Police confiscates my speargun!

fishfinder · August 11, 2009, 07:20:28 CET

Well said Martin

baghira · August 11, 2009, 09:20:02 CET

I think if everyone has the same opinion wahx, there has to be something wrong with your comments. You should firstly answer the person in english please, if you want him to understand something, and I beleive that that is a rule of this forum.

Secondly welcome on board tracina.
You and all the others are more than welcome to attend the bbq on the mainpage..

It will be fun..

markcam · August 11, 2009, 11:28:16 CET

Tracina you did the right thing by abiding the law, but I'm a bit sceptical how your liscence will arrive in two/three weeks :p (I waited ages for mine). Regarding spearfishing in our waters, knowing that you have the ethical behaviour of a marine biologist, I'm sure you won't have any problems in keeping in line with the law. Last week I was spearfishing in Ragusa Sicily and although I did not encounter as much fish as I did in Siracusa(while snorkelling) I still managed to catch a Sarago and Barracuda (A two kg aj also got off my spear). I'm sure that if I went to the right places I would have found more fish, as I was diving in depths of up to 10 meters.

My point is, that the experience and opportunity of fishing in another place was soo pleasent that it is unimaginable to describe. The accessability to such an opportunity (Without any hassel of documentation etc) made the experience more memorable which makes me consider going to the country again.

Tracina, I wish you can have the same experience here.

Tracina · August 12, 2009, 07:01:37 CET

Thank you all, you are ALL welcome to my country, Wahx included. I hope you can have great emotions like Markcam had! Me, I am just a "beginner" of this sport (only 4-5 years that I try). So far I am loving your sea, not only the macroscopic lifeforms, but also the microscopic ones. I saw some wonderful nudibranchs the other day. While I wait for the license, I am exploring the coast and finding interesting spots where I can only dream to encounter something worth shooting at. But it's a few days I am sick (40 C fever & ended up in Mater Dei). So far I haven't been lucky this summer... I got an infection after going snorkeling behind the Mediterraneo Water Park... The water looked ok... does anyone know if it's polluted there? I saw signs saying "no swimming zone" further on in the following bay... Are there any other "known" places I should avoid as soon as I get better? Thanx

Granitu · August 12, 2009, 08:18:40 CET

do not swim there, there is our greatest mountain in malta, maghtab, a stockpile of highly polluting rubbish $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Arti2 · August 12, 2009, 09:47:11 CET

Once I went spearfishing near Radisson and I got an ear infection from there too. So avoid that area man.
And b.t.w. welcome on board Tracina.

mellieha · August 12, 2009, 10:39:20 CET

Tracina sorry to hear that you are sick.

If I may suggest a snorkelling place with loads to see and loads of divers near by is Cirkewwa.

One can enjoy himself at -8 first mini reef, -12 reef, -20 reef, -30 sandy bottom, -48 reef (suitable only on twin sets and for the most most experienced.)

I have seen people snorkelling in the area and freediving normally up to the -12 or -18 point(madonna).

Only go there if you feel comfortable and the mentioned depths.

BDW it is the mostpopular diving spot on the island and best dived early morning or late evening.

EmicMalta · August 12, 2009, 11:08:10 CET

All you have to do is going to the depow and ask for the one in charge. This is a thing that can be done even in 1 day. Last year some friends of mine came here with all the spearguns and staff. They told the duty officers at the airport and released some papers. In the meantime they had arrange with their embassy and they new about the thing. We gave the papers at 4pm at at 10am they had the spearguns in their hands.

A good thing to do is to arrange with the embassy before coming to Malta so can have a spearfishing license together with the `to carry`.

The important thing is that the one in charge is present in the office. I can say good words about him cos he helped us a lot and gave us accent service (even calling us on the mobile to confirm that the papers where ready).

Regards Wahx, cannot comment on you. First of all you should had report them if they where doing illegal and not coming here and pointing fingers to one or to the other, second: I dive nearly every day and its true that we see fish but from seeing to catching it there s a big difference and don t come and tell me that people come here to catch fish illegal or come in the port showing them like that. Also to go to certain depths remember that they must do the decompression and cannot fish for long in certain depths, so how much fish they could have had? If you was saying just 2-3 fish that's a thing but coming in the port with groupers and dentex is another thing.

If its illegal pls report them cos then they are doing the illegal thing...

by the way... WELL COME WITH US Tracna and care about the diving places where to go. It is suggested to go on the west side of Malta

Tracina · August 12, 2009, 19:20:31 CET

you guys are tops!!! I actually love this forum; there is always someone ready to give good advice. As soon as I am better I will definetly check out Cirkewwa... will also keep away from the Radisson Hotel area... I am feeling a bit better (even though I am following a strict "mediterranean diet" of antibiotics). Maybe tonight I will spend a few hours with my old "bolognese" rod "cooling off" in Sliema Creek.
To EmicMalta; you are right: the one in charge of the weapons office is a nice guy... he is the one who initially told me he would try to speed things up... unfotunately, it's a few days that he's on leave (don't blame him... it's nearly the 15th of August). I don't know exactly at what stage my papers are, but tomorrow I will give them another call, they are always very kind and don't seem to mind my harassment ; ) I will also try and contact my embassy. Let's hear if they have any suggestions. Thank you.

Seahunter · August 13, 2009, 08:20:28 CET

Quote from: Tracina on August 12, 2009, 19:20:31 CET
you guys are tops!!! I actually love this forum; there is always someone ready to give good advice. As soon as I am better I will definetly check out Cirkewwa... will also keep away from the Radisson Hotel area...

Tracina, Cirkewwa is a nice place for diving, but in case you don't know, be aware that there's a part (around the tug boat Rozi wreck) in which spearfishing is illegal. So keep it in mind to avoid trouble again with the police.

And welcome on the forum Tracina

Buddhagrass · August 13, 2009, 08:56:35 CET

Welcome Tracina to this wonderful forum. I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of help over here. Dive safe. Catch ya later.

Tracina · August 16, 2009, 08:14:55 CET

guys, the long story is finally over... the police gave me back my speargun. With license to carry and use it. Yaaaahooooooo!

mike.d. · August 16, 2009, 11:01:52 CET

well done, good result, nice to have a happy ending

shanook · August 25, 2009, 20:11:46 CET

any pics of ur catch are welcome

antoganci · September 09, 2012, 20:02:07 CET

Hi everybody,
i will come in Malta for holidays around end of September.
Please can you give me advices for having a license for my speargun before coming there?
Is there a website for obteining it, communicating to police or similar informations?
Thank you very much for your help