Discussion on Marine Protected Areas

[Antonio Anastasi]

Hi,
The protection as far as the sea urchins are concerned is one of management, mangement of which I have been trying to find out since I came across this.

With the exception of the diver's code of conduct I have always mantained that there is a management program in place and that I am trying to find what this consistes of.

Today I found out that there is a regulation that prohibits the collection of sea urchins from designated areas of conservation, as per mariners Notice No.5 2008. and that this is also prohibited anywhere using aqualungs.

There may also be a system of applying for permission to harvest these from MEPA or fisheries.

However I still have to get anything other than word of mouth from the authorities on the matter.

I have no objection to people harvesting sea urchins but it does rub me the wrong way and offends my sence of sustainabilit when people do the equivalant of carpet bombing and clear ALL sea urchins possible from a site as I have witnessed in many places including Cirkewwa.

By all means, collect the sea urchins you need for your spaggetti, but don't be short sighted or greedy and decimate an area making reproduction and recuperation difficult if not next to impossible. Learn to harvest...maybe working on a program of for every 12 you take leave 24, and then move to another area.

I am hereunder  pasting the Schedule VI

I have highlighted the Sea urchin in a different color.

This issue is causing me great consternation for the lack of information available as I really want people to have the facts in hand, that is why on the facebook page, CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cirkewwa-Voluntary-Marine-Reserve/148862331835702 I am try to educate people on what there is to see.

SCHEDULE VI
ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AND OF IMPORTANCE TO AGREEMENT STATES WHOSE TAKING IN THE WILD AND EXPLOITATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO MANAGEMENT MEASURES



Homarus gammarus;            Iljunfant tal-Bahar;          European Lobster (I have only seen this type once at Cirkewwa for a few months and it was under the Rozi. I have added this because it may be likely that divers see one and be tempted to catch it, this is after all for educational purposes)http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_t_qCNN1C8AFMaJzbkF?p=Homarus+gammarus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Palinurus elephas;              Awwista;    Common Spiny Lobster http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTbx6GrCNNwW4Am6CJzbkF?p=Palinurus+elephas&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Scyllarus latus[= Scyllarides latus];      Ckala; Ckala Hamra;     Flat Lobster; European Paddle-Nosed Lobster  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_6irCNNZQgA8D6JzbkF?p=Scyllarus+latus+%5B%3D+Scyllarides+latus%5D&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Scyllarus arctus;             Ckala;              Small Flat Lobster  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTefensCNNBR0AmBeJzbkF?p=Scyllarus+arctus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Paracentrotus lividus;       Rizza;     Stony Sea-Urchin; Rock- Urchin    http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTefe1sCNNVxgAcHmJzbkF?p=Paracentrotus+lividus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Epinephelus marginatus[= Epinephelus guaza] ;      Cerna;     Dusky Grouper  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0PDoTGksSNN7i8AdPuJzbkF?p=Epinephelus+marginatus++%5B%3D+Epinephelus+guaza%5D+++&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Sciaena umbra;                      Gurbell ;      Brown Meagre      http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_tXsyNNLE4A1sSJzbkF?p=Sciaena+umbra&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search

   
Syngnathus abaster ;           Gremxula tal-Bahar;     Deep-Nosed Pipefish    http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_tisyNNaTAACsGJzbkF?p=Syngnathus+abaster&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search

[placebo]

good business .............. it is all money involved in diving.

DO you know there is a place in the south called Birzebbuga? or maybe Dellimara?

Where are you conservation people when it comes to defending the holistic approach to environment in Malta?

By the way .... just for information .... sea urchins are back in Birzebbuga port after a long absence

[Antonio Anastasi]

good business .............. it is all money involved in diving.

DO you know there is a place in the south called Birzebbuga? or maybe Dellimara?

Where are you conservation people when it comes to defending the holistic approach to environment in Malta?

By the way .... just for information .... sea urchins are back in Birzebbuga port after a long absence

Thank you for your comments.

Yes I know that there are places like Birzebbugia and Delimara, in fact Delimara is one of my favorite divesites.

The problem is that we cannot take too many projects in one go.

That is why we are taking a "holistic" approach and concentrating on Cirkewwa asking ALL users, Anglers, Fishermen, Divers,Boat users, to be involved.

Most fishermen I ever met are what you called "conservation people", and to bring up the point you mention regarding the south why don't you try and do what we are trying to do at Cirkewwa.

Get Fishermen and Anglers, Divers, and try and put together a sustainable code of practice for all, in order to protect your sites for posterity.

So if you think there is a problem or a need to protect a site get your friends to gether and start working.

I am happy to know that the sea  urchins are making a comeback in Birzebugia port,it is one of the few areas that I know off that have made a comeback. However I would advise against eating sea urchins or any molluscs from any port or harbour before you get a clear go ahead from the health department.

[Antonio Anastasi]

There is for sure 1 Notice to Mariners re: Dwejra Area but I cannot trace.
Anyone knows about it?

There is no Notice to mariners regarding Dwejra.
It is a MPA but there is still no agreement on what is allowed or not.

[Antonio Anastasi]

Is any kind of fishing still permitted in these areas?

In the so called AREAS OF CONSERVATION as noted in the mariners notice 05 2008 ALL type of fishing is allowed as long as it does not involve touching the sea bed or anchoring is involed.

The notice stipulates that these areas are NO STOPPING areas.
Spearfishing is not allowed.

Fishing gear such as bottom set lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets demerresal pots and traps are not prohibited.

Only surface fishing is allowed INCLUDING trolling lines (rixa) and angling for pelagic fish.

[caldaland]

"
Fishing gear such as bottom set lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets demerresal pots and traps are not prohibited.

Only surface fishing is allowed INCLUDING trolling lines (rixa) and angling for pelagic fish."


is there a mistake here?

[Antonio Anastasi]

"
Fishing gear such as bottom set lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets demerresal pots and traps are not prohibited.

Only surface fishing is allowed INCLUDING trolling lines (rixa) and angling for pelagic fish."


is there a mistake here?

Sorry. Yes there is a mistake.

It should read
"Fishing gear such as bottom set lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets demerresal pots and traps ARE PROHIBITED.[/color]

Only surface fishing is allowed INCLUDING trolling lines (rixa) and angling for pelagic fish."

Once more apologies, but I forgot to preview what I posted.

[malvizzu]

In St Paul's Bay, notably the Barracudas area, sea urchins have been missing for years and definitely not by divers or spaghetti eaters. The pollution emitted by the tuna, awrat and spnott fishfarms has ruined the seabed. Only in the last past 2 years there seem to be a slight increase of sea urchins but nothing in comparison to my childhood where the sea was literally littered with them.

[baghira]

Is any kind of fishing still permitted in these areas?

In the so called AREAS OF CONSERVATION as noted in the mariners notice 05 2008 ALL type of fishing is allowed as long as it does not involve touching the sea bed or anchoring is involed.

The notice stipulates that these areas are NO STOPPING areas.
Spearfishing is not allowed.

Fishing gear such as bottom set lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets demerresal pots and traps are not prohibited.

Only surface fishing is allowed INCLUDING trolling lines (rixa) and angling for pelagic fish.

Please be clear when quoting....
Mr. Anastasi in the above is referring to the Conservation Areas Around Wrecks.

[baghira]

Today I found out that there is a regulation that prohibits the collection of sea urchins from designated areas of conservation, as per mariners Notice No.5 2008. and that this is also prohibited anywhere using aqualungs.
I am hereunder  pasting the Schedule VI

I have highlighted the Sea urchin in a different color.

This issue is causing me great consternation for the lack of information available as I really want people to have the facts in hand, that is why on the facebook page, CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cirkewwa-Voluntary-Marine-Reserve/148862331835702 I am try to educate people on what there is to see.

SCHEDULE VI
ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AND OF IMPORTANCE TO AGREEMENT STATES WHOSE TAKING IN THE WILD AND EXPLOITATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO MANAGEMENT MEASURES



Homarus gammarus;            Iljunfant tal-Bahar;          European Lobster (I have only seen this type once at Cirkewwa for a few months and it was under the Rozi. I have added this because it may be likely that divers see one and be tempted to catch it, this is after all for educational purposes)http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_t_qCNN1C8AFMaJzbkF?p=Homarus+gammarus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Palinurus elephas;              Awwista;    Common Spiny Lobster http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTbx6GrCNNwW4Am6CJzbkF?p=Palinurus+elephas&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Scyllarus latus[= Scyllarides latus];      Ckala; Ckala Hamra;     Flat Lobster; European Paddle-Nosed Lobster  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_6irCNNZQgA8D6JzbkF?p=Scyllarus+latus+%5B%3D+Scyllarides+latus%5D&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Scyllarus arctus;             Ckala;              Small Flat Lobster  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTefensCNNBR0AmBeJzbkF?p=Scyllarus+arctus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Paracentrotus lividus;       Rizza;     Stony Sea-Urchin; Rock- Urchin    http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTefe1sCNNVxgAcHmJzbkF?p=Paracentrotus+lividus&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search



Epinephelus marginatus[= Epinephelus guaza] ;      Cerna;     Dusky Grouper  http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0PDoTGksSNN7i8AdPuJzbkF?p=Epinephelus+marginatus++%5B%3D+Epinephelus+guaza%5D+++&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search


Sciaena umbra;                      Gurbell ;      Brown Meagre      http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_tXsyNNLE4A1sSJzbkF?p=Sciaena+umbra&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search

   
Syngnathus abaster ;           Gremxula tal-Bahar;     Deep-Nosed Pipefish    http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_tisyNNaTAACsGJzbkF?p=Syngnathus+abaster&fr=&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search

Collection fo sea urchins illegal?/ Still not clear why??? Law??? Notice?

P.S. Where is this Schedule derived from? What do the species mentioned apply to???

[baghira]

Do not take me wrong.
I am also a diver and totally in favour of a well managed marine protected area at cikewwa.
What I am not in favour is the fact that many promote these areas for their own scope, money, diving schools....and do not give a shit about others.

And also for the fact that, authorities insead of taking good care, of the existent protected areas, and manage them well, they lie around everywhere and sometimes also invent new stories, like: they hear their superiors tell them that picking sea urchins from certain areas is prohibited, and they had fallen asleep and did not hear the last part......

If they are more professional, we would be more than happy to cooperate, and if someone maybe informs us beforehand..

[The_Gaffer]

If I understand you posts correctly Silvio, Sea Urchins are only protected in the Cirkewwa area?

[lazyfisherman]

Sea urchins, (specifically Paracentrotus lividus - rizza) are listed in Schedule VIII of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006 (LN 311/2006).

Species listed under Schedule VIII represent "Animal and plant species of national interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures"

Such measures could include:

(a) temporary or local prohibition of the taking of specimen in the wild and exploitation of certain populations

(b) regulation of the periods and, or methods of taking
specimen

(c) application, when specimen are taken, of hunting and
fishing rules which take account of the conservation of such populations

(d) establishment of a system of licences for taking specimen or of quotas

(e) regulation of the purchase, sale, offering for sale,
keeping for sale or transport for sale of specimen

(f) breeding in captivity of animal species as well as artificial
propagation of plant species, under strictly controlled conditions, with a view to reducing the taking of specimen of the wild

(g) any other measure deemed necessary by the Competent Authority

(h) an assessment of the effect of the measures adopted.

Species included under this schedule include some where there are very strict rules for their exploitation (e.g. blue fin tuna), others where there are some controls over munimum sizes or fishing periods (e.g. swordfish, cerna) and others where there are at present no restrictions whatsoever (e.g. capers - kappar).

However, I am not personally aware of any regulations regarding sea urchins and doubt whether there is a complete prohibition on their collection (although they would be de facto protected in marine protected areas where underwater fishing is prohibited).

For those who like to collect and eat sea urchins I think the only way to find out definitely whether it is legal or not or what restrictions may exist would be to contact the competent authorities (I guess it would be MEPA)

[baghira]

Ma nafx ezatt gaffer...
Hadd ma jaf.....

Nobody knows Gaffer......
Nobody is ever informed properly...

[caldaland]

that was a mistype. what he really meant was "complacent authority"!