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Mission - OVERVIEW - Departments - Islands Plan - Constitutional Review - FIDC - FLH - FCO - Relationship with UK Factsheet - Government - Governor's Address - FISHERIES - Mineral Exploration - Agriculture BACKGROUND - 2005 Reforms - Industry Supports Reforms - Political Debate The fisheries sector is the main contributor to the Falkland Islands economy. Since the fishery was introduced in 1987 fishing licence fees have provided some £23 million in revenue per annum to the Falkland Islands Government. The waters around the Falklands are relatively rich in nutrients being supplied by the Falklands' Current, which flows northward from the Drake Passage. The waters sustain a valuable fishery and a diversity of marine life. The Falklands fishery is unusual in that two species of squid provide most of the catch. Illex argentinus historically is the 'big squid' in terms of size and volume. This squid grows to 35cm and in an average year some 150,000 tonnes are taken from Falklands waters. Illex are mainly caught by specialised squid jigging vessels from the Far East using powerful lights to attract the squid. Illex are primarily destined for markets in the Far East and Europe. In 2004 and again in 2005 there was a major failure of the Illex fishery. Catches were virtually non-existent and the fishery was closed. The causes are believed to be due to unusual oceanography. Loligo gahi is the smaller squid species growing to 15cm and has a more inshore distribution. Typical catches by stern trawlers are of the order of 50,000 tonnes with most of the catch going to Europe. It has sustained a successful fishery. Modest catches are made of a variety of fish species including Southern Blue Whiting, Hoki, Kingclip, Red Cod and Toothfish. All fisheries are managed to try and ensure sustainability for the long term. FIG devotes considerable resources (> £6 million) to fisheries science and fisheries protection. Two ocean going fishery protection vessels are used for fisheries research and protection; one of the vessels is armed. In conjunction with Falklands Conservation major efforts have been put into minimising interactions and conflict between the fishery and wildlife. Measures are in place onboard Falkland Islands longliners to reduce interactions with seabirds. Mitigation measures are also being extended to trawlers to similarly reduce seabird interactions. The combined set of measures should reduce any direct seabird mortalities as a result of fishing operations to very low levels. Some squid and fish resources are 'shared' with Argentina. There is a bilateral fisheries commission (UK/Argentina) which meets to address conservation issues on such stocks. Joint research cruises and scientific workshops are undertaken. Coordinated conservation action has been implemented where necessary to meet conservation objectives. The Falkland Islands has a growing fishing industry. Some 27 fishing vessels are registered in the Falkland Islands and local fishing companies are making an increasingly important contribution to the economy. In 2006 the Falkland Islands is due to change from the current licensing system to a rights based management system. This should give Falkland fishing companies greater security, and allow them to operate on a more rational economic basis. The new policy is seen as a potential catalyst for major development of the local fisheries sector. Published in the Penguin News Visitor's Guide 2005/6 sponsored by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board |
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