article Archived on 15.11.2007)
The first annual general meeting for the Falkland Islands Fishing Agencies Association was held at 1700hrs on Tuesday, 30 October 2007 at the Malvina House Hotel. Later, at around 2000hrs, a celebratory buffet was hosted by the Association. During the AGM officers were elected, with Mr. Drew Irvine being elected Chairman. He spoke to people attending the buffet.
YEAR 1 FOR FALKLAND ISLANDS FISHING AGENCIES ASSOCIATION
By J. Brock (FINN)
The first annual general meeting for the Falkland Islands Fishing Agencies Association was held at 1700hrs on Tuesday, 30 October 2007 at the Malvina House Hotel. Later, at around 2000hrs, a celebratory buffet was hosted by the Association. During the AGM officers were elected, with Mr. Drew Irvine being elected Chairman. He spoke to people attending the buffet.
“The new association is part of a radical overhaul of fisheries policy. It started in 2002 and is slowly making progress. This has changed the vessel based short-term licencing system into a company based long-term quota system. This change has altered the fundamental dynamics of the industry. The long-term security, in particular, will lead to greater efficiency and prosperity for the industry and the Falklands overall.
This is an important step as it is fishing which will continue to provide the basis for the financial security for the Islands for the foreseeable future. Shifting the competition for licences from Government Policy to the Marketplace has also made it easier for the industry to work together. And it is this later aspect which will make the Association a much more effective organisation.
It may surprise you to learn that we don’t always agree with Government Policy. But we do appreciate and have a working commitment of those involved in this process. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following: The Director of Fisheries, John Barton for overseeing the process over the past 5 years and taking the policy reform from consultation to implementation, his co-architect of the policy, Michael Hart, retired Attorney General, David Lang for converting the policy into legislation and for drafting our constitution for the Association, current and past Councillors for their involvement throughout the process and in particular for approving the policy and ultimately enacting the legislation. As portfolio holders, Councillors Clausen and Cockwell have been particularly involved. And, one last thank-you and that’s to Lewis and his staff at Byron for organising this event this evening.”
Before Cllr Clausen said a few words Mr. Irvine mentioned the industry DVD that was shown to everyone that was made to increase the profile of the industry at various trade shows. Local suppliers are selling the DVD for £5.00 with the proceeds going to the Seamen’s Mission.
Cllr Clausen said:
“Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am going to be very brief as Drew has done an excellent sum-up of the journey, and I think it is a journey, that the Association has been through from an idea in policy discussions in the early naughties (‘90s) up until current day and today in particular, when the association has had its first AGM.
As Chair of the Fisheries Advisory Committee, and on behalf of Members tonight I would like to say thank-you for inviting us all to dinner tonight and to celebrate with you and the industry and all of the support people involved. I would like to congratulate the members of the industry in the establishment of this association in itself representing all ITQ and PQ owners.
It has been a long journey and I am very pleased today to be involved as a representative of FIG and to have the opportunity to take part. I note that you will have four new members and, by the end of this week we will know who they are who will sit on the Fisheries Advisory Committee. And, I and my colleagues, I’m sure, look forward to our discussions and deliberations and working together with the new association.”
There was a toast to the new association.
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