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

[busumark]

When the F and PTF category were changed about 6 or 7 years ago (not a long time ago) they made 4 categories MFA, MFB, MFC, MFD. The F were given MFA, all those that were PTF were given MFB and those who did not want were given MFC. The MFC category had the limit of 100 hp from the beginning so it could not be that the  reason of this limit is because high powered boats wanted to turn MFC to pay less. The limit was there before every boat owner knew what was the limit. MFC was going to be the only category for recreational fishing in fact those who were registered S under 100 hp were given the chance to change to MFC. so I think that S registered vessels were not going to be allowed to fish. Than something happened and everything was put on hold and MFC and S registration were considered the same for fishing in fact you could not change anymore from S to MFC  even under 100 hp 

[Gogo]

This issue dates back from the late eighties when the PTF category was created. I was already present in the Fisheries board when the Commercial Fishing representatives at the time denounced the presence of yachts and pleasure boats in the Fishing fleet. There was no recreational category.  Gaffer is more than right.
If I recall correctly MMA now TM was not yet created. This situation continued for several years.
The turning point started over eleven years ago with the introduction of Fisheries Conservation and management Act 2001. In this act two important articles involved recreational fishing vessels.

Fisheries Board members article 5 section 2
(2c) one member from among and nominated from amongst members of the Federazzjoni tas-Sajjieda Dilettanti,

Article 38 (e) the regulation of amateur and recreational fishing.

So recreational Fishing recognized and included in the Fishing Directorate.

I was present prior, during and after introduction of Chapter 425.
The debate on recreational fisheries took a long time circa three years with contrasting views between Authorities concerned. The Federation also made proposals and objections.
Finally L.N. 407 of 2004 was issued (now known as Subsidiary Legislation 425 .07) where the Recreational fishing vessels were included in the fishing register (article 8b section c). Now Recreational fishing vessels were legally recognized and had to be included in the Fishing Register. Unfortunately to prevent the registration of powerful pleasure boats even less than 6 metres in the Fishing register the 100 HP outboard capping policy was introduced. This produced the anomaly of fishing boats registered in two different Authorities.
One has to note that up to today the Fisheries representatives say that this policy (not law) was introduced so that speedboats etc do not avoid the TM tariffs by directly registering with Fisheries Department.

Yes I agree with redhead last post.

Malta's Strategic Plan for Fisheries for 2014 to 2020 now is under debate. This sub committee is part of this debate and all these issues are being revised. From the Federation end we denounced that this policy must be abolished.

This is the past and present history of this policy and I hope there will be no future.

Gogo

[redhead]

Well I am no lawyer but I think that in Malta we tend to complicate things when the solution is very simple and we can copy what is done beyond our shores.

My suggestion is that all boats (pleasure, recreational fisherman, etc...) have the same licence with TM (fee would obviosly depend on the type of boat). Than a fishing licence is applicable to the fisherman himself, not the boat. This would mean that a licenced fisherman would be able to fish on all boats registered with TM and other boats which can legaly navigate in our waters. This would also eliminate all abuse regarding boat registration fees etc...

It is the fisherman that needs the licence to fish, not the boat.

This would obviosly only be applicable to recreational fisherman not profesionals.



 

[Gogo]

Redhead [color=green]"My suggestion is that all boats (pleasure, recreational fisherman, etc...) have the same licence with TM[/color]
This is already the situation. To navigate in Maltese waters and / or International waters  all motorized boats must be registered with SSR or Valletta accordingly."

"Than a fishing licence is applicable to the fisherman himself"
We are resisting this fishing licence on the person which inevitably will involve also fishing from shore with all its implications. Also which  Authority will issue these license. A new law must be enacted with regulations, infingements and penalties. Many other nations have this system with closed zones, bag limits as to weight, size and number of fish. Maltese legislation tends to copy so better let this issue dormant.

"This would mean that a licensed fisherman would be able to fish on all boats registered with TM"
A real nightmare for control by AFM and FCD as boats will not have identification signs/numbers except the 'S' or 'Name' as required by SSR and Merchant Act respectively. To control illegal fishing as nets, traps etc   is already difficult and this will make it impossible. One must not simply consider the innocuous most common trolling or bottom fishing with hand or rod but all the non selective gears which anybody can illegally use.

If we settle the 100HP outboard capping I think then the registration issue will be easily finalized. Fingers cross the day is not far.

Gogo

[lazyfisherman]

If we settle the 100HP outboard capping I think then the registration issue will be easily finalized. Fingers cross the day is not far.

I agree that this will probably be the best solution, of course given the proviso that any boat from a simple oar-powered canoe/gig/dinghy to a large cruiser can be registered as a fishing boat under the recreational category.

[redhead]

If we settle the 100HP outboard capping I think then the registration issue will be easily finalized. Fingers cross the day is not far.


yes I agree. This would be by far the best solution. Thanks again for the effort to everyone.

[Gogo]

To day we had a meeting with the Fisheries Director General.
Agenda: Capping of 100 HP on outboards policy for MFC category vessels.

The Federation representative presented the proposal to delete this policy together with reasons why this policy is now redundant and which benefits can be achieved with its removal.
Discussions took a very cordial attitude and there is an amount of consensus that our request will be favourably accepted. More work has to be done but we are confident that this policy will be deleted.
Due to festivities I think that we will finalize all the work needed and  have a definite response early January next year.

Gogo

[skip]

Thanks for the update,.it sounds very promising and I too have a similar restriction to Benri.

Also as I catch up on the last few pages one can see the sheer level of time and commitment that GoGo has dedicated with replies to each person and such detailed information in his responses.

Dr. Joe I know you have recently commented on the low attendance numbers during the Federation AGM, however rest assured that this topic is very active and being closely monitored by members and non members alike.

A very big thank you from me for your efforts.

[benri]

Yes, you're extremely right Nick! One must appreciate all the commitment and dedication from Gogo together with the constructive feedback from other members! Thanks Dr Joe and keep it up!

[caldaland]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3TicdB8s7A

[toxictuna]

When you say removing ban from outboards i hope this includes z drives too!

[Moonwalker]

Thanks for all the effort Gogo keep it up.

For a boat registered MFC Valletta, is it possible to fish over the 25nm zone?

[maltaspearo]

My suggestion is that all boats (pleasure, recreational fisherman, etc...) have the same licence with TM (fee would obviosly depend on the type of boat). Than a fishing licence is applicable to the fisherman himself, not the boat. This would mean that a licenced fisherman would be able to fish on all boats registered with TM and other boats which can legaly navigate in our waters. This would also eliminate all abuse regarding boat registration fees etc...

It is the fisherman that needs the licence to fish, not the boat.

This would obviously only be applicable to recreational fisherman not profesionals.

I agree with you completely . Most countries use this procedure without any difficulties and bureaucracy.  I don't know why in Malta we always have to complicate things?   

I have a boat registered with an 'S' of 4.5 metres with a 50hp outboard .  What will I have to do to legally be allowed to fish.  Can someone please explain the procedure to me?

[shanook]

Moon out of the 25 mile zone u are in international waters so u can do whatever you want to. Even catch tuna without limitations...... But as soon as u come inside the 25mile zone u are again under Maltese law....so u get booked for the tuna......seriously yes you can fish outside the 25 mile zone, like everyone else. Have u never met with the Spanish and Italian tuna boats out there??

[shanook]

well actually u have to come to the 12 miles to be legally in Maltese waters the 25 is a reserved fishing zone for Malta