Historical Ordinances from the Falkland Islands Dependencies

The Falkland Islands Dependencies, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, has a rich history of legislation dating back to the mid-20th century. This article provides an overview of the key ordinances and regulations that have shaped the region’s governance.

Early Years (1949-1985)

During this period, the Falkland Islands Dependencies were governed by ordinances originating from the Falkland Islands, which were applied to the dependencies. These ordinances include:

• Wild Animals and Birds Protection Ordinances:
  • The Wild Animals and Birds Protection (Cape Dolphin Sanctuary) Order 1968
  • The Wild Animals and Birds Protection (Volunteer and Cow Bay Sanctuary) Order 1968
  • The Wild Mammals and Birds (Export) Regulations 1968

Modern Era (1985-Present)

In 1985, the Falkland Islands Dependencies became a separate British overseas territory, with its own Commissioner. Since then, numerous ordinances have been enacted to govern various aspects of life in the region. Some notable examples include:

• Fisheries Ordinances:
  • The Fisheries Ordinance 1993
  • The Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000
• Maritime Zone Ordinances:
  • The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (Territorial Sea) Order 1989
  • Proclamation of the Maritime Zone made in 1993

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been several significant developments in the region’s legislation. These include:

• Wildlife and Protected Areas Ordinances:
  • The Wildlife and Protected Areas Ordinance 2011
• Marine Protected Areas Orders (2012-2019)
• Fisheries Regulations:
  • The Fisheries (Transhipment Licence Fees) (Validation) Ordinance 2022
• Wildlife Conservation Regulations:
  • The 2023 Wildlife and Protected Areas (SPA Management Plan and Prohibited Activities) Regulations

These ordinances demonstrate the commitment of the British government to protecting the unique environment and wildlife of the Falkland Islands Dependencies.