Falkland Islands

Blockade targets Falklands fishing fleet

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It is reported that Argentina is effectively conducting a naval blockade of fishing vessels that threatens to isolate the Falkland Islands.

The country is demanding all ships using Argentine waters en route to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands must have permits.

And it is understood the Argentine president Cristina Kirchner has threatened to suspend the Falklands air link, set up in a deal between the UK and Argentina in 1999 unless Britain enters talks about the sovereignty of the islands.

Twelve Spanish boats, operating under fishing licences issued by the Falkland Islands, have been boarded by Argentine patrols and accused of violating a “legal” blockade of sea channels to the Falklands in the last few weeks.

The boarding operations took place in the Rio de la Plata estuary between Argentina and Uruguay.

Meanwhile CELAC – a newly formed block of South American and Caribbean countries - backed Argentina’s claim to the islands on Saturday.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph the Falkland Islands legislative assembly has accused Argentina of trying to isolate the islands from South America.

“The Falkland Islands Government has no doubt about its right to issue licences to foreign companies to fish in its waters,” said member Mike Summers.

“There have been other difficulties in recent months with Falklands flagged vessels seeking to use South American ports; Argentina seeks to prevail on its neighbours to implement its foreign policy for it, by denying access to their ports for vessels doing business in the Falklands.”

In a s statement the Foreign Office said: "Although we are aware that Argentina has recently challenged vessels transiting between the Falklands and the port of Montevideo – purportedly under Argentine Decree 256, we are not aware of any vessel that has been fined or individual that arrested.

"The UK has protested to Argentina, and has firmly rejected Decree 256. We consider that it is not compliant with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"UNCLOS provides for ships of all States to enjoy the right of innocent passage through territorial seas.

"The UK is clear that no vessel needs to comply with Argentine Decree 256 when transiting Argentine waters. However, decision is ultimately a matter for ships’ owners."