As reported in the St Helena Independent on Friday 5^th March, the Argos Georgia is currently patrolling the waters around these islands (Ascension, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha), both to act as a deterrent to poachers and also to provide important information on the incidence of illegal fishing activity. The Argos Georgia came into Clarence Bay early on Sunday morning to embark our Conservation Officer, Stedson Stroud, (who is also our Sea Fisheries Officer), who will be on board for part of the patrol. The Administrator also went on board for a briefing from the Fisheries Protection Officer on the vessel concerning the patrol’s activities and findings so far. DfID, or Department for International Development, is funding the patrol which is part of ongoing work aimed at providing options for a possible regional approach to fisheries across the whole territory of Ascension, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. It is hoped that we will shortly have a report on this that has been prepared by MRAG (formerly the Marine Resources Advisory Group) and that before long we can be in a position to sell fisheries licences to companies interested in fishing our waters. That would not only help ensure that only reputable companies were involved, therefore helping to manage fish stocks in a sustainable way, but also bring in some much needed income.

Administrator’s Office

Georgetown

15 March 2010