FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: THURSDAY, 08 JULY 2004

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

HIGH PRAISE FOR TRISTAN’S CONSERVATION EFFORTS AT UNESCO COMMITTEE MEETING

By J. Brock (SARTMA)

Tristan da Cunha’s conservation efforts have been praised at the 28^th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Suzhou, China.  The Committee added Inaccessible Island and the marine waters up to 12 nautical miles to Gough Island World Heritage Natural Site under the new name, “Gough and Inaccessible Islands.” 

According to Tristan da Cunha’s Conservation Officer, Mr. James Glass, “All on Tristan are very proud of this world recognition of their conservation efforts, which amounts to approximately 44% of the Tristan Group.  This effort was achieved despite the devastating hurricane that destroyed the Island’s entire infrastructure on 21 May 2001.

Tristan’s conservationists have paid much at on cleaning up the hurricane’s mess on Nightingale Island, where there are approximately 25,000 nesting penguins.  During subsequent years, Tristan da Cunha Conservation turned its efforts to land eco-tourists on Inaccessible Island to see endemic species that are now on a bona fide world heritage site.

When one considers the vast area of the South Atlantic that Tristan da Cunha’s Community are responsible for, there is a realisation of the monumental task that they have achieved. 

Ascension :

PUBLIC NOTICE

Members of the Public are hereby advised that with effect from 1st July 2004, the Ascension Island Government will be operating the Port of Georgetown in accordance with the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).  Members of the Public are hereby advised that with effect from 1st July 2004, the Ascension Island Government will be operating the Port of Georgetown in accordance with the provisions of the  International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). This Code, which is being implemented across the world, is designed to reduce the risk to ships and people using the port.

Under the Code a manned checkpoint and temporary security fencing will be introduced at the point of entry to the port. Information Notices will be in place when certain ships are in port (including the RMS St Helena) and we ask that members of the public read the notices and abide by any directions given by the Port Security Officers.

This will mean that only authorised persons will be allowed within the port area when ships are in port. Workers, passengers and authorised visitors must have a photo ID and people and vehicles may be subject to search.  Visitors and workers and any other authorised persons will be required to sign a security log when entering and leaving the Port area. 

In relation to passengers who have to join the RMS at Ascension in the short term we will continue to use the current Terminal. Friends and relatives will be allowed in this area.  However, once passengers go through the checkpoint they will be in a secure area within the Port facility and they will not be allowed to return to the terminal.

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 08 JULY 2004

TOOTHFISH CONFISCATED:

Nineteen tonnes of Toothfish has been offloaded from Long-liner, the IBSA QBINTO after she was called back into port for catch verification.  The fish were offloaded after the vessel was found to have caught 19 tonnes over her licence limit.  The IPSA QUINTO is operated by a Spanish Company, Fiera Mar, the agents for a local company, Quark Fishing.  I asked Quark’s local director, Mike Summers, exactly what had happened and how.

MS:  What has happened is the vessel has arrived for its cargo inspection with slightly more fish onboard than it should have had, according to its allocation.  So, the South Georgia Government have decided that it should be taken off.  That’s what’s happened.  How did it happen?  I guess that the Captain hasn’t been sufficiently vigilant in checking the weights of boxes in the factory deck.  When an assessment is made as to how much fish is going into the hold, it’s been incorrect.

SG:  Nineteen tonnes have been taken off out of what sort of total catch for the season?

MS:  The vessel was allocated 300 tonnes as a catch, which should have resulted in 171 tonnes of product.  So, it was about 10% above the allowed limit.

SG:  And, how much would this 19 tonnes have been worth if it made it to the market?

MS:  I’m not sure.  I don’t know what the selling price is for this particular consignment.  But I suppose somewhere between $150,000.00 and $200,000.00.

SG:  Is there any fine on top of this or is it a matter of having the stuff confiscated?

MS:  Not to my knowledge but that’s a matter for the South Georgia Government.  They have not indicated any such thing.

SG:  The IBSA QUINTO left FIPASS last night.  Now alongside is another South Georgia Long-liner, the ISLA SOPHIA, having her catch verified.  The only vessels fishing in the zone are two CFL Long-liners, the Valiant and the Gambler.

BELGRANO ATTACK JUSTIFIED:

The man who captained the Belgrano when she was torpedoed in May 1982 has told a TV documentary that he believes that the attack was justified.  Hector Bonzo was at the bridge of the Belgrano when HMS Conqueror lobbed three torpedoes into the vessel, killing 323 men.  He’s told a Channel 4 programme “Secret History” that the mission wasn’t just to cruise around but to attack.  We knew we had to be ready to attack or be attacked ourselves,” he said.  “Secret History” says it was actually a move of Military necessity, which forced the Argentine Navy to withdraw its vessels and so hasten the conclusion of the conflict.

NEW FALKLANDS HYDROCARBONS WEBSITE:

A new website has been set up to capitalise on the growing interest in oil exploration in Falklands waters.  The site, www.falklands-oil.com is full of technical information aimed at companies that are interested in oil prospecting, to save them having to call the Department for details of the potential for exploration.  Designed by Alex Blake and hosted by the British Geological Survey, the site gives details of exploration already carried out, future potential and the logistics of doing business in the Falklands.  At this morning’s meeting of the Mineral Resources Committee, Director, Phyl Rendell welcomed the site and said it had come about because of the steady rise in the number of enquiries being received by the Department.

TALK AND DEMONSTRATION:

Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins has given a presentation about his work in the Falklands to members of the UK’s Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth.  He told members yesterday about the excellent service delivery model he has introduced to the Falkland Islands Government.  In the introduction to his speech, he describes the Falklands as “a thriving and dynamic United Kingdom Overseas Territory.

THE GREAT PRETENDER:

A man who pretended to be a Falklands and Iraq war hero to woo lonely women has been uncovered as a fat, middle-aged hotelier from Essex.  The Daily Mail reports that Paul Harris told a series of women that a scar on his leg was from a bullet wound sustained in the Falklands war and, that his experiences here in 1982 lead to him now working as a courier taking important papers from London to Iraq.  But when he told the women he deceived he was heading off to Brize Norton on another secret mission, he was, in fact, heading back to his hotel in Rumford.  The lies were uncovered when the Hotel receptionist, who he was also dating, contacted one of the women he deceived.  Another of the women tells the newspaper, reality dawned on her one morning when he was in bed telling her he was off to do a parachute jump that day.  She said, “suddenly, looking at his body, greying hair and large pot belly, I knew there was no way this middle aged man would be leaping out of an aeroplane. 

(100X Transcription Service)

The photo shows Grytviken as it was being cleaned up.