FINN (COM) Daily Record: 17 November 2003

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

POPPY APPEAL DANCE:

Around £1400.00 was raised on Friday evening at this year’s Poppy Appeal Ball. There was a larger than expected turn-out, boosting funds for the Poppy Appeal’s work for former servicemen and women. Everyone looked very glamorous as they took part in the old-time dancing. The Hall was decked out in patriotic style with plenty of red white and blue, helium balloons and table decorations and there was an austere 1940s style meal of bangers and mash. Here’s what organiser, Alan Jones (AJ), had to say about the evening:

AJ: It was very good. We made more than we expected. People entered into the spirit of the whole affair. The Legion did very well out of it. I thought the food was excellent. I don’t know about the vegetarian one. I never tried that one but the sausage and mash was brilliant.

SG: The big hit of the evening was the raffle with Civil/Military Liaison Officer, Mark Brennon and "Q" Mines, Tay Taylor managing to sell ticket after ticket to participants, raising £400.00 to add to the £1,000.00 already made on the door.

ALBATROSS GAIN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION:

Falklands Conservation has praised the wonderful news that Albatross are to gain international protection, after South Africa became the 5^th country to ratify an international treaty in reducing Longliner related deaths. The agreement on the conservation of Albatross and Petrels, known as ACAP, obliges signatories to reduce the number of Longliner deaths and to take steps to protect breeding areas. The treaty had already been signed by Ecuador, New Zealand and Spain but needed a 5^th country before it came into force. It will now be enforced from February next year.

ARGENTINA REFUSES TO SIGN ANTI-POACHING AGREEMENT:

Argentina has refused to sign an agreement between 24 countries to fight poaching in Antarctic Waters. The Argentine Government considers the controls due to come into place in 2004 are a threat to national sovereignty because the country would lose control over its own national waters to other states, including the UK. Russia also refused to sign the agreement, which would have seen the establishment of a centralised fleet control system based in Australia regulating all vessels close to Antarctica. The issue was discussed at the CCAMLR meeting in Hobart, Tasmania last week. Argentine representatives said they had a very good satellite monitoring system of their own and did not need to sign up to the agreement.

HARBOUR NEWS:

The harbour has been quiet with just the CFL Valiant coming in with a medical case on Saturday. She took on fuel and left the same day to continue fishing for Toothfish in the Zone. The Korean vessel, Insung 66 is also fishing for Toothfish, while the CFL Pioneer is out of commission. There are 12 vessels in the zone. Most are fishing for Hoki and other finfish. Spanish Finfish trawler, Arpon, left yesterday when her license expired and 7 others will expire before the end of the month. Some vessels are extending their licences in order to fill up their holds, as catches in the zone are quite variable. On the 14^th, the Golden Touza came back into the zone after she had been fishing outside. The only other activity in the zone, is the on-going experimental scallop fishery, which the Uruguayan trawler, the Holberg, is carrying out. The previous scallop boat, the Avilmad, had to leave for repairs.

POLICE NEWS:

It was a quiet weekend for the Police. About2110 on Friday they were called to a disturbance in the Rose Bar, where Officers found a man they described as "a bit upset and angry." He was escorted off the premises. On Saturday night just before midnight, a man reported that his wallet had been stolen near Fred’s Berger Bar on the corner of Philomel Street and John Street. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Police.

PUBLIC MEETING:

Just a reminder that your chance to quiz Councillors comes tomorrow evening. There will be a public meeting in the Town Hall Court and Council Chamber at 1700.

BARGY:

The current state of UK/Argentine relations over the Falklands hit the British Press yesterday There was a report that Islanders had desired stronger support from the UK after what Scotland on Sunday calls serious but aggressive diplomatic moves by Argentina, designed to raise the stakes in its age old battle to gain control of the Islands.

The article runs through recent diplomatic developments including a plea made by Sir Rex Hunt to keep Michael Portillo away from Last months ABC conference because it would give the meeting too high a profile.

The Falkland Islands Association Newsletter article has nothing to say about the flights from South America to the Islands, which Argentina recently threatened to ban.

(100X Transcription Service)

CRUISE SHIPS:

There are two cruise vessels calling in to Stanley tomorrow Tuesday 18th
November 2003. The Seven Seas Mariner has 430 passengers and 380 crew
onboard. The ETA is 1100hrs and the ETD is 1700hrs.

The Akademik Ioffe has 77 passengers on board and the ETA is 0800hrs in
Stanley Harbour. The passengers will embark on a one hour Stanley Tour at
0815hrs.

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Round two of the new FIGC Shotgun season saw a small group take on the new doubles competition. 5 shooters shot it out with some surprising results on the day. There is still time to join the season as we are scoring six of the nine shoots in the season. This weeks results were as follows;

The league table stands as below for this week.

Next league shoot is on Sunday 7^th December, Sporting.. Why not come along and try your luck. The shoot planned for Sunday 28^th December has been re-scheduled to Sunday 21^st December. See you then.

AND FINALLY:

Hi

I am a Chilean researcher in Punta Arenas,

and I hear some rumours about

one UFO over Mount Pleasant airport

last Sunday at 2 PM.

I need some confirmation, of you about this if really happened

or is another phenomena.

Thank you

Francisco Abarzua

Researcher

Punta Arenas Chile

56-094858800