FINN (COM) DAILY RECORD: FRIDAY, 04 JUNE 2004

 

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

 

ALL SET FOR JELLY TOTS FANCY DRESS COMPETITION

 

By J. Brock (FINN)

 

The Jelly Tots will be holding their annual fancy dress competition in the Town Hall on Sunday, 20 June 2004 from 1400 to 1600.

 

The competition is open to children from 0 to 11 years.  Parents and friends are also welcome to lend support but would they bring a plate of nibbles for the party table.

 

 

                              

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 04 JUNE 2004

 

MEAT NEEDS MARKETING:

 

FIMCO’s Ben Berntsen has warned that all will be disastrous if the post of Marketing Manager with FIDC is not refilled.  Mr. Berntsen asked yesterday’s panel at the Hope Cottage Road Show, whether Connie Stevens was to be replaced when she moves to tourism.  Cllr. Mike Summers (MS), Chairman of the Falkland Islands Development Board, told farmers this:

 

MS:  I’m not sure, to be honest with you.  We did discuss it at the last meeting in general terms but the General Manager of FIDC was not present.  There are a number of things going on at FIDC in terms of changing the way they operate and what sort of skills that they need.  And, we really need to wait until he is present  to have another discussion about whether to do that or not to do that.  So, the matter is in abeyance. 

 

CS:  I guess it’s an option not to replace that position.  Certainly I know that whilst it’s not been discussed in any detail at all by the board, there are a number of Members of the Board who, at the moment, would not go along with the suggestion that the position shouldn’t be replaced.  I am choosing my words carefully because I can’t answer you directly.  All I can say for certain is the post will be becoming vacant when Connie transfers over to Tourism.  But the Board is going through a process not least as a result of the business survey that they did a few months ago.  An awful lot of information came out about businesses on the Islands and what is expected and needed from FIDC.  Clearly, FIDC needs to structure itself to meet those demands.  What the Board wasn’t satisfied with at the last meeting, was that proper consideration had been given to all of that information before reaching any conclusion about that post.  And, we wanted to see the whole picture of how it was going to be structured rather than look at the individual positions.

 

LH:  Connie Stevens’ hard work on the marketing of Falklands meat has meant that Farmers have had a considerable increase on the price of meat sold this year as opposed to last year.  Around 30 farmers were at yesterday’s meeting, as well as the Councillors, the Chief Executive and Director of Minerals and Agriculture.  The budget was the main item on the agenda but Coastal Shipping was also talked about at some length.  Farmers felt the service was lacking in many ways including failure to keep to schedules.  The Chief Executive said the service would be looked at in the coming months and noted the farmers’ concerns.  He said a meeting was planned for a couple of weeks’ time as Ian Wilkinson was on holiday.  Other topics discussed included AI and ET and freight rates. 

 

The team moved on to Goose Green this morning, with Cllrs. Mike Summers and Richard Cockwell in attendance.  Next Thursday, Cllrs. Jan Cheek and Norma Edwards will take part in the meeting at Fox Bay.

 

NATHANIEL B. PALMER:

 

There are hopes that scientific work carried out onboard the research ship, Nathaniel B. Palmer, could help combat Toothfish piracy.  When the vessel called into FIPASS last week I spoke to one of the scientists, Professor Bill Dietrich (BD).

 

BD:  This Toothfish is basically found in sub-Antarctic waters around the world.  One of the things we are interested in is the population genetics of the Toothfish and developing molecular markers that would allow you to distinguish where various fish populations originated.

 

Note:  FINN has covered this subject twice in the past and will distribute a new story shortly.

 

AI AND ET EXPERTS’ LAST DAY IN THE ISLANDS:

 

Back on the subject of Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, today is the last day of the current programme.  Reproductive Technology Specialist, Adrian Beech, has been here for two weeks travelling between four centres: Saladero, Goose Green, West Lagoons and Cape Dolphin.  Children from Year 6 are also taking the opportunity to see how the process works as they are travelling out to Goose Green today to watch Adrian and the team in Action.

 

LICENSING JUSTICES:

 

The Licensing Justices approved four applications this morning.  The first was from Rob McKay, who asked for a Justices On Licence for Sea Lion Lodge, Terry Clifton applied for an extension until 0030 in the Stanley Arms for a wedding on the 19^th of June.  Sue Evans was granted an Occasional Licence for the Camp Education Dance, which takes place on the 16^th of June and Ali Jacobsen was given permission for a Bar on the Beach at Surf Bay during the Mid Winter Swim.

 

HARBOUR NEWS:

 

The Tanker, Zalgares came in to port this afternoon to pick up fuel.  The Typhoon is laid up at the East Jetty and will be there for some months.  Things are quiet in the zone.  There are 7 vessels fishing at the moment, which were reduced to 6 today and then down to 5 over the weekend.  Catches of Ray are poor this time of year and the Experimental Lolligo trawler is reporting catches in the mid teens.

 

(100X Transcription Service)