Falklands : Industry says increase in Loligo Fees Unwelcome
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 10.04.2008 (Article Archived on 24.04.2008)
Concern has been expressed by industry representatives of the Fisheries Committee about an increase in fees for the winter Loligo fishery.
INDUSTRY SAYS INCREASE IN LOLIGO FEES UNWELCOME
By J. Brock (FINN)
Concern has been expressed by industry representatives of the Fisheries Committee about an increase in fees for the winter Loligo fishery.
Meeting on wednesday morning, the Fisheries Committee discussed the increase of fees for the Liligo season beginning on 01 July. According to Director of Fisheries, John Barton, the fees are based on market conditions as well as the benefit to those who depend on the industry.
In a report on FIRS, Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association spokesman, Drew Irvine outlined reasons why the increase is unfair by saying that there are no international precedents, with a country charging such a high proportion of revenues as licence fees. The same fees that international companies pay aren’t appropriate for local companies who pay tax and that Falklands companies are competing in an international market where their competitors have a cost advantage.
Mr Barton had mentioned that the fees were consistently high and had been so for the past 20 years of the fishery, with no ill affects.
Mr Irvine has also said that these prices were unfair due to rising operating costs. Increasing fuel, food, labour and equipment costs can be named as the culprits.
A paper to Executive Council will contain remarks by the industry outlining their objections to the licence fee increase.
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