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No 118 April 2020No 118 April 2020

peoplepeoplepoliticspoliticsfi shingfi shing

tourismtourismagricultureagriculture

environmentenvironment

Falkland Islands Newsletter

Published by The Falkland Islands Association Published by The Falkland Islands Association www.fi association.comwww.fi association.com

FIANewsletterApril2020.indd 1 31/03/2020 13:22

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All change all changeWELCOME to the spring edition of our Newsletter. The Islanders’ dedication to protecting their unique environment is a key theme to this edition, including the registration under the Falklands fl ag of the RSS Sir Richard Attenborough, (below left) but also the Islanders’ pride in their rich history and their determination to engage with the outside world, be that in sport, commerce, tourism or politics.

The turn of the year and the dawn of the new decade has brought changes and new challenges both in Britain, with the election of the new government under Boris Johnson, and in Argentina with the return to political offi ce of Cristina de Kirchner and Daniel Filmus. We hope that the latter, whose record of mischief making on Falklands issues is well known, will have taken note of Boris Johnson’s fi rm declaration in his traditional Christmas message to the Islanders that he is “Not in the business of ignoring referendum results”.

Over the past 12 months the FIA Executive Committee (ExCo), all of whom are volunteers, have been working hard to ensure that whatever the future might bring our organisation was ready to support the Islanders eff ectively. Over our long history, going back to the 1968 Emergency Committee, our organisation has adapted in line with the Islands political, economic and social development. The advent of modern electronic communications and of social media have added a further twist.

We were keen that the FIA ExCo should properly refl ect the role and obligations of a body, which is responsible for administering around £50,000 of annual funding. Some of this work has been about the way we operate – updating and revising the 1984 Constitution, engaging with and consulting members more. Other work has centred on improving our technology and the skills to use it.

An eff ective online presence is a key tool for any modern lobbying organisation. A new, mobile compatible, FIA website went live in September last year, properly linked to our social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The online payment process had been streamlined and new email addresses @fi association created for key ExCo offi ce holders.

Over the coming year we will continue this work, including by a major membership drive. You can help us as existing members to spread the word.

The major event this year will be the SS Great Britain Exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the return of Brunel’s iconic steamship from the Falkland Islands. (more details in the article inside). ExCo members Bev Verwoert, Peter Johnson and Deborah Northwood have worked closely with the SS Great Britain Trust, FIG and sponsors to highlight the Falkland’s unique culture and environment during this event. I do hope many of you will fi nd time to visit it.

There have been changes too in the Falkland Islands Association Executive Council (ExCo) with the four members (Saul Pitaluga, David Ainslie, Mike Bowles and Steve Wiggins) standing down after many years service. We welcomed Peter Judge, the former Attorney General in Stanley, as a new member of ExCo and we are on the look out for others to join us over the course of the year.

For my part, personal circumstances have forced me to relinquish the chair with eff ect from 2 March 2020 and a search for my successor is already in hand. So, this is my last contribution to the Newsletter and my sincere thanks go to all members of the ExCo for their hard work over the last year as well as to all Members of the Association for their support.

RSS Sir Richard Attenborough and SS Great Britain

Falkland IslandsAssociationNewsletter

Published by: The Falkland IslandsAssociation,Falkland House,LondonSW1H OBH

Tel 020 3764 0824honsec@fi association.comISSN 0262-9399

Edited by:Lisa WatsonStanleyFalkland Islandslisawatsonfi @gmail.com

Website

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by FIA Chair John Duncan OBE

editorial



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Tym MarshHon Sec FIA

AGM 2019. Owing to rail strikes, the 2019 AGM was slipped to 25 January 2020. In the event, about 56 Members and guests met at the Royal United Services Institute in Whitehall. As well as the usual formalities there was an exceptional item, namely, the consideration of the new Constitution. After a constructive and thoughtful discussion the Constitution was agreed and came into use immediately. The text can be seen on the Members' Area of the website and a copy will be sent by email to any Member who requests it. After the business meeting, there was a buff et lunch which provided a good opportunity to meet up with old friends. To conclude, there was a showing of an excellent documentary fi lm about the Battle of the Falklands in 1914 and the search for the German warships which were sunk in that bitter engagement.

AGM 2020. The next AGM is to be held in London on Saturday 5 December 2020 and further details will be provided in the October Newsletter.

Membership Categories. At the moment, the Association has a complicated membership structure with no less than 10 diff erent categories including: with Newsletter, without Newsletter, in UK, abroad, and so on. This all looks rather confusing and is off -putting for potential new

Members; it is also tricky to administer. Therefore, the Executive Committee is considering the possibility of reducing the number of categories as a preliminary to mounting a drive to recruit many more new Members. It is hoped to conclude these discussions in the near future and any changes which aff ect existing Members will be communicated at the next convenient opportunity.

Members' Area of the Website. It is the intention of the Executive Committee that we should try and keep Members better informed and be more transparent about the workings of the Association. The

Members' Area of the website will be increasingly be used so Members are warmly encouraged sign up by following the online instructions.

Email Addresses. For most Members we now have email addresses on record but for about 280 Members they are lacking. Recently, we needed to inform everyone about the change to the date of the AGM. This was quick, easy and free to those for whom we have email addresses but it required a letter to the remainder. The costs of a mailout to the 280 Members came to £790. So, please, if you have an email address, let us have it as this will help us keep administrative costs down.

Funds. We have done fairly well in recent years in balancing the books. But running an organisation such as the FIA inevitably becomes more expensive with the passage of time. If any Member is able to raise funds on our behalf, or to direct funds large or small towards us, that would be immensely helpful and appreciated.

Thanks to Members. Finally, I would like to thank all Members for their continuing support. As we know, the Argentinian claim to the Falklands continues unrelentingly. The Association stands ready to leap to the defence of the Islands if that should become necessary and we cannot aff ord to be complacent.

The Secretary’s Desk


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News

THE Royal Research Ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, was fl agged to the Falkland Islands and offi cially named in a ceremony at Birkenhead, near Liverpool on September 26, 2019

Commissioned by Natural Environ-ment Research Council, built by Cam-mell Laird and operated by British Antarctic Survey, the new research platform will carry out work in the Po-lar regions.

Sir David Attenborough said that the ship’s role would be vital: “This aston-ishing ship will fi nd the science with which to deal with the problems that are facing the world today and will in-creasingly do so tomorrow.” He also said it had been a great hon-our to have such a ship named after him.

The Duke and Duchess of Cam-bridge were also at the naming cer-emony; the Duchess offi cially named the new ship.

Speaking after the event the Falk-land Islands Government’s Marine Of-fi cer, Captain Chris Locke said: “It’s a great honour to have such an impor-tant scientifi c vessel on the Falklands Flag.

A signifi cant amount of work has been undertaken by the Falkland Islands Government to ensure the vessels registration went ahead on schedule. It was a privilege to be able to attend the ceremony.”

Sir David Attenborough has a maxi-mum speed of 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) in open water and ability to break up to 1-metre (3.3 ft) thick level

ice at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph). At an economical cruising speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph), she has an operating range of 19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km; 22,000 mi). For manoeuvring and dynamic posi-tioning, the vessel has four 1,580 kW (2,120 hp) Tees White Gill thrusters,

RRS Sir David Attenborough registered to the Falkland Islands

two in the bow and two in the stern.Her ice class, Polar Class 4, is in-

tended for year-round operation in thick fi rst-year ice which may include old ice inclusions.

However, her propulsion system is rated for Polar Class 5 which is in-tended for medium fi rst-year ice.

Above: Sir David Attenborough with Falkland Islands Govern-ment Marine Offi cer, Captain Chris Locke. Right: The ship herself

THE Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has selected a development partner to design and build a new port in Stanley Harbour.

After an extensive global procurement process, the Falklands Government announce that it has agreed BAM Nuttall Ltd as its development partner, subject to successful conclusion of contract. The aim is for the contract to be agreed and signed by the end of March 2020.

FIG Chief Executive Barry Rowland said a new port is an indispensable asset to support the economy and enable ongoing future economic growth in the Falkland Islands.

“As is well known, the existing FIPASS [fl oating dock] facility is fast approaching the end of its life. Today’s exciting news is the fi rst step

New port design partner chosen by Falklandsin designing a new facility that can handle both our current needs, and our projected future demands.”

Development and Commercial Services portfolio holder, MLA Dr Barry Elsby, said there have been studies and reports into future port options over the past 20 years.

“I am therefore delighted that this Assembly has taken the decision to build the new port, and so deliver on the commitment in the Islands Plan.”

Martin Bellamy, Managing Director of BAM Nuttall Ltd said: “We are excited to be part of such a critical national infrastructure project for the Falkland Islands and we look forward to working together with the Falkland Islands Government and our team in designing and constructing the port that will serve as a new gateway

to the Falkland Islands. It is our collective ambition that this project suits the needs of everyday life on the islands and can provide longer-term economic benefi ts.”

Tenderers were asked to review the most suitable location for a new port and propose their location as part of their tender returns. The new facility will be in the vicinity of the current port, off ering new facilities that will benefi t key users in the fi shing, tourism and shipping sectors, as well as many other parts of the economy.

Early contractor involvement will allow designs to be developed collaboratively from the outset, involving the contractor from an early stage in seeking the best solutions to meet current and future demand.


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GRAHAM Minto, Zachary Stephen-son, and Michael “Tex” Alazia were presented with the Queen’s Cer-ti cate and Badge of Honour by His Excellency the Governor, Mr Nigel Phillips last year. Mr Alazia was also awarded a BEM in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

In presenting the Queen’s badge to Mr Minto and Mr Stephenson the Gov-ernor made reference to the “selfless bravery you both showed in March 1998 when you saved the life of jigger crewmen ... It is your professionalism and dedication to duty that we recog-nise today.”

Likewise, as he presented the badge to Mr Alazia, the Governor highlighted “the contributions you have given, and continue to give, to the commu-nity. Indeed, from numerous charita-ble sponsored walks, shearathons, to assisting fellow farmers, one attribute amongst many stands out: your will-ingness to help others.”

Mr Alazia’s BEM was also for his dedication to his charity work. He takes time to provide support to those overseas with serious medical condi-tions and also when they return.

In relation to the jigger ( shing ves-sel) crewmen rescue Mr Stephenson and Mr Minto described how they had been out in their work launch on the day in question when they got a call telling them that some crew had

jumped from a ship.They saw two bodies in the water

and rst went to the one who they thought was in the worse condition. They lifted him aboard the launch, before going to the aid of the second one.

Mr Stephenson, who had the wheel,

said he had to “roughly guess” where the second person was, as by that time he had disappeared under the water.

“We got lucky,” he said, and after Mr Minto lifted him to the surface with a boat hook, they both hauled him aboard the launch.

Falklands men honoured by the Queen

Mr Minto and Mr Stephenson received the Queen’s Certifi cate and Medal as did Mr Alazia who was also honoured with the BEM at a later date

TWO Falklands youths represented the Falkland Islands at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in India in November 2019.

Emmaleigh Middleton and Thomas Short joined other youths in Delhi from around the Commonwealth.

As part of the programme they visted the Delhi Assembly, where they learnt about the role of legislatures and legislators, at the formal opening of the CYP.

At the 10th CYP they had the opportunity to choose their party systems to debate on The Climate Fund for Women Bill, 2019.

This was an Act to set up a climate fund for women ‘to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and adapt to climate change in order to empower them for resilience and adjustment against unfavourable and hostile impacts of climate change on agriculture’.

Falklands youths represent Islands at Commonwealth Parliamentary Association FALKLANDS badminton players

found themselves the subject of a political row at the Pan Am Cup in Brazil in mid February.

After arriving in Salvador de Bahia in Brazil the Falklands women’s team of seven faced signifi cant pressure from Argentina to play under the name Islas Malvinas or pull out.

Chair and Coach Doug Clark met with the Badminton Pan Am President and the tournament organisers and informed them they, “would not give in to bullies” and not withdraw or play under the Pan Am fl ag as suggested as a compromise.

Argentina put pressure on Brazil to pull the entire tournament if the Falklands team did not give in to their demands.

The President of Pan Am Sports fl ew in to Salvador to help deal with the situation. The BWF (Badminton World Federation) and Badminton Pan Am were described as “standing strong” with the Falklands.

Ultimately the team did get to play as planned under their own name.

Argentine pressures Falklands sports teamat Brazil tournament

PeoplePeople


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Environment

A LITTLE over two years on from its separation from the Falkland Islands Government, the South Atlantic Environment Research Institute, SAERI, continues to thrive. Executive Director, Dr Paul Brickle, and one of its Deputy Directors, Tara Pelembe, talk about the institute’s achievements and its vision for the future.

THE geographic and thematic breadth of SAERI’s scientifi c research and projects is nothing short of staggering. Covering every environmental science discipline and ranging from South Georgia to the Caribbean, SAERI’s sphere of infl uence and reputation has, to use a scientifi c cliché, grown exponentially since its inception in 2012.

SAERI’s project portfolio may well be broad, but Executive Director Dr Paul Brickle is clear about its remit: “We are a science organisation, not a conservation organisation.”

The diff erence is crucial, says Paul. It means that SAERI does not lobby or advocate for specifi c policies, but rather provides objective science and data, which industry or governments can then use to make management or policy decisions. Nor is SAERI an NGO, Paul stresses, but an independent research organisation.

Science and independent research have been at the heart of the SAERI project since its birth. Originally established by Government in 2012, in 2017 SAERI went on to become an independent organisation registered both in the Falklands and with the Charities Commission in England.

From the original three founding board members, the board has now grown to seven members across a number of disciplines: science, governance, and industry. The board membership refl ects the Institute’s balance of academia, ‘blue-sky’ science, and applied science.

Academic research and education are a key part of SAERI’s mission, and at present there are seven PhD candidates (soon to be eight) on the Institute’s books. Those candidates are based in the Falklands or elsewhere, with one of the many university partnerships that SAERI has sealed over the last seven years.

PhD students are important to SAERI’s work, says Paul: “They go on to be great ambassadors for SAERI and also they do science; they produce quite a lot of science in a short space of time.”

Science output, measured in peer-reviewed paper publications, is an important metric for measuring the Institute’s success. By that metric

alone, the Institute has shone: “We’re increasing about 15-20% each year. We got 26 out the year before last, which is pretty good for a small organization, and in some quite punchy journals: Proceeding of the National Academy for Sciences, Nature, Science & Nature Reports. If we went on to the equivalent of the UK Research Excellence Framework we’d be up there, which is quite nice,” he adds.

The growth and success of SAERI has at times been hard to keep up with, Paul admits, and on some three occasions the Institute has reached what he describes as “saturation point.”

On two of those previous occasions, the bottleneck has been relieved by appointing deputy directors. The Institute now fi nds itself at saturation point once again, and is currently recruiting for a Deputy Director of Science.

Perhaps the biggest success story in SAERI’s vertiginous growth is that of its international expansion. In addition to its many projects across the South Atlantic, SAERI is carrying out projects in Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, and Namibia.

“Our reach has grown quite a bit, and our reputation as well, so we’re getting lots of organisations wanting to get us involved in other places,” says Paul.

“It’s an export really,” adds Deputy Director Tara Pelembe. And one

which should not be underestimated, she says, pointing out the signifi cance of a population of 3000 “developing innovative, niche solutions and exporting them to other islands.”

Being a small island is a key common denominator, certainly, but Tara argues that SAERI’s experience of working in resource-constrained territories has also been a major selling point for projects in countries like Namibia. A common thread in many of SAERI’s projects, says Tara, is “we have to work within resource limitations.”

Using open licence software, for example, is a key aspect in SAERI’s data management model, which has been exported across the South Atlantic and Caribbean. “In the long term there can be continuity and you can encourage a wide number of users because you’re not tied down to licensed software at high costs,” says Tara.

“And we’re isolated too,” adds Paul, “We fi nd solutions to operating in isolated places ... There’s lots of forward planning and simple solutions rather than convoluted fi rst world solutions.”

Some of that knowledge and experience has been exported through SAERI’s separate limited company, which provides environmental consultancy to governments and industries such as fi sheries, fi sh farming and oil. The limited company provides a source of unrestricted

SAERI exporting Falklands

Above: Kelp forests: subjects of SAERI research projects (pics SAERI and SMSG)


7

income for SAERI through donations and gift aid, and part of the wider plan to become completely self-suffi cient, “the idea is that once [the limited company] grows suffi ciently it will off set the small amount of subvention we get from Government.”

Commercial consultancy aside, much of the science carried out by SAERI stems from not just academic research, but real-world applications: “We always tackle a particular problem if we can and align ourselves to whatever the territory’s priorities are,” says Paul.

To ensure projects retain that applied focus, they are delivered through project management groups that bring together stakeholders from industry and government. That inclusion is all the more important where economic issues are at stake, “you need evidence, and you need consultation to do these things,” Paul stresses.

As part of the drive to ensure science is applied, the Institute is increasingly looking at how Earth observation tools can be developed to support agriculture, “we don’t know much about farm management,”

scientifi c expertise

admits Paul, who maintains that there are tools that could be developed for farmers to use. Tools that could provide information on temporal variations in productivity of the camp, or erosion risk, for example.

Applied or otherwise, SAERI’s many projects are often on the leading edge of scientifi c research: “At least once or twice a year we come across something that’s groundbreaking,” says Paul.

One project, for example, is looking to use a system of cataloguing and processing histology (human tissue) images to process environmental images and identify diff erent habitat

types.Another project may have found a

solution to ensure more consistent success in tussac replanting. It’s still early days and subject to tests and trials, but “if it works this could be exported right across the sub-Antarctic.”

In addition to exporting science, SAERI has become a focal point for visiting scientists, providing logistical support and local know-how.

Those scientists bring money into the Islands, and together with the export of knowledge and the grants made for SAERI projects, it all adds up to a signifi cant fi nancial contribution to the economy. The full extent of that contribution is the subject of an ongoing piece of work, but in grants alone, SAERI was able to multiply its government subvention by a factor of 17 during the last fi nancial year.

But there is symbolic value too, says Tara. Part of the longer term vision is to make the South Atlantic a focal point for science, “to encourage a science profi le for the region, giving a platform for the scientists on our Islands, but also bringing the international science network here.”

By Roddy Cordeiro

Above: The Falklands fritillary. Above right: Executive Director, Dr Paul Brickle

South Georgia - part of coastal mapping project

Environment


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Tourism

THE inaugural second airlink between the Falklands and South America, in this case from São Paulo, Brazil, touched down at Mount Pleasant Airport on November 20, 2019.

Operated by LATAM Airlines, which also operates the link to Santiago Chile, the aircraft carried regular passengers plus a government and trade delegation from the Falklands, which flew to Brazil on the Saturday prior to the flight. Also on board were journalists from the UK, Brazil, the Falklands and Argentina.

The delegation included Members of Legislative Assembly, civil service heads and private sector representatives.

The group met trade of cials and local business leaders in the hope of identifying opportunities for trade and promoting the Falklands.

Chief Executive Barry Rowland assured that the businesses with whom the delegation met would “follow through.”

Mr Rowland was asked if any organisations had shown concern in relation to the Falklands and Argentina.

He replied: “The geopolitics of the region ... was not raised once by the businesses that I spoke to and isn’t something that would appear to fetter the opportunity for trade. Brazil is a con dent nation; it’s certainly identi ed the opportunities and can see the opportunities very early on, and I can say with some con dence that these organisations will follow through.”

He also anticipated that in the new nancial year when things weren’t so busy, there would be a trade delegation of Falklands businesses, but he said the recent delegation allowed that when those people did

visit, “there would be a framework and they will get the best out of their visit.”

Members of the delegation spent time with the British consulate in Sao Paulo learning how trade worked in Brazil as well as with Brazilian tour operators.

Former manager of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation Martin Slater, who has been heavily involved in the lead up to the flight, said it was still very early days, “but I think that once people see the service start they will really start to make those investments in tourism and industries that could bene t from it [the flight].”

He said of course it had so far been dif cult to do business with Brazil because of the dif culty of getting there but obviously this would now change.

With four return trips a month, LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate

The Sao Paulo fl ight lands - Picture: Cpl Andrew Ferguson, BFSAI Photographer

Fifteen years in the making ‘Second fl ight’ touches down

the service between Mount Pleasant and São Paulo; three of the return flights will be non-stop and once a month there will be a stop in Cordoba, Argentina on the southbound and northbound service respectively.

The service will allow passengers to make onward connections to multiple destinations in South and North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Above and below - members of government leave and board the plane


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Tourism

WORLD Tourism Day was recognised with boatloads of enthusiasm in October with 30 industry members turning up to the event at the Jetty Centre.

Organised by Falkland Islands Tourism Association Chair Carli Sudder of Sulivan Shipping Services, the day was themed ‘tourism and jobs and a better future for all’.

The lively few hours included talks by youngsters Tonisha Courtney and Dwight Joshua. Tonisha is on her university placement year with Malvina House Hotel. She is studying Hotel, Resort and Event Management at Gloucester University. Dwight has just fi nished college and has joined

World tourism day in the South Atlantic

Falkland Islands Tours and Travel.Presentations were also given by

Sulivan Shipping Tourism Assistant Ariane Brownlee on fi nishing university and moving into tourism and Falklands Nature’s Andy Pollard who talked about a change of career and taking up tourism later in life. Louise Taylor headed a workshop on the tour guide course and Tourism Development Specialist Julie Sloan gave an update on the Tourism Development Strategy.

Speaking to Penguin News Carli Sudder explained: “The Tourism Association recognises that the labour force is an issue for everybody in tourism and the event was organised

so we could bring everybody together to meet people, advertise what vacancies they have, and sometimes it’s just easier to approach if you are in a group like this.”

In order to promote tourism to all ages, “we got younger people like Ariane and Tonisha to talk about how they had gone through university and got into the industry, and we had Andrew Pollard as an older generation who did a career change and came into it. And for people who are new to the Falklands, they can see that they can come in to tourism; it’s an open industry that needs workers.”

Above: Andy Pollard describes his perfect tour guide. Above right: Julie Sloane talks government’s role

Below: Nick Roberts talks tour guides and Dwight Joshua chats Falklands fi shing industry


10

Agriculture

IN 1991 the Falkland Islands Government made the decision to purchase four large farms from the Falkland Islands Company. The farms being Fitzroy; Goose Green; Walker Creek and North Arm.

The purchase was made as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to agriculture and as a show of faith in the ability of the people of the Falkland Islands to self- manage the progress of agriculture into the future.

The four farms making up Falkland Landholdings Corporation (FLH) total almost 300,000 hectares of land and represent about 25% of the total farming area of the Falkland Islands.

FLH was established as a statutory organisation in 2008 to manage agricultural activity on the farms. Today FLH carries out operations on the farms with some 145,000 sheep and 500 head of cattle being the main agricultural businesses. Farms are managed in four settlements with accommodation, machinery workshops, shearing and sheep handling facilities, schools and small shops. FLH has 32 fulltime employees and occasionally seasonal workers.

In addition to sheep and wool and beef cattle operations FLH also operates several sites for tourism and fi shing with Gentoo Penguins and Elephant Seal being the main tourism attractions. Beautiful sea trout (sea running brown trout) are plentiful in many of the coastal streams and rivers on FLH land and as such competition to fi sh is often fi erce. A catch and release policy is encouraged.

Sheep and wool production within FLH has changed quite markedly over the last 20 or so years with the historically robust Romney Marsh types being replaced by Corriedale and Polwarth animals and more latterly by merino sheep.

Economic necessity has driven change. The often cold and windswept environment of the Falkland Islands, whilst stunningly beautiful to those who call the country home (and for most who visit) does present challenges.

Sheep and wool production in the Falkland Islands is based around wool production with surplus animals being sold to a small EU approved abattoir at Sand Bay for export.

In order to maintain productivity and profi tability FLH has slowly transitioned sheep and wool production from the broad woolled types run in the Islands for much of the last 100 years (with each sheep producing some 4

kilograms of 30-micron wool destined for production into heavier outer wear garments and blankets) to animals capable of producing 4 kilograms of 18-22-micron wool. The fi ner wool is now made into high quality, high fashion products .

The fi ner wool of sheep at FLH today is sold to discerning buyers all around the world and is now a wool product of fi rst choice for many buyers.

Falkland Islands wool is keenly sought due to the high animal welfare standards practised in the Falklands and the country’s reputation for producing wool of truly exceptional whiteness, lustre and handle. The absence of such practises as mulesing* and the complete absence of use of external pesticides also adds to the desirability of Falkland Islands wool.

Falkland Islands wool is produced under a low input farming system and as a result, naturally has very low levels of impurities.

Wool production from FLH and indeed most Falkland Islands farms, is sold with the full compliment of core test and additional measurement results.

Sampling for International Wool Textile Organisation recognised certifi cation is overseen by the Department of Agriculture with samples tested in New Zealand.

Sheep at FLH are shorn over the southern summer months by highly professional shearers and processed by skilled wool handlers. Wool classing is carried out by fully trained and experienced wool classers with uniform lines of wool presented for sale from September to march each year.

It is normal practice at FLH for sheep to be shorn on a sex and age basis which greatly aids in the production of large lines of wool of great uniformity. In a typical season FLH farms will shear some 145,000 sheep and will produce approximately

2600 bales (each 200kg in weight) of high specifi cation wool for sale.

FLH supplies about 30,000 sheep to the Falkland Islands Meat Company (FIMCo) each year.

Quality Falkland Islands lamb and sheep meat products are sold to the United Kingdom as well as to markets in Europe and elsewhere.

In addition to the supply of lamb and sheep meat to FIMCo FLH runs a herd of very high-quality Angus cattle. It is suggested that the beef produced on FLH farms (and many other Falkland Islands farms for that matter) is equal to the best pasture fi nished beef in the world. It is unfortunate for the world that numbers of animals are quite low, so all of this beautiful beef is consumed within the Falkland Islands!

The world is becoming increasingly aware of the natural beauty of the Falkland Islands and the wildlife and plant species present.

FLH is proud to be able to off er residents and visitors alike the chance to see much of this beauty up close. Gentoo penguins, the occasional King penguin, the largest Elephant seal colony on the mainland and a wide range of bird species can be found at sites. In addition, a rich diversity of plant life unique to the Falkland Islands is also present.

Sites such as the internationally recognised wetland area at Berthas Beach is one such place where people can experience all of this unspoilt natural richness.

FLH is a proud custodian of the farming and environmental heritage of the Falkland Islands. Obviously, we might be a little biased, but we think that the Falkland Islands is quite a unique place in the world. If you get the chance, why not come on down and check us out.

Neil Judd* Mulesing is the removal of strips

of wool-bearing skin from around the breech of a sheep to prevent the parasitic infection fl ystrike.

Falklands Landholdings custodian of farming and environmental heritage

Goose Green Farm - a Falklands Landholdings farm


11

AgricultureAgriculture

AS Atlantic Harvest entered its second summer of production in January Falklands journalist Roddy Cordeiro caught up with owner Jeremy Poncet to talk about some of the challenges of growing vegetables commercially in the Falklands and his future plans for the company.

THE weather has not been kind for growing vegetables this summer, admits Jeremy, “it’s been a tough season, so cold ... I sowed all my carrots in the second week of November, but I had to redo them all because only half of them came up, the ground was so cold.”

Last week’s storm didn’t help matters either: “The fence held, lent over a lot more than it should have done, but it held…

“The trouble is the salt ended up frying a lot of stuff out there. We’re very close to the sea. The issue we never had last year is that the gales never went on long enough to build up surf, this year we actually had waves breaking over the plot.”

These challenges notwithstanding, things are looking suitably verdant for Atlantic Harvest. When he established the company two years ago, Jeremy decided to start small: a quarter acre with a three metre shelter around its perimeter. The fi rst year proved a success, and he expanded to a full acre (based at Horseshoe Bay Farm on East Falklands) and two polytunnels in Stanley.

Now Jeremy estimates that he has 6,500 cabbages and caulifl owers growing, seven diff erent varieties of kale and “lots and lots of potatoes.”

Although he has focused his eff orts

on the hardier crops, Jeremy has been pleasantly surprised by how well some of the more delicate plants have done in the shelter, “I’ve already had a huge harvest of Chinese cabbage and pak choi, those kind of things that I’d written off growing outside.”

Jeremy has also turned to local gardening tradition and expertise, sowing two varieties of crops that have been locally harvested over many years, and which have adapted accordingly.

One is the Clarke Swede, although Jeremy admits that the name could be a bit of a misnomer, as it was Tony Carey who kept it going for many years.

The other is a perennial cabbage, which Jeremy describes as a “really unusual one ... It literally grows like a bush, two metres high, and you get cabbages almost every day of the year off it.”

For the moment, Jeremy’s goal is to have produce available throughout the year. He maintains that with careful planning, successional sowings, and the right choice of crops, it’s a perfectly achievable goal.

To that end, he has set himself a challenge: he is supplying six customers with a weekly box of vegetables. “It’s just a trial basis, just to see if I can have enough going throughout every week of the year.

“I’ve managed to provide a few bits, but again, with the delicate stuff getting burnt off in that gale, I didn’t have much to give them this week. It’s still early.”

Jeremy also has his sights set on the long-term and hopes one day to establish a small-scale farm in Camp. The biggest obstacle to long-term

planning, however, is fi nding land to buy. His current plot is leased, but to invest the time and eff ort required to grow a shelter belt of trees, he would need the security of ownership.

For now, the wind remains the biggest immediate challenge, however, “no matter how well you try and protect something, the elements always work their way in.”

Nevertheless, Jeremy is confi dent that there is plenty of scope for growth, not least in order to reduce the staggering amount of produce that is imported.

Jeremy also believes that the operation can one day be completely self-sustainable, rather than relying on imported fertilizers. “We can do it, we’ve got plenty of kelp on the beach, calcifi ed seaweed, we can defi nitely do it. It’s just fi nding the time and the resource.”

It’s not only vegetables he is focusing on, he has also turned to native plants to diversify the business. He has thousands of tussac plants growing from seed, and has had a number of orders already, including planting up the roof of the new Gypsy Cove toilet block with tussac.

In any event, it’s early days, he admits. Despite beginning the business with a wealth of horticultural expertise (he was Head Gardener at Government House previously), Jeremy says that it has been a learning curve. “It’s tricky. I’m fi nding out why a lot of people haven’t been successful before, especially when it’s all privately funded ... It’s a huge amount of eff ort and material and money to invest in something that could literally blow away.”

Atlantic Harvest sets second-year challenges

Before and after pictures of the Atlantic harvest plot at Horseshoe Bay


12

Fishery

Verónica Iriarte & Alexander Arkhipkin, Falkland Islands

Fisheries DepartmentINCIDENTAL capture during commercial fi shing operations is one of the biggest threats to marine mammals, causing cumulative impacts due to bycatch stress, prey competition, decreasing reproductive success, reducing survival, and causing direct mortality.

In the Southwest Atlantic, the seals that mostly interact with fi shing operations are the South American fur seal and the South American sea lion. Depredation from fi shing gear and incidental mortality occurs throughout their distribution range (from southern Brazil to Peru), involving coastal, off shore, artisanal and commercial fi sheries which operate a variety of fi shing gear: gillnets, bottom and mid-water trawls, longlines and fi sh farm protection nets.

In the Falkland Islands, fur seals and sea lions spatially overlap and interact with bottom-trawl fi shing. Historical records show that seal-trawler interactions in the Loligo squid fi shery had been uncommon. However, since 2015 a steady

increase in seal interactions with the squid fi shing fl eet were observed, with a dramatic increase in fur seal mortality occurring at the start of the second fi shing season in 2017.

The problemPrior to the start of the 2017 second

fi shing season, while the Fisheries Department was carrying out the Loligo pre-recruitment survey, a high presence of fur seals and subsequent mortalities were documented. Increased numbers of fur seals were recorded in areas of high squid density to the south-southwest of Beauchêne Island (Fig.1). The interactions observed included individuals following vessels during trawling; approaching vessels during manoeuvres (shooting and hauling); scavenging from the net; scavenging from the discard chute; bycatch of live individuals during hauling, as well as incidental mortalities (Fig. 2). These mortalities occurred most probably during interactions while shooting or trawling. Within the “Loligo Box”, to the north of 52°S most interactions involved sea lions, while to the south of 52°S fur seals were predominant, with abundance up to several hundred

An outstanding fi sheryanimals around each vessel.

Actions takenVarious measures to prevent

incidental mortalities were applied (i.e. shoot on the turn; haul with the mouth of the net closed; steam 1-2 nm at high speed before next shooting), which did not prove eff ective.

To prevent further incidental mortalities, a temporary fi shing exclusion zone was introduced around Beauchêne Island (Fig.1). Over the coming days, interactions were carefully monitored by the Fisheries Department, however seal mortalities continued to increase from the rest of the fi shing area, with 90 mortalities reached in 10 days after the start of the fi shing season.

This led to a temporary closure of the whole productive fi shing grounds south of 52º30’S (Fig.1), where the average daily catch per vessel was around 65 t.

The closure of the southern fi shing area impacted the yield of squid trawlers, as north of 52º30’S the average daily catch per vessel was only 10-15 t. At this stage and in partnership with industry, it was decided to carry out urgent trials of

Above: Fig.1. The map shows the Loligo squid fi shing area (Loligo Box), the location of squid masses at the beginning of the 2017 2nd fi shing season, the temporary seal exclusion zone established around Beauchêne Island, and the total closure of the fi shing grounds south of 52°30’ S.

Above: Fig.2. Seal exclusion device. Diagrams indicate location of the SED net extension in the trawl net and the presence of either an internal high speed funnel (A) or a small mesh panel (B). A seal inside the trawl net escapes through the hatch whilst the squid enters the cod-end (C). Diagrams not drawn to scale.


13

Fishery

modifi ed fi shing gear to keep the fi shery going. Fishing gear trials: the seal exclusion device (SED).

The SED proved to be the most effi cient fi shing gear modifi cation, allowing both productive Loligo squid yields and the safe escape of seals. SEDs trialled consisted of a net tunnel-like extension fi tted between the trawl and cod-end (Fig.2).

Within this net extension a solid physical barrier (grid) prevented seals -which had already entered the trawl- entering the cod-end, re-directing them instead to an open hatch located at the top of the grid (Fig. 2).

In order to direct the water fl ow towards the grid, SEDs were fi tted either with a high speed funnel (Fig.2A) or a small mesh panel (Fig.2B). The SEDs tested and herein used in commercial trawls amongst the fl eet were designed and constructed aboard the vessels.

SED implementation in the fi shery

SEDs became mandatory south of 52o30’S on 20 August 2017, 23 days after the start of the second fi shing season (Fig.3). During this season, 143 mortalities were reported (132 fur seals, 10 sea lions, 1 unknown), of which 137 occurred before the SED

implementation in the whole fi shing area on 29 August (Fig.3). After SEDs became mandatory, six fur seal mortalities were documented, with a total of 225 seal live releases/live SED escapees recorded (Fig.3). It is important to emphasize that these live individuals reported corresponded only to observations made during hauling (Fig.4).

The number of live escapees during shooting and trawling remains unknown; however the analysis of opportunistic underwater footage confi rmed that following SED implementation fur seals were actively entering the net during shooting and safely escaping through the SED (Fig.5).

The sudden increase of seal abundance in the squid fi shing area since the second season 2017 in our opinion, is the presence of dense aggregations of squid in that area. Most probably, the seals were attracted by this prey resource, and obviously interacted more often with fi shing vessels and gears. However, since August 2017, negligible seal mortality levels have been maintained in the squid fi shery through the

usage of SEDs and full observer coverage. This specifi c observer program to monitor seal interactions is funded in partnership by FIG and the fi shing industry. The usage of SEDs is triggered each season after two seal mortalities encountered during fi shing of the whole fl eet. The Falkland Islands Loligo squid fi shery is currently the only trawl fi shery in the Southwest Atlantic with full observer coverage and SED usage. It is hoped in the near future similar mitigation measures extend to other coastal countries whose fi sheries also interact with these marine mammals.

AcknowledgmentsTo all captains, engineers and crew

of the fl eet for giving their best to build, implement and improve SEDs in order to mitigate seal mortalities. Special thanks to all the observers that have monitored seal interactions. Alex Blake produced the map. We are indebted to John Barton, former Director of Natural Resources, for supporting the seal bycatch mitigation program. We also thank the LPG (Loligo Producers Group) for contributing to the sustainability of the fi shery.

for seal conservation

Above: Fig.3. Daily and accumulated seal bycatch within the 2017 Loligo squid second fi shing season. After SED implementation in the “Loligo Box”, the number of accumulated live seals lineally increased (top). Daily mortalities abruptly diminished after closure of the southern fi shing grounds on 10 August (bottom), however seal mortalities continued in the north. After SED implementation in the whole fi shing area on 29 August only six mortalities occurred, with accumulated mortalities arriving to a plateau.

Above: Fig.4. South American sea lion. Adult male escaping through the SED hatch during a haul. Photo: Hugo Dias. Below: Fig.5. South American fur seal escaping through the SED during a shoot. Image extracted from underwater footage.


14

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15

Commonwealth

THE Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Women’s Conference, hosted by the Falkland Islands, was opened by Deputy Speaker of the House Hon Claudette Prior MBE on Tuesday, January 18.

Delegates from around the world arrived the Saturday before on Latam and also late on Monday on the airbridge. Eminent members of the CPA fl ew in from Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Malta, Scotland, St Helena, England and Wales.

At the plenary meetings held in the HarbourLights Cinema nine speakers were from the Falkland Islands and one from the visiting delegation.

The fi rst plenary chaired by Hon Samantha Sacramento MP comprised speeches from Statute Law Commissioner Ros Cheek, Corporate Paralegal Krysteen Ormond and Public Accounts Committee Chair and farmer Nadia Knight. All three spoke on the subject of 'Combatting Stereotypes in Small Communities' and were very well received and diverse in style.

One delegate later commented that the speeches not only intelligently probed the subject but also taught them a great deal about the Falklands.

As the conference moved on, presentations were also given by Director of Natural Resources Dr Andrea Clausen, Fire Fighter Vicky Collier and Community School Principal Christina Watson, on Combatting Stereotypes and Building Roles in Small Communities in a session chaired by MLA Leona Roberts.

Finally, on the subject of ‘Encouraging Women to Stand for Public Offi ce’, Chaired by MLA Teslyn Barkman, speeches were given by The Hon Joyce Watson AM (from the

Welsh Assembly) former Member of Legislative Assembly Phyllis Rendell and Editor of Penguin News Lisa Watson.

The combatting stereotypes theme was chosen because women can face bias along multiple identity dimensions including gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and age and it is felt by the CPA that eff orts should be focused on how to recognise and work to overcome conditioned stereotypes.

A theme that came out of the speeches was that Falkland Islands women were traditionally strong and enterprising and already breaking stereotypes. It was felt that because of the requirement for women to work either on the newly subdivided farms or in a town desperate for human resources, they did not face the same degree of bias that might occur in other countries in terms of employment.

However, the large pay gap was evidence the Falklands are not as equal as they might be and that there are many ‘top posts’ that have never had a female in situ and it was questioned why this was the case.

It is also a fact that the Legislature has never had more than three women at any one time. Presently there are only two. Approaches to bringing change to this situation were examined in terms of both nurturing the self-confi dence to stand as a candidate and the usefulness of positive action.

Among many other positive comments made about the sessions that drew non-stop questions and statements from the audience afterwards one delegate said it was “the most engaging” women’s conference she had attended.

The visitors also had the opportunity

to get to know more about the Falklands itself with a visit to Fitzroy Farm on Wednesday hosted by Gilberto Castro and Suzi Clarke.

The delegates were accompanied by the women of the Department of Agriculture and the group were able to view female shearer Michelle Amor shear sheep. The group were described as enthusiastic and hands-on and also enjoyed an Asado lunch with attendees from the farming community.

They later attended a small service of Remembrance at the Welsh Guard Memorial conducted by Reverend Canon Kathy Biles.

On Thursday they were scheduled to visit a CPA Roadshow at the Falkland Islands Community School. Also on the schedule was a session entitled Mentoring of Women in Parliament by the Hon Samantha Sacramento MP along with speakers Roberta Blackman-Wood and Patricia Ferguson.

The delegates comprised: Eleni Mavrou MP (Cyprus), Dr Eleni Theocharous former MEP (Cyprus) Hon Samantha Sacramento MP (Gibraltar) Deputy Rhian Tooley (Guernsey), Deputy Michelle Le Clerc (Guernsey), Ms Christine Foster (Guernsey), Connetable Sadie Rennard (Jersey), Connetable Karen Shenton-Stone (Jersey), Lisa Hart (Jersey), Hon Claudette Buttigieg MP (Malta), Hon Roderick Galdes MP (Malta) Dr Stephanie Bonello (Malta), Margaret Mitchell MSP (Scotland), Hon Christine Scipio MLC (St Helena), Rt Hon Maria Miller MP (United Kingdom), Meg Hillier MP (UK) Joyce Watson AM (Wales) Rhianon Passmore AM (Wales). CPA staff were Jon Davies, Helen Haywood and Seyi Afolabi.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Women’s Conference hosted by Falklands

Women of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Department of Agriculture and farm hosts Gilberto Castro and Suzi Clarke (centre front) at Falklands Landholdings Fitzroy Farm shearing shed - pic FIG


16

HistoryHistory

THE sun shone on the 175th anniversary celebrations of the move of the Falklands capital from Port Louis to Stanley on Sunday February 6.

Horse riders, 4x4 vehicles (more than 50) tractors, motorcycles and quad bikes, walkers, runners and sailing vessels made their way from Port Louis or Long Island Farm all the way to Stanley in honour of the day the capital was moved.

The day culminated in a parade of fl oats and those who made the journey to Stanley, making their way to the Historic Dockyard Museum where the fl ag was raised by elderly residents Clara McKay and Bob Alazia.

HE the Governor Nigel Phillips (who drove to Stanley with the vehicles) cut the anniversary cake. Everyone then

enjoyed music food and fun in the museum courtyard.

HistoryIn 1842, Governor Moody was

instructed by Lord Stanley the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies to report on the potential of the Port William area as the site of the new capital.

Moody assigned the task of surveying the area to Captain Ross, leader of the Antarctic Expedition. Captain Ross delivered his report in 1843, concluding that Port William aff orded a good deep-water anchorage for naval vessels, and that the southern shores of Port Jackson were a suitable location for the proposed settlement. Moody accepted the recommendation of

Falklands celebrates 175th anniversary of historic move from Port Louis to Stanley

Ross and construction of the new settlement started in July 1843.

In July 1845, at Governor Moody’s suggestion, the new capital of the islands was offi cially named Port Stanley after Lord Stanley.

The structure of the Colonial Government was established in 1845 with the formation of the Legislative Council and Executive Council and work on the construction of Government House commenced. The following year, the fi rst offi cers appointed to the Colonial Government took their posts; by this time a number of residences, a large storage shed, carpenter’s shop and blacksmith’s shop had been completed and the Government Dockyard laid out (now the Historic Dockyard Museum).

The vehicle convoy on its journey to Stanley


17

History

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The riders at the beginning of their long trek and one of 50 4x4s head for Stanley over Long Island Mountain

Above: The Seafi sh Chandlery fl oat. Inset: Walkers head for Stanley. Below: A vessel on its way to Stanley from Port Louis.

C Sudder


18

FIFTY years ago, a remarkable and ambitious project commenced. After spending 33 years scuttled in Sparrow Cove off the Falkland Islands, the SS Great Britain set off on her fi nal voyage, travelling 8,000 miles back to her birthplace in Bristol.

With the hull weakened by corrosion and structural strain, the 1970 endeavour really was the last chance to save the ship. 87 days after setting off from the Falkland Islands on an extraordinary journey, the SS Great Britain fl oated back into her original dry dock at the Great Western Dockyard in Bristol.

Today, she is the centrepiece at the award-winning museum, Brunel’s SS Great Britain. 200,000 visitors a year explore the cabins, re-imagining how the ship would have been in the 1840s and 1860s with realistic sights, sounds and smells. Visitors head under a dramatic ‘glass sea’ into the historic dry dock, where they experience the original iron hull up close. And many choose to climb the rigging with qualifi ed instructors for a sailor’s-eye-view of the deck and Bristol’s harbourside.

The Falkland Islands fl ag fl ies alongside the SS Great Britain on the harbour, a reminder of the community which sheltered the ship for 84 years. She put into Stanley for repairs in 1886, during a disastrous voyage towards Cape Horn. In fact, she spent longer in the Islands than any of the other places she has been during her eventful life.

During this anniversary year, there will be a spotlight on the Falkland Islands with an outdoor photography exhibition on Bristol’s harbourside in Brunel Square (from 1 April). Dramatic photos of the salvage and homecoming will be displayed alongside an exhibition on Falkland Islands life today, giving Bristolians and visitors to Bristol a fl avour of the place from where the SS Great Britain set off on her remarkable homecoming journey 50 years ago.

The SS Great Britain Trust – the charity that cares for the ship today – is delighted to be working with the Falkland Islands Association and Falkland Islands Government on the exhibition as well as a series of other events including laying on smoko in the Harbourside Kitchen café.

Family visitors will meet some of the Falkland Island’s most distinctive species as they follow a new trail around the dockyard and ship from

April. The trail will highlight the salvage and homecoming story with model penguins – kindly supported by Falkland Islands businesses – guiding the route.

On the weekend of July 18-19, Bristol will be buzzing as the city’s annual Harbour Festival marks the SS Great Britain’s anniversary. On the Saturday night as darkness falls, a spectacular light show will use projection onto special screens, water jets and sailing boats to celebrate the homecoming story, and its powerful themes of optimism and success against the odds, with the ship the focal point.

As we revisit and retell those extraordinary stories from 1970, the relationship with Falkland Islanders and their incredible support is clear, and it’s an opportune time to celebrate that spirit of friendship and shared history.

From the SS Great Britain Trust

An incredible journey: 50 years on

SS Great Britain by A Gasson

Dining by A Gasson

History


19

History

THE Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust (FIMNT) owns a large collection of artefacts yet unseen by the public. Sadly, the objects don’t have a permanent home and are scattered across the Islands. A large percentage of the smaller items are currently stored in cardboard boxes in a rented property. The rest of the collection is in containers, sheds and garages, all unsuitable homes for the history and heritage of the Islands.

Tasmin Tyrell takes up the story:Our aim is to bring all of these items

together under one roof in the Lookout Gallery and Exhibition Hall.

This new home will contain four galleries. The main gallery will hold our slightly larger artefacts such as the Sea King helicopter, a Sea Harrier, the cockpit of a Phantom, the Governor’s Taxi, Landrovers as well as a few other exciting items.

There will be a gallery designed to tell the stories of the Task Force sent to liberate the Falklands in 1982, within this there will be a section dedicated to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our gallery on farming and agriculture will feature a shearing platform complete with an antiquated wool press and other agricultural equipment. Lastly, a continuation of our “Isles of the Sea” gallery at the Historic Dockyard Museum, this will include larger sections of ships too big to house within the existing museum.

This includes a beautifully preserved 21ft section of the ship Charles Cooper that is stored in a warehouse in Stanley.

This new building will not just have exhibition space but will also house a modern storage facility.

The current museum’s storage facility does not meet the curatorial standards required for a collection of this calibre and signifi cance, because of this our artefacts are at risk of deterioration.

A new facility will mean we can better care for our items at a proper standard, something right now we can only dream of.

The Lookout Gallery and Exhibition Hall will also have a small gift shop, offi ce space, much needed storage space and a function room.

Our aim is to open the museum on the June 14 2022, the 40th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands.

However, we will not be able to achieve this if we do not raise the estimated £1.5 million it will take to build.

We have already gained support from various groups which we are very grateful for, however we are still a long way of reaching our target.

A massive thank you to everyone who has made a contribution already. We are extremely grateful for every donation, no matter how big or small.

£1.5 million target for museum Lookout Gallery and Exhibition Hall

A Seaking helicopter gifted to the museum and artist Ben Cockwell’s impression of the new hall

Once the Governor’s transport - a London taxi

If you would like to help with the museum’s fundraising eff orts, you can donate either by writing a cheque to the Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust, transferring money to their SCB account (002001260000) or to their Gibraltar account. Account name: Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust Account number: 20001107 Sort Code: 60-83-14


20

History

THE contribution of women to the development of the Falkland Islands has throughout history been largely ignored - until last year.

While there have been sporadic mentions and the occasional book referring to the life and work of women in the Islands, the Historic Dockyard Museum exhibition which opened in October 2019 was the fi rst truly comprehensive examination of their mammoth, but often less glamorous, part in creating the modern Falklands.

Of course there are thousands more than referred to in the exhibition who worked and sacrifi ced a great deal to move the Falklands forward, but the exhibition was heartening in that it paid tribute to their often overlooked but equal input.

Tasmin Tyrrell and the museum should be congratulated for the service they have done the women of the Falklands with this project.

Tasmin began the project in January 2019 and said it was occasionally diffi cult to get women to even talk of their achievements; some would sometimes begin instead to talk of their husbands’. Tasmin made it clear that for once, this was only about the women.

Historic Dockyard Museum celebrates the women of the Falkland Islands

Above right: Eileen Vidal utilised the Radio Telephone to support and care for the community. Below: Veterinary Practice Manager, Sarah Bowles enjoys the perks of her busy job

Below: Contributors enjoy the exhibition


21

History

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Above: Viewing their contributions: Gail Steen, Alison Barton, Karen Steen, Jane Chater, Fran Biggs Above: Museum curator Andrea Barlow and exhibition organiser Tasmin Tyrell Below: Actress Ellaline Terriss, Archivist Jane Cameron and farmer and Jockey Marion Betts


22

HistoryHistory

THE wreck of SMS Scharnhorst was located off the Falkland Islands last year the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust has revealed.

The Scharnhorst, an armoured battlecruiser and the fl agship of Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee’s East Asia Squadron, was sunk on December 8, 1914 during the Battle of the Falkland Islands, a crucial naval battle in the early days of the First World War.

This discovery is a major breakthrough in the quest to locate all of the ships that comprised the German squadron lost during the battle.

The search began on the centenary of the battle in December 2014 but was initially unsuccessful. Five years later, the mission was resumed using state of the art subsea search equipment. Working from the subsea search vessel, Seabed Constructor, the search operation involved the deployment of four Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), exploring a search box of approximately 4,500km² of seabed. Working methodically through the designated search area, and using equipment including side scan sonar and a multi-beam echo-sounder, Scharnhorst was discovered on the third day of the search 98 nautical miles south east of Stanley at a depth

of 1610 metres. The Battle of the Falkland Islands

followed the Battle of Coronel, fought off the coast of Chile in November 1914, where Graf von Spee’s fl eet overpowered the Royal Navy and in which 1600 British sailors perished. A month later a British squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Doveton Sturdee, pursued, engaged and defeated Graf von Spee’s squadron, comprising the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Nürnberg and Leipzig. The action was particularly important because as a consequence of the battle, the German East Asia Squadron, Germany’s only permanent overseas naval formation, eff ectively ceased to exist, bringing an end to commerce raiding by German warships.

The Scharnhorst, built in Hamburg in 1905, was the fi rst to be sunk, having sustained substantial damage infl icted by HMS Invincible and HMS Infl exible.

Tragically 2,200 German sailors died, including Graf von Spee himself and his two sons - Heinrich aboard the Gneisenau, and Otto aboard the Nürnberg.

The Falkland Maritime Heritage Trust is now seeking to have the site formerly protected in law. The wreck was not touched or in any way disturbed during the operation. The

team on board Seabed Constructor conducted an act of remembrance at the site, commemorating all who died during the battle.

The fi lm production company TVT recorded the search from its inception fi ve years ago and fi rst showings were given in the UK and the Falkland Islands in December 2019.

Donald Lamont, Chairman of The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, said at the time: “It is less than a month since Remembrance Day, when we commemorated the millions who died in the First World War and subsequent confl icts. One episode in that confl ict was the Battle of the Falklands in 1914. The search we organised had as its aim the locating of all ships of the German squadron, so that we may learn more about the battle and commemorate all who perished in it. The site of the wrecks can now be protected.

“The Battle of the Falklands is commemorated every year on December 8 in the Falkland Islands. Our aim is that the fi lm should be made available to the Historic Dockyard Museum in Stanley, where it and accompanying information will be available for Islanders and for the thousands of visitors who come to the Falkland Islands every year.”

Search leader Mensun Bound, said: “It is with mixed emotions that

WW1 German Battlecruiser located off the Falklands

Scharnhorst on the sea bed


23

HistoryHistory

we announce the discovery of SMS Scharnhorst, the armoured German battlecruiser that was sunk during the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914. After a search that began fi ve years ago, on the centenary of the battle, we are very proud to be able to shed further light on what was a defi ning point in WWI, and therefore a landmark moment in modern history.

“The moment of discovery was extraordinary. We are often chasing shadows on the seabed, but when the Scharnhorst fi rst appeared in the data fl ow, there was no doubt that this was one of the German fl eet. You could even see the impact crater. We sent down an ROV [underwater vehicle]

to explore and almost straight away we were into a debris fi eld that said “battle”. Suddenly she just came out of the gloom with great guns poking in every direction.

“As a Falkland Islander and a marine archaeologist, a discovery of this signifi cance is an unforgettable, poignant moment in my life. Our work on this important project is not done. We will continue to assess the images that we have captured and, in time continue to search for the remainder of the fl eet, in order to provide greater understanding of the events of that day, and to ensure the protection of the site.”

Wilhem Graf von Spee, head of the

Graf von Spee family, said: “Speaking as one of the many families aff ected by the heavy casualties suff ered on December 8, 1914 at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, the discovery of SMS Scharnhorst is bittersweet.

“We take comfort from the knowledge that the fi nal resting place of so many has been found, and can now be preserved, whilst also being reminded of the huge waste of life.

“As a family we lost a father and his two sons on one day. Like the thousands of other families who suff ered unimaginable loss during the First World War, we remember them and must ensure that their sacrifi ce was not in vain.”

Scharnhorst in her glory days

One of the cruiser’s guns


24

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25

Books

New fi eld guide to Falklands plantsIT is more than 50 years since David Moore’s The Vascular Flora of the Falkland Islands, the last in-depth account of the Falklands’ fl ora, was written, however a newly published guide is now available.

Field Guide to the Plants of the Falkland Islands is well-illustrated with photographs, many of which are thanks to the photographic skills of local naturalists, writes Thomas Heller of Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Since David Moore’s book was published Mr Heller says, “there has been a step-change in the intensity of recording plants,” through projects funded from a variety of sources, including the UK Government’s Overseas Territories Environment Programme and subsequent Darwin Plus programme, the Falkland Islands Government, and the European Union.

He explained that through the eff orts of botanists, local naturalists and volunteers, “our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of plants in the Falkland Islands has grown enormously. The list of plant species recorded here, native and introduced, has grown signifi cantly, with even a species new to science described in 2013, Nassauvia falklandica, found only on these islands.”

He adds: “Alongside this, the work of systematic botanists around the world has helped develop our understanding of the evolutionary relationships of many of these plants, resulting in changes to their classifi cation and nomenclature.”

As such the comprehensive new fi eld guide has been published.

Mr Heller said: “This authoritative guide is the product of many years of botanical surveying, observations and systematic research both in the Falkland Islands and in the herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.”

A collaboration between Falklands Conservation and Kew, this guide brings together for the fi rst time descriptions of all the vascular plants, both native and non-native that have been recorded across the Falkland Islands during its rich botanical history, said Mr Heller

The guide covers in detail the 181 vascular plants that have been described as native to the Islands as well as more than 250 widespread non-native plants, “highlighting those that have become invasive and pose a threat to native plants and habitats.”

The guide is fully illustrated with photographs to enable fi eld identifi cation. Keys to the major groups of plants are included as well as detailed keys for many families including Apiaceae, Asteraceae,

Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Orchidaceae.

Individual species entries include plant descriptions, distribution data, conservation status and other useful notes and fi eld characters. There are also brief illustrated descriptions of

the 22 habitat types recognised in the Falkland Islands. The guide is aimed at all those interested in learning more about this fascinating fl ora.

Frin Ross, Falklands Conservations Habitat Offi cer, is overjoyed to get her hands on the book saying it had, “been eagerly anticipated across the Falklands - it will enable all of us to identify our plants, to understand where they like to live, and how they respond to diff erent types of land management. It will be by my side for ecological restoration work. I’m sure it will help to grow our appreciation of native plants and ask anyone who spots endangered species (clearly labelled in the book), to consider letting us know where they are.”

Alternatively they can upload a photo to www.inaturalist.org/projects/falklands-native-plants. Frin added: “Tom Heller has worked tirelessly to make this book happen, I am sincerely grateful to him and the book’s other brilliant authors [Rebecca Upson and Richard Lewis] and contributors.”

This guide will be available from Falklands’ retailers, including Falklands Conservation, and online, and a book launch took place in Stanley in early December.

The fi eld guide

PHOTOGRAPHER and artist Julie Halliday’s stunning book ‘Visions of the Falkland Islands’ was also released earlier this year. It is available in hard back coff ee-table size or a mini version - 220 pages of inspired images of Falklands’ landscapes complemented by heartwarming detailed images. For more details check outwww.studio52.co.fk

Visions of the Falkland Islands


26

Remembrance

POSSIBLY the largest crowd ever graced Ross Road beneath the Cross of Sacrifi ce on Remembrance Sunday in November 2019. It was larger than usual due to many residents of Mount Pleasant Complex having been bussed to Stanley for the occasion,

We will remember themand also passengers from a cruise ship in the harbour.

Representatives of the Army (the Welsh Guards) Navy and Royal Air Force were marched to the Cross along with a detachment of the Falkland Islands Defence Force.

HE the Governor, MLA Leona Roberts, Baroness Goldie, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence and the Commander British Forces arrived prior to the service at which the roll of honour was read and then wreaths laid.

A solemn occasion at the Cross of Sacrifi ce

The Welsh Guards march to the cross

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS ASSOCIATION

New Chair Person

The Falkland Islands Association (FIA) is dedicated to supporting the right of Falkland Islanders to decide their own future. It is a membership organisation and all its activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers based mainly in the UK. John Duncan OBE has now stepped down as Chair and the Association is actively searching for a replacement. We would welcome an approach from anyone who feels they may be appropriately qualifi ed. The main roles of the Chair are to represent the Association and to provide leadership and direction. For further information please contact Tym Marsh on honsec@fi association.com. There is more about the FIA at www.fi association.com.


27

Remembrance

PARTICULARLY poignant in the light of the discovery of the shipwreck Scharnhorst, the naval Battle of the Falklands was commemorated, as always, on December 8 in the Falkland Islands. Scharnhorst was one of the German cruisers sunk by the British fl eet in the battle that ended the lives of six British sailors, with more dying later from their injuries and 2,260 German sailors. The loss of life was commemorated with a detachment of the Falkland Islands Defence Force marching to the monument where it is inspected by HE the Governor Nigel Phillips. This was followed by a service of remembrance and wreath laying. The parade is also attended by youth groups and the public.

The Battle of the FalklandsClergy from all Falklands churches along with HE the Governor and Commander British Forces

The Falkland Islands Defence Force and members of the Beavers


28

Advertise with

Penguin NewsThe newspaper of the Falkland Islands

Colour advertisingFull page £225Half page £120

Quarter page £651/8th page £35

[email protected]

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THE Falkland Islands Association has been contacted by the producers of a new television history series with the working title of Unforgotten (previously The Search), asking for our help in fi nding people who might be interested in taking part.

Unforgotten is a documentary series that will focus on the personal stories of ordinary people who were caught up in extraordinary events in modern history.

Each programme will follow individuals on a journey of detection as they look for a long-lost friend, family member or signifi cant stranger who helped them through this time and had a lasting impact on them.

For the fi rst series they would like to feature the stories of those who served in the Falklands Confl ict. They are looking to fi nd individuals who took part in the liberation of the Islands

and who might want to reunite with someone who helped or supported

Documentary Unforgotten asks FI Association for help

FIA news

them during this time or who made a signifi cant impact upon their lives.

The team working on this project are experienced in working with people who have been through traumatic events in their past and have a strong duty of care to the people they work with in research and fi lming.

They have made a version of the programme in America for the past two years and have managed to reunite long-lost Holocaust survivors, refugees from war-torn countries, strangers who survived 9/11 together and soldiers who served in confl icts such as Vietnam and Korea - https://www.pbs.org/meet-again/home/.

If you would like to take part in the documentary, please email Rosie Potter on Rosie.Potter@blinkfi lmsuk.com or call her on +44 (0) 203 150 0777.

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in the TOOTHFISH

FALKLAND ISLANDS

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And we target sustainable fishing because we value our resource.

CONSOLIDATED FISHERIES LTD

P.O. BOX 383 * STANLEY * FALKLAND ISLANDS

T: +500 22277 E: [email protected]

W: www.consolidatedfisheries.com


29

Philately

THE original Land Rover concept was conceived by The Rover Company of Great Britain, shortly after the second World War as a 'stop-gap' production vehicle for use by farmers and others requiring a light utility 4x4 vehicle. They entered production in 1948.

The fi rst two vehicles to come to the Falklands arrived in the same year, one of these being supplied to Chartres Farm on West Falkland. These were small and relatively light vehicles, of robust construction and general reliability. Their numbers in the Islands grew fast over the ensuing years.

The early vehicles were 80-inch wheelbase, canvas top models, with petrol engines and most featured the optional power-take-off equipment that was available from the outset.

Meccano-like construction allowed great interchangeability of parts, as well as substitution when fi eld-repairs required it. Later on, longer 107-inch models and diesel engines made appearances and by late 1958 the fi rst Series 2 vehicles also became available in the Islands.

These various models of 88” and 109” became the mainstay vehicles throughout the Falklands; in use on almost every farm, in private ownership and also by many Government departments. Some later Series 2A's that came down were of specialist type, with non-standard modifi cations for their work, including two fi re-tenders two Forward Controls, two large-wheeled Station Wagons and a Roadless Traction Forest Rover; (one of only nine ever built).

Series 3 vehicles arrived in the 1970's, with improved seating and better heaters; some of the early ones of these were the fl eet that came for use on the construction of Cape Pembroke airfi eld.

By the end of 1982, the presence of British Forces saw even greater numbers of Series 3's in the Islands, before the newly developed coil-sprung One-Ten and Ninety models began to appear in 1984.

Further specialist vehicles arrived for use, including more fi re tenders, ambulances, cherry pickers, a couple of 6x6 airfi eld appliances and even a hearse!

As production reached its end, several Heritage models and fi nally some UN-spec versions arrived, with imports now only made up of pre-owned purchases.

32p Series 1 88 InchThe 88” Series 1 Land Rover was produced from 1957-58, still fi tted with the 1.6l. Engine, although a 2-litre diesel was also available.

Body components remained mostly the same, as the extra 2” was built in forward of the footwells, thereby allowing all of the optional equipment to be utilized as well.

78p Series 1 Hard TopProbably one of the most numerous of Series 1's to come to the Islands, the 86” was many people's fi rst Land Rover. Produced from 1954-57, these stalwart vehicles came to the Islands in both new and second-hand models, many with soft tops but also a lot with the highly desirable hard-top and 3 doors. Many vehicles of this era survived right up to 1982, before being superseded by much younger Land Rovers brought in as the Islands re-built and developed.

£1.26 Series IIA Roadless Traction Forest Rover

The Roadless 109” Forest Rover was developed in 1961-62 by Roadless Traction for the Forestry Commission for traversing fallen trees and drainage ditches.

A standard 109” cab/chassis with conventional 2.25l. engine and gearbox was fi tted with Kirkstall planetary reduction hub axles and 28” tractor wheels.

To enable turning, the front axle was made wider than the rear and a special cargo body was also fi tted. Only nine units were ever constructed, including the prototype, two of which were exported.

In the Falklands the Roadless 109” was imported in 1962 by Robin Pitaluga for doing the overland journey

from Gibraltar Station to Stanley and was extremely capable, particularly in crossing the newly-created Buff alo drainage ditches. This vehicle still exists and is preserved in a family collection.

£1.96 Series IIB Forward Control

The Forward Control 2A/2B was designed in 1963 as a larger load-carrier using 75% standard L/R parts. Only four ever came to the Falklands. This particular vehicle did sterling service for the Ship Hotel, British Antarctic Survey and John Rowlands Construction, before being damaged in 1982. It was rebuilt in 1988 and continued to be used on a sheep station, where it is currently preserved.

The First Day Cover shows the fi rst Rincon Grande farm Land Rover (1950 80") being taken across to Gibraltar Station, for an overhaul in the new workshop garage, in a horse scow [vessel] behind the motor boat around 1956.

Technical details:Illustrator Robin CarterPrinter Cartor Security Printing Process Stochastic Lithography Perforation 13 x 13 ¼ per 2cms Stamp size 30.6 x 38mmSheet Layout 10 Release date 20 December, 2019Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) LtdFor further information, please contact Juliet Warner [email protected]

Land Rovers in the Falkland Islands


30

Births, marriages and deaths

Births, marriages and deathsAll information is obtained from the Falklands registry. If your child has Falklands status at birth but was born outside of the

Falklands please let us know so that the FIA can include the announcement in a following edition, if that is your wish

Births26.08.2019 Lucas Santiago Baigorri Butler – Joanne Rose Baigorri & Guillermo Inaki Baigorri Bordon28.08.2019 Mark David Smith – Anya Deidre Smith & John Derek Smith03.10.2019 Mia Elizabeth Minto – Zoe Leigh Taylor & Bradley Stewart Andre Minto09.10.2019 Alfi e Pitaluga Robert Watson – Karen Michella Rozee & Dominic Robert Watson24.10.2019 Blaze Lowe – Tonisha Louisa Lowe & Nathan Reginald Eugenio Lowe05.11.2019 Keeley Alyana MacDonald – Isla Karen MacDonald & Derek George MacDonald08.11.2019 Alexa Skye Gilson-Clarke – Sharon Magollado Baldos & Martyn Ian Gilson-Clarke08.12.2019 Myah Jane Henry – Emily Barker & Alex Chad Henry09.12.2019 Aleksander Cena – Josephine Inday Cena & Klajdi Cena28.12.2019 Shern Amper Deloso – Mary Shirnelou Amper Deloso & Sherwin Visaya Deloso

Marriages15.11.2019 Kirsty Louise Horsman & Michael Peter Goss – Horseshoe Bay Farm, Falkland Islands16.11.2019 Naseba Ismail & Richard James Galey – Registry Offi ce, Stanley, Falkland Islands30.11.2019 Genalyn Chato Genit & Michael George Butcher – The Narrows Bar, Stanley, Falkland Islands01.12.2019 Imelda Valeriano Magdaug & Benjamin James Sproule – Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands27.12.2019 Victoria Jane Butler & Daniel Vincent Luke – Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, Falkland Islands31.12.2019 Megan Shirley Rebecca Middleton & Nicholas Cyril Carter Edwards – The Lighthouse, Cape Pembroke, Falkland Islands

Deaths15.08.2019 Vladimir Kvasha 63 years Steward, Russia01.10.2019 Anthony Thomas Blake 79 years Fishing Business, Retired, Falkland Islands, Husband of Mariela Blake07.10.2019 Ian Clarke 65 years Plant Operator, Retired, Falkland Islands24.10.2019 Blaze Lowe Son of Tonisha Louisa Lowe & Nathan Reginald Eugenio Lowe, Falkland Islands15.11.2019 Raynor Halliday 83 years Handyman, Retired, Falkland Islands01.01.2020 Robin Andreas McIntosh Pitaluga 86 years Sheep Farmer & Fishing Company Director, Retired, Falkland Islands

Advertise with

Penguin NewsThe newspaper of the

Falkland Islands

Black and WhiteFull page £150Half page £80

Quarter page £451/8th page £25

[email protected]

[email protected]



31

FIA informationFIA information

Membership rates: (Associate = student/pensioner)

Option A: membership with Newsletter posted to addressIndividual Member (UK/FI) £20Associate Member (UK/FI) £15

Individual Member (Overseas) £25Associate member (Overseas) £20

Corporate Member £50 (minimum)Corporate Sponsor £500

Option B: membership without Newsletter which can be viewed and downloaded from the FIA website.Individual Member (UK) £15Associate Member (UK) £10

Individual Member (Overseas) £15Associate member (Overseas) £10

Name:..................................................................................

Address:..............................................................................

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Connection to/interest in Falklands:.....................................

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Tel:....................................Email:.........................................

Signature:....................................Date:...............................

Standing Order Form

Name of Your Bank:............................................................

Branch Address:..................................................................

............................................................................................

Please pay The Falkland Islands Association at NatWest, St James & Piccadilly Branch, 208 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HE, Sort Code 56 00 29, Account No 24223999, the sum of ……… pounds on receipt of this order and thereafter annually on 1 April.

Name:..................................................................................

Address:..............................................................................

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Account no:.........................................................................

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Reference to be used (Surname, First Name, Initials):

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Membership ApplicationA photocopy is acceptable to save cutting your copy of the Newsletter or forms can be downloaded from the FIA website at www.fi association.com

I wish to support the right of the people of the Falkland Islands to decide their own future. I wish to join the Falkland Islands Association (see membership rates elsewhere on this page).

Advertising

The present circulation of the Newsletter is 4,000 copies. It is distributed to Members of the Association, all Members of the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, members of the House of Lords, and to the press, radio and television. Many copies circulate in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other Commonwealth and foreign countries. Five hundred copies are distributed in the Falkland Islands.For advertising rates and details please apply to:[email protected]

23 June. FIGO Reception, Middle Temple5 December. AGM, London, details to be announced

Dates for your2020 Diary

The Falkland Islands AssociationPresident: The Rt Hon The Lord Hurd CH CBE.Vice Presidents: General Sir Peter de la Billiere KCB KBE DSO MC MSC DL, General Sir Michael Rose KCB CBE DSO QGM DL, Mr David Tatham CMG, Hon Cindy Buxton, Mrs Merle Christie,Mr ECJ Clapp MBE, Dr R Elgood,Councillor RE Walker, Mr Alan Huckle.

Chairman: Mr John Duncan OBE (to 2 Mar 20)Temporary Chairman from 2 Mar 20: Mr Paul MartinezHon Sec & Treasurer: Mr Tym Marsh

The Falkland Islands Association brings together those who support the continuing freedom of the people of the Falkland Islands. Its Constitution states that its aim is to support the people of the Falkland Islands to decide their own future.

The Association is independent but maintains close links with many other Falklands’ organisations. It is a major source of information about the Falklands. It publishes a newsletter, which all members receive, covering political and social events in the Islands, wildlife, tourism, philately, and many other subjects. It welcomes interest in the Falklands and invites all those who share its aims to become members.

Privacy. The FIA takes care to protect the personal information provided by members. For details of our approach, please see the Privacy Policy on our website.

New contact emailsPlease note the following new email addresses:

Membership queries to:membershipsec@fi association.com

All other queries to:honsec@fi association.com


3232323232

+(500) 21462 [email protected]

Find Us Alongside the Historic Museum

The Teaberry Cafe is perfect for a takeaway lunch, coffee, cakes or sweets.

Central Location The kitchen.café is located in the same

hotel and it’s the perfect place for eating and drinking, from breakfast to afternoon tea, from lunch with friends

to cocktails or dinner.

A small hotel with a big heart

Teaberry

2015

• 2

016 • HALL of FAME • 2017 • 2018

CERTIFICATE ofEXCELLENCE

T4FF Ltd Registered in the Falkland Islands Co. No. 14709, Registered Offi ce: The Waterfront Hotel, 36 Ross Road, Falkland Islands. Directors: A. Olmedo, V.Ramirez


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