News this week that Argentina had decided to undertake fisheries
research in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is not
connected in any way to the Falklands, Acting Governor Sandra
Tyler-Haywood has assured.
Speculation that it could be deemed a “ratcheting up,” was unfounded,
she said adding that South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are a
completely different territory to the Falkland Islands and it was not
in Argentina’s interest to upset the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR), of which it was a founding member.
Mrs Tyler-Haywood said although the Argentine vessel ‘Dr. Eduardo Holmberg’ had
only sailed from Mar del Plata on April 26, Falklands’ Government House
had been aware of plans for the cruise since January 2013.
The ‘ Dr. Eduardo Holmberg’ had been boarded and checked by the British Antarctic Survey’s RRS James Clark Ross (JCR)
last Tuesday, as is the right of all CCAMLR members. Mrs Tyler Haywood
said the inspector from the JCR had been welcomed on board the Argentine
vessel carrying 14 scientists, and it was apparent all CCAMLR
regulations were being complied with.
To date 15 test trawls have been carried out to the northwest and
south of South Georgia with further trawls planned for the northern part
of the island before the ‘Eduardo Holmberg’ returns to Argentina at the
end of May.
Argentina had notified CCAMLR of their intention to carry out the
research cruise; however what they failed to do was to inform the UK
which is normal for vessels to do when operating within a British
Overseas Territory.
Mrs Tyler-Haywood confirmed that a letter had been lodged with CCAMLR
to circulate to all members expressing dismay at the lack of
notification.
“Had they notified us we would have still issued permission, it would
not have been refused because it was an Argentine vessel,” she
explained, adding that because Argentina would not accept South Georgia
and the South Sandwich Islands were a British Overseas Territory, they
did not think they had to obtain approval. Notifying and obtaining
authority applies to all countries including Britain.
“If any further notifications are received from Argentina we will
treat them in accordance with every application we get for that kind of
cruise and will take action as we consider appropriate,” said Mrs
Tyler-Haywood, adding: “The key thing for Islanders is that there is no
evidence at all of it being related to the Falklands referendum, there
is a separate dispute between Argentina and the UK on SGSSI, it’s not
all lumped together.” (PN)
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