Federation Meeting with Fisheries Board Sub Committee for new Sport/Recreational

[Gogo]

Joe(Gaffer) "There seems to be a hidden agenda somewhere...I'm jut not convinced yet if this is coming from the FCD, the cooperatives, the other stakeholders, or all of them together.  But, there is something going on for sure."
Please bring forward the hidden agenda ( seems to be in the pipe line) , your convincement with facts and decide at whom we should aim. These are all perceptions which one may have but cannot be pronounced as facts. If there is a  hidden agenda I will be the first to denounce it to the subcommittee.
I have been fishing since aged 11. Had a 'S' registered fregatina at that age. Then a F267, if I remember correctly, Kajjik. 35 years ago my present wooden 30 foot boat as PTF later changed to MFB. I never used nets, trawling or non selective gears. I apply for FAD and always caught Lampuki and fanfri even (once upon a time) in their hundreds by hook and line (rixa and konz). Deep bottom fishing always attracted me. I am at sea all year round and so I manage to catch my quota as required. I do not know what will happen in the future as due to increasing age and lack of fish stocks I may drop to MFC category. Do you think that will then make me more competent to act on behalf of Amateur Fishermen?       
Since 1987 I was always in the fisheries board (irrespective of change of governments) and always represented recreational fisherman. From the inception of the Federation I was voted Secretary and despite elections every three years the post of secretary and president were never contested. Tell me why?
If there is somebody prepared to enter into the Federation committee he/she is freely to do so, provided a committee member of an affiliated Association. From there one can be nominated by member clubs to an executive post during an election. As somebody said new blood is needed. I will never leave an empty post with consequent disruption of years of hard work which several persons dedicated for years.
From now on I will only answer questions related to work being done on sub committee and forward any new information. If this is unacceptable please let me know. I will post only on Federation website.

Gogo

[The_Gaffer]

The hidden agenda bit must have scared you Dott hux?

I am hearing a lot of rumours, once I have facts, I will make them public here.  

And Gogo, please answer my simple question....WHY NOW....2 to 3 months away fromt he general elections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The_Gaffer]

So we now also know that Frabel has just printed a copy of all the posts here.  Is this intimidation or what?

[Gogo]

A hidden agenda does not make me afraid. Who is producing the hidden agenda should beware. I will consider the then no longer hidden agenda if the person produces this document or whatever it is once he signs it or posts it on MFF with his real identity. He can also hand personally the information.  As the hidden agenda is made public I will inform the subcommittee and if this agenda contrasts our present position I will resign and report the matter to higher quarters.
Joe do calm down. Do you think that Mr. Frank Abela is that imfamous person to carp posts from MFF and posts them on Federation website. WE post meat which is federation meat and information which i produce from the subcommittee as I do on MFF.
 

[The_Gaffer]

I'm no fool Gogo.  Frank Abela printed the full topic.  As I said, I'm hearing a lot of rumours.  If I can verify them, I will be the 1st person to make them public. I will also ensure that everybody, and I mean everybody, is held responsible and accountable for their actions, and they will have to answer to the 1000s of recreational fishermen.

[frabel]

So we now also know that Frabel has just printed a copy of all the posts here.  Is this intimidation or what?

If you check your records you will see that this is not the first time that I have printed a copy of the thread.

This I have done in preparation for this evenings Federation committee meeting so that if any members of the Federation do not have access to MFF I shall be in a position to offer them a soft copy.

Joe, I hope that you do not find any objection to this.

[Gogo]

Sorry Joe I did not answer your last question although I never enter into political issues. I did not start this and who am I to order to a Maltese Authority when and when not to form  a subcommittee. I think there are many hidden agendas going on. Well this is Malta.

Gogo

[The_Gaffer]

Sorry Joe I did not answer your last question although I never enter into political issues. I did not start this and who am I to order to a Maltese Authority when and when not to form  a subcommittee. I think there are many hidden agendas going on. Well this is Malta.

Gogo

I know Dr. Joe, we're both above politics.  But you'd have to be very naive to believe that the present administration is not rushing things along here, very naive.

[caldaland]

If there are many hidden agendas,boycott these meetings.And i thought this was only an "exercise".

[frabel]

So we now also know that Frabel has just printed a copy of all the posts here.  Is this intimidation or what?

Joe please indicate whether you have any objections to me printing a copy for the above mentioned reasons, so that I shall delete the soft copy if you have any objections.

[The_Gaffer]

I have no objection to you printing a copy.  As long as it is used for the right purposes.
So you too Frank Ablea, agree with the way these discussions are being rushed through/...is it a question of birds of the same feather, flock together?

[caldaland]

personally,i do have objections. we are not affilliated with the federation,so,whatever is said here should stay here.

[Gogo]

Joe, I may be or not be naive. My opinion is my opinion. I have been asked to form part of a sub committee which is part of the Fisheries Board which in turn is still active. Our issue is not political but local administration which should be fair and just for our members of any tendency.
So present Government, future Government of what ever idealogy should carry on with the issues of previous administrations provided these provisions are good for the stakeholders involved.
Joe, I was appointed (always without remuneration) as the sole Fisheries representative on a National Commission regarding  Agriculture and Fisheries. The job was done over  in one year with meetings ,field work and studying international laws etc and the document presented. This was during the 1994/ 96 LP Government. Sorry I may be wrong with dates. Later Administrations simply shelved the document although I was and am still in the same position. Do you know that many of the suggestions have been implimented much later in time and some are also under discussion now.
I will do my duty as a free citizen and let political issues to politicians.

Gogo

[The_Gaffer]

Joe, I may be or not be naive. My opinion is my opinion. I have been asked to form part of a sub committee which is part of the Fisheries Board which in turn is still active. Our issue is not political but local administration which should be fair and just for our members of any tendency.
So present Government, future Government of what ever idealogy should carry on with the issues of previous administrations provided these provisions are good for the stakeholders involved.
Joe, I was appointed (always without remuneration) as the sole Fisheries representative on a National Commission regarding  Agriculture and Fisheries. The job was done over  in one year with meetings ,field work and studying international laws etc and the document presented. This was during the 1994/ 96 LP Government. Sorry I may be wrong with dates. Later Administrations simply shelved the document although I was and am still in the same position. Do you know that many of the suggestions have been implimented much later in time and some are also under discussion now.
I will do my duty as a free citizen and let political issues to politicians.

Gogo

Dr. Joe, we're not naive.  We hear a lot of rumours, then we have to sift through what people say in a malicious way, and what people say with substance.  I still cannot figure out why now, if this has been in the making for so long, why rush things now.  And the  more you and Frabel side step this question, the more people are asking questions.  Because lets face it Dott,  if this sub committee has been 3 years in the making to discuss such important matters which will affect all recreational fishermen, why I plead, why rush through now, if they're so important, wait another three years.  And you know what Dr. Joe, I am not convinced, and neither are a lot of members here, that there are no political connotations driving this agenda.  As I said dr. Joe, I'm no fool, and neither am I naive!

[Gogo]

No Joe this sub committe has not been on for three  years. Discussions with  TM nad FCD  re boat registration has been on for 3 years. With two changes in directorship progtress lagged.
This year the new Director continued discussions with TM and since there is mutual favourable discussions, FCD late summer decided to create this committee to engulf the main outstanding issues.
Fishing regulations cannot be passed when you have recreational Fishing boats registered on two different departments. There is no hurry. If election is on and the job is not finished well then it is the responsability of the Government in power to decide whether all the work done by the previous administration should be dumped and start from scratch most probly with an identical unfinished symphony or carry on with most of the work already done and then get the benefit from the result.
Gogo