Suggested Regulations for Recreational Fishermen Report

[The_Gaffer]

Granitu - While I agree with what you have written here, I beleive we need to mature as a recreational fisherman before we attempt to convince the authorities to open up the season for the catch and release of BFT.  I have witnessed strange happenings near the fishfarms at SPB and also the ones down south just 5miles in from Hurds Bank.  One time I was drifting for tuna just off the fish farms down south.  I witnessed several boats MFAs+MFBs+MFCs and quite a few S registered boats catching tuna, then tying them to nearby pens.  I asked myself, what in heaven's name is happening?, why are they tying them to the pens instead of landing them inside the boat?
 Then very soon, I noticed all the MFAs and MFB boats suddenly letting go of their moorings to the pens, and slowly circling and trolling lures.  It gets even more interesting!  10 minutes later, I could see a patrol boat on the horizon slowly making its way towards then pens.  I thought to myself, 'there is no way these guys could see the patrol boat approaching.  I quickly deduced that the MFAs and MFBs were sort of pre warned that a patrol boat was approaching.  I guess the quick thinkers have already caught on as to why the tuna caught are not landed in the boat.  Just in case the Patrol Boat approaches one of the boats near the fishfarms, and decides to carry out an inspection, no tuna will be found on the boat!
Morale of this short but rather impressive story:  I I would not feel comfortable with myself arguing with the competent authorities to open up a season for the catch & Release of BFT when so much abuse is going on.
Another thing...HAve any of you wondered as to why we were only allotted a quota 500KGs for BFT this year?
Because I doubt whether there were more than 4 catches of BFT registered last year!, one of them was mine!!
So, in actual fact, the authorities, together with the commercial fishermen, deduced (and rightly so) that there is no need for a hefty quota to be allotted to recreational fishing, after all, they only catch a few!!!!

[shanook]

Well there were so few who had the license Joe that last years catch is no indication at all as to the quote needed. So it would be a very simple system to automatically have a license during the open season.

[The_Gaffer]

@ Shanook - This is something we will surely discuss with the Mr. Joseph Caruana, Fisheries Director.  I have already sent the good fellow an email, requesting a meeting to dicuss:
1.  The Fishing Permit for recreational fishermen for catching and landing Bluefin Tuna
2.  The rules and regualtions governing recreational fishing in Malta
3.  Initiatives for further collaboration between the Fisheries Directorate and the Malta Fishing Forum

[Mayer]

This is soo true....

---------HAve any of you wondered as to why we were only allotted a quota 500KGs for BFT this year?
Because I doubt whether there were more than 4 catches of BFT registered last year!, one of them was mine!!
So, in actual fact, the authorities, together with the commercial fishermen, deduced (and rightly so) that there is no need for a hefty quota to be allotted to recreational fishing, after all, they only catch a few!!!!-----------

[shanook]

@ Shanook - This is something we will surely discuss with the Mr. Joseph Caruana, Fisheries Director.  I have already sent the good fellow an email, requesting a meeting to dicuss:
1.  The Fishing Permit for recreational fishermen for catching and landing Bluefin Tuna
2.  The rules and regualtions governing recreational fishing in Malta
3.  Initiatives for further collaboration between the Fisheries Directorate and the Malta Fishing Forum

1: We fish during the open season, we dont need a special permit (a registered boat is the permit), we report the catch by use of radio stating the size of the fish and the weight and the port where we moor as well as the Estimated time of arrival, as soon as we arrive in port, we again call to inform of our arrival and if the authorities want to check us out then they can ask us to wait for the arrival of the officials. One tuna per day the others catch and release. Once all this is done then there is no more follow up from the authorities as to the consumption of the tuna. Methods for catching tuna, Rod and reel, Hand lines, drifting as well as trolling. (NO SURFACE LINES), live/dead bait as well as lures. Chumming is allowed.

The other two I will not comment about as they are too vast and various thats why I suggested different new posts to get specific information.

[Granitu]

Granitu - While I agree with what you have written here, I beleive we need to mature as a recreational fisherman before we attempt to convince the authorities to open up the season for the catch and release of BFT.  I have witnessed strange happenings near the fishfarms at SPB and also the ones down south just 5miles in from Hurds Bank.  One time I was drifting for tuna just off the fish farms down south.  I witnessed several boats MFAs+MFBs+MFCs and quite a few S registered boats catching tuna, then tying them to nearby pens.  I asked myself, what in heaven's name is happening?, why are they tying them to the pens instead of landing them inside the boat?
  Then very soon, I noticed all the MFAs and MFB boats suddenly letting go of their moorings to the pens, and slowly circling and trolling lures.  It gets even more interesting!  10 minutes later, I could see a patrol boat on the horizon slowly making its way towards then pens.  I thought to myself, 'there is no way these guys could see the patrol boat approaching.  I quickly deduced that the MFAs and MFBs were sort of pre warned that a patrol boat was approaching.  I guess the quick thinkers have already caught on as to why the tuna caught are not landed in the boat.  Just in case the Patrol Boat approaches one of the boats near the fishfarms, and decides to carry out an inspection, no tuna will be found on the boat!
Morale of this short but rather impressive story:  I I would not feel comfortable with myself arguing with the competent authorities to open up a season for the catch & Release of BFT when so much abuse is going on.
Another thing...HAve any of you wondered as to why we were only allotted a quota 500KGs for BFT this year?
Because I doubt whether there were more than 4 catches of BFT registered last year!, one of them was mine!!
So, in actual fact, the authorities, together with the commercial fishermen, deduced (and rightly so) that there is no need for a hefty quota to be allotted to recreational fishing, after all, they only catch a few!!!!

Gaffer I was amused when I read your post because what you deduced is the truth. I do not know the individuals, but rightly once I was at a local fishing outlet in Malta and overheard a professional fisherman saying when the patrol boat was coming out. I remeber I was near to the pens fishing for tennut and rightly the patrol boat came at that time

The tuna pen operator hides tuna for MFA and MFB's. Most of the boats fishing tuna near the pens are MFA gaffer to be in the context. I know amateur fisherman who fish tuna near the pens only when there is the MFA - reason - the patrol boat is not coming. A lot of amateurs fish kubrit next to the pens but this is still illegal although the patrol boat closes an eye on this.... sometimes....

I do strongly agree with you that we have to mature as recreational fisherman. For the sake of all of us. Full time fishing by time is becoming non cost effective in Malta and a lot of Fisherman are quitting the trade due to cost, stringent quotas and diminishing catches. I think the future for malta lies in charters, we are blessed with the perfect summer and abundant tuna. Some have started charters but the market is still in an embryiotic stage in my opinion (no legislation on this).

Personally, I go livebait fishing as i am hooked up to this technique. And still hook too many tuna (once we hooked 8 in one day and with a good .70mm line you can catch 60kgs tuna - just takes a lot of time, technique and a good dose of luck)

[Accjolaman]

''Personally, I go livebait fishing as i am hooked up to this technique. And still hook too many tuna (once we hooked 8 in one day and with a good .70mm line you can catch 60kgs tuna - just takes a lot of time, technique and a good dose of luck)''

Iwa veru ta, ghex kuljum narawk fuq il bahar!! Missek teqleb MFA ghaex sinjur issijr ;p

[Granitu]

''Personally, I go livebait fishing as i am hooked up to this technique. And still hook too many tuna (once we hooked 8 in one day and with a good .70mm line you can catch 60kgs tuna - just takes a lot of time, technique and a good dose of luck)''

Iwa veru ta, ghex kuljum narawk fuq il bahar!! Missek teqleb MFA ghaex sinjur issijr ;p

habib matul l gimgha nahdem weekends nistad. al grazzja t alla naf 4 postijiet li nkun wahdi nistad u hadd ma jkun hdejja.

ma naqlibx mfa ar raguni li xol ta sajjied iebes u nammirhom min jahdem full time ax mhux facli. Kieku x xol tal bahar fih land nippreferi nghix bl akkarija u bli naqbad kuntent.

pero emm bzonn nifmu li ligi qieghda emm bix nirrispettawa mhux niksruwha

jin ma nafekx u nimmagina int anqas. zgur mhux ha nigi nghid lilek meta mmur nistad .

[The_Gaffer]

Important Update:
Meeting Malta Fishing Forum and Fishing Directorate[/u]

This morning I had a very cordial meeting with Mr. Joe Caruana, Director General of the Fisheries Directorate.  Mr. Caruana was accompanied my Ms. Portelli and Mr. Tanti, from the Fishing Directorate.
The items discussed were:
1. The Fishing Permit for recreational fishermen for catching and landing Bluefin Tuna
2. The rules and regualtions governing recreational fishing in Malta
3. Initiatives for further collaboration between the Fisheries Directorate and the Malta Fishing Forum

In general, the meeting was cordial, a lot was discussed and agreed upon.  For starters we have agreed that the MFF shall be having discussions on a regular basis with the FD, to cultivate and promote better the collaboration between the 2 entities.  In future, the MFF has been recognised as a representative of all Recreational Fisherman, including land, sea and spereos.  So, in future, the MFF will be consulted during the formulation of policy which affects recreational fishing, the compilation of rules and regualtions governing the recreational fishing activity, and any other business that directly or indirectly concerns recreational fishing activities.  

Here is the detail of our discussions
Item 1
Permit for recreational Fishermen to catch and land Bluefin Tuna.  There is no decision yet on either whether applicants will be split into to groups, or whether these groups should fish during different periods.  This all depends on the number of applicants the FD receive.  However, all groups will be allowed to fish at the SAME PERIOD.  For sure, we will be informed once the applications are available.  One item which made me go red the face was this:  Last year, there was only one, yes ONE tuna catch reported and registered.  MINE!!!.   This is not fair guys, Not fair at all.  So now do not complain about the miserable quota allocated to recreational fishermen.  Please watch this space (the forum) for an update when the applications are made available.

Item 2

The famous sub committee elected to review and propose new rules and regualtions to govern recreational fishing.  The bottom line here guys is that they are only proposals.  There is still a lot to be discussed and agreed to.  Mr. Caruana kept insisting that we can discard them now, and start afresh.  I reiterated that we should discard all that was wrong, keep what was right, and ammend what was ambigious. The MFF and FD agreed that the best way forward is to have the MFF present during the forth coming meetings when discussing these regualtions.

Item 3.  
The MFF and FD agree that the common good of our recreational activity is at stake unless we all pull the same rope.  We have agreed to periodically have meetings with the FD to enhance, follow-up and discuss new initiatives of how the MFF can support and provide input to challenges and issues our recreational activity faces.  Moreover, the MFF is conscious of the fact that recreational fishing in Malta needs to be safeguarded but at the same time regualted, thus ensuring sustainability and continuity.  In all, we must all demonstrate respect towards the fish we seek, and towards each other.

An item which kept coming up in the discussion was the sale of fish, and I mean regular sale of fish, by S registered and MFC registered boats.  To mention a few specvies, Bazug, tuna and lampuki kept coming up in the discussions.  I'm open to suggestions and input on this.  Please, don't quote the negatives of the commercials to try and make up for this, just provide some input as to whether we are shoting ourselves in the foot here or not.

Any questions, just post here please

[malvizzu]

Thanks for the update Joe. No wonder you went red-faced when confronted with just one registered tuna. What about the 10s (dare not say 100s as not to be too dramatic) of tunas caught round the SPB fish farms in summer? Seen quite some being caught whilst trolling!!!

[The_Gaffer]

Thanks for the update Joe. No wonder you went red-faced when confronted with just one registered tuna. What about the 10s (dare not say 100s as not to be too dramatic) of tunas caught round the SPB fish farms in summer? Seen quite some being caught whilst trolling!!!

Everyone is responsible for his own doing. 

[shanook]

Now I read a good post gaffer.....the rules are there, and it would be a disaster to try and justify what is happening. The authorities know some of the people who bend the rules but stay within. Some people are experts in finding loopholes.
Now to the situation, if the permit is for all, not for a limited number, and the hustle is taken out and we don't try to hang the fisherman who follows the rules and make it easy to register the tuna I am sure there will be a lot who will follow the rules to the letter.  BUT there will always be those odd ones out its a natural process. Once this is taken up, new systems take time to settle in, I am sure that the same amateur fisherman, to take care of his hobby, will report abuses. We police our hobby.  A good administrator does not do the rules for the criminal but for the good citizen. The penalties are for those who break them. Innocent until proven guilty.
So pleas MFF members stop implying what happens by the fish farms or anywhere else , I don't think it helps our situation...........stop playing Russian roulette

[Granitu]

A sport fisherman by no means is not a commercial fisherman and has no tax number allotted to declare his catch for tax purposes. From a tax perspective, a one off sale does not constitute an economic activity.

Whilst this is against us, we should not be able to sell fish as we are recreational. That is the purpose of a bag limit - you cannot basically over fish when the fishing is good.

This would help alot to increase fish population. What I would be afraid is that our sacrifice would then be screwed up by the full time and part time fisherman as they would start over fishing and selling fish at a dumped price. So there must be strict quotas so that:-

• The fish price is kept at a reasonable level for the fisherman to earn a decent living

• Preserve fish stocks.

Also certain fishing has to become by seasonality. A clear case is mullet. Mullet is a very slow growing fish and if one takes out a lot of large specimen the population drastically diminishes.

[bmamo]

I'm sorry to say this, but there are people that will never even begin to realise the stupidity of their actions and what it leads to. The important thing is that they get money to cover their costs.

Their mind is set in a way that the less they have to do with authorities, the better. The only way they would learn is by punishment following more stringent controls, this coming with complete disregard to law abiding citizens.

In Maltese i like to call them "Tax-xala***bi minnek l-ewwel jien". And i hate those kinds of people.

Rant over.

[malvizzu]

Now I read a good post gaffer.....the rules are there, and it would be a disaster to try and justify what is happening. The authorities know some of the people who bend the rules but stay within. Some people are experts in finding loopholes.
Now to the situation, if the permit is for all, not for a limited number, and the hustle is taken out and we don't try to hang the fisherman who follows the rules and make it easy to register the tuna I am sure there will be a lot who will follow the rules to the letter.  BUT there will always be those odd ones out its a natural process. Once this is taken up, new systems take time to settle in, I am sure that the same amateur fisherman, to take care of his hobby, will report abuses. We police our hobby.  A good administrator does not do the rules for the criminal but for the good citizen. The penalties are for those who break them. Innocent until proven guilty.
So pleas MFF members stop implying what happens by the fish farms or anywhere else , I don't think it helps our situation...........stop playing Russian roulette

I fully agree with your reasoning but please explain one thing: how are these cowboys ever going to be punished if they have tip-offs from the inside? Although the law is the same for everybody, not everyone is treated likewise. And if we report abuses, and rightly so, what will be the hassle to those who report? I am saying this because when a close friend of mine reported many times about the bloody pariti, whoever was on the phone kept insisting if he was ready to appear in court to testify against the abuser.