The Falkland Islands Government is reportedly considering the potential for developing large-scale commercial fish-farming activities off the South Atlantic archipelago.
An in-depth public consultation on a set of proposals for the potential development of fish-farming is planned for next year, as reported by Merco Press.
As part of the process, a range of evidence and information will be presented for consideration, after the consultation was raised in the Legislative Assembly earlier this month.
FIG is running a scoping exercise, an assessment of various factors including social and economic impacts, to establish what further information and evidence the public and stakeholder groups want included among the aspects and materials considered, as per the outlet.
The process will remain open until December 1. Earlier this month, James Wilson, Deputy Director of Natural Resources, told FITV, that the scoping exercise is being carried out “to make sure that people have the chance to help us create a good consultation”.
A report on legislation related to fish farming, one on best practices and environmental impact, and one on socio-economic impacts is being prepared.
He said the consultation will put forward four options for levels of fish farming in the Falklands. These would be for “niche” only farming, such as organic, fishing at the industrial carry capacity – which refers to the number of individuals in a population of a particular species that the resources in the habitat can support – or below it.
There would also be the option to rule out large-scale fish farming.
Earlier this month, Argentine President Javier Milei issued another warning about Britain’s continued sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, telling an Argentinian radio station his government is determined to “recover” them.
However, the Argentine President, a close ally of Donald Trump, was clear that any route to taking the islands from the UK would come via diplomatic means.
Speaking to Radio Rivadavia, Melei said his government was working hard “on the diplomatic front to recover the Falkland Islands and will exhaust all roads for that purpose”.
“We are working hard to achieve that”, he added.
In October of this year, Sir Keir Starmer insisted both the Falklands and Gibraltar would remain under British control in accordance with the desire of the local population.
