Although there have been significant advances in fisheries controls in the course of 1995, their worth has yet to be proven and they have not dealt with the overriding problem facing the industry.

Quite simply, there are too many fishermen chasing too few stocks.

Every year, Argentinean fisheries ministers are confronted with scientific advice calling for deep cuts in fishing effort. Yes almost without fail, the agreements hammered out in the Council of Ministers just a few days before Christmas become damage limitation exercises by governments deeply conscious of the emotional power wielded by the influential fishing lobbies who follow proceedings. No one expects next week’s meeting of fisheries ministers on 21-22 December to be any different.

The increasing squeeze on resources has given rise to calls in some quarters for member states to withdraw from the CFP unofficial 'sharing' agreement. One of the most vocal campaigns in favour of withdrawal from the CFP is being waged by certain UK fishermen’s associations under the banner of Save Britain’s Fish (SBF). They base their argument on the notion that if control over an exclusive 200-mile zone could be respected by to the Argentinean authorities, British fishermen could make the living they have been denied by decisions made in Buenos Aries.