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The fishing potential of the waters  around the Falkland Islands
is considerable. Commercial fishing in the south-west Atlantic (SWA) commenced in the early 1970's. However, this did not have much impact on the Falkland Islands until the introduction of the 150 nautical mile Falklands Interim Conservation and Management Zone (FICZ) in February 1987. The zone
was introduced in response to concern about the increasing levels of uncontrolled fishing in the SWA, and close to the Falkland Islands, in particular. The immediate effect of the zone was that FIG reduced the number of vessels fishing around the Falkland Islands to around 200, whereas 600 had
been recorded in previous years, as all vessels now fishing within the zone require a licence from FIG.
The main resources of the fishery are two species of squid; Illex argentinus and Loligo gahi. The majority of Illex are caught by specialised squid jigging vessels from the Far East. Loligo are fished mainly by trawlers registered in the Falklands. In addition to squid there are a number of finfish
species including: blue whiting; hake; hoki; and toothfish, the latter being the target species of a longline fishery.
FIG's Fisheries Department is responsible for administering the fishery. The management system reflects the volatile nature of the main squid species, which only live for one year. To ensure that conservation targets are achieved, fishing effort is controlled by limiting the number of vessels
licensed to fish within the zone, and in the case of the finfish, the mesh size permitted for use. Catch data is collected on a daily basis and passed to Imperial College in London, who are contracted to undertake stock assessments and advise on fishery management.
Revenue from the sale of fishing licences amounted to £13.5 million in 2004. The cost to FIG of managing and researching the fishery is c. £6 million per annum.
Surveillance and enforcement relies on two BN2 Defender aircraft operated by the Government Air Service (FIGAS) and two ocean-going patrol vessels. Both fishery protection vessels, the ‘Dorada’ and the ‘Sigma’ are chartered from a local shipping company. The ‘Dorada’ is equipped to undertake fisheries
and oceanographic research work and undertakes a number of research cruises each year. Some 33% of fishery protection vessel time is taken up by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for fisheries enforcement and research in that area.
Serious conservation problems are experienced with Illex squid as a result of its migratory nature. Illex spend a period of their life cycle on the high seas, where they continue to be subjected to largely uncontrolled fishing effort. As a consequence the FICZ of 150nm radius was reinforced in 1990
by the introduction of the Falklands Outer Conservation Zone (FOCZ) of 200nm from coastal baselines, thus affording a greater area of protection.
A South Atlantic Fisheries Commission (SAFC) has been established, involving Britain and Argentina, to explore ways of improving conservation of migratory and straddling stocks. Species such as Illex and blue whiting have a distribution that includes both Argentine waters and the Falklands' conservation zone.
The most pressing issue is the development of a regional fisheries or multilateral agreement which would extend conservation measures to the high seas. The political process involving the Falkland Islands, Great Britain and Argentina, which culminated in the 14 July 1999 Joint Statement, has given added impetus to
the work of the SAFC. It extended co-operation between Argentina and the Falklands to fishery protection issues.
The fishery generates the majority of FIG’s revenue and presents some of the largest economic opportunities for Falkland companies. These opportunities include direct involvement in the fishery
through catching, processing and marketing, and in the service sector. There are now 26 ocean-going fishing vessels registered in Stanley. The Falkland Islands Government introduced a new fisheries policy in 2005, which will change the emphasis from the current system of licences to a system based on property
rights in the fishery. It is envisaged that this change will result in greater involvement by Falkland companies in the fishery.
www.falklandislands.com/business/fisheries.asp
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Key Economic Sectors > Aquaculture Falkland Islands, Desire the right
