Anyone who wishes to comment re: subject in caption, please do so underneath this Thread.
There is for sure 1 Notice to Mariners re: Dwejra Area but I cannot trace.
Anyone knows about it?
very dedicated work baghira. most appreciated thanks
Thanks Baghira great work, are you sure about the current status vis-a-vis Filfla area and fishing with rixa/angling for pelagic fish. The correspondence I had last year with the authorities was that this was permitted providing no anchoring, no diving/spearfishing without prior authorisation.
Did you specifically discuss this in your recent meeting?
I was told this by word of mouth yes.
I did not find any exact reference.
Is any kind of fishing still permitted in these areas?
which areas moon??
My main interest is the Gnejna area. I think I read that although it is an area of conservation, fishing is still permitted for now.
However I am hearing too many comments that fishing will soon be over in that area. So can you confirm this?
Fishing is still being permitted due to the fact that discussions are ongoing about the zoning, and due to the fact that they did not agree on who will enforce these laws.
First off thanks for you dedicated work :) it beats trying to sort through all the rumours flying around! Like moonwalker this is one of my areas of interest also (gnejna & surrounding area) and the fact that after all this time they still haven't figured out the zoning and enforcement issues dosen't exactly fill me with confidence especially where us casual/sport anglers are concerned :-X
if they are going to continue to close fishing grounds we are going to end up like this! :D
http://www.yeah-oops.com/wp-content/uploads/_fishing.jpg
I think the whole island is gonna finish as a marine protected. I think it would have been a better idea if there was a close season. They are doing everything for the tourists and diving schools. But nothing is done for our hobbies.
You are right freedive but at least a closed season for trammel nets must be immediately introduced or else it will be the end of coastal fishing.
As I said everything is being controlled fish sizes for us who go spearfishing, Tuna fishing etc. There are local wardens like that come to talk to you and see what the individual catches. The thing is happening regularly at Marsascala areas. But the most culprit of all, that is trammel nets are not being controlled!
I saw one trammel made in Italy that had very small meshes and had many small fish caught in it. I never saw anyone talking to guys like these. But on the other hand I saw one of these wardens who went to see a guy who was spearfishing and checking his catch. Maybe the law is not for everyone!
As for the Marine protected areas, I think they will not be protected at all because these kind of individuals will keep throwing their nets at night. You'll need a fulltime patrol boat near every protected area.
The Cirkewwa Voluntary Marine Reserve.
For those peolple that do not dive Cirkewwa is a unique environmnet reflecting ALL Mediterranean marine environments.
In view of this I felt that it deserves to be protected, and that this protection needs to come from us, divers, snorklers, fishermen, anglers, as we the users are aware of the social and cultural importance of the sea to us.
So I started with the diving community getting the support and agreement on a code of conduct for divers copied here
CIRKEWWA OFFERS A RICH AND DIVERSE RANGE OF MARINE LIFE, YOUR CO-OPERATION IN PROTECTING THIS AREA FOR FUTURE ENJOYMENT WOULD BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE.
PLEASE ADOPT RESPONSIBLE DIVE PRACTICES TO AVOID DAMAGING MARINE LIFE BY:
Ensuring that you are in good control of your buoyancy at all times, and avoid using rocks as ballast as they are living reefs
Avoid excessive finning in close proximity to the reef as it can dislodge and damage life.
Keep your equipment secured and streamlined
PLEASE ADOPT A RESPECTFUL AND PASSIVE APPROACH TO MARINE LIFE:
Do not harass flora or fauna
Do not collect souvenirs (dead or alive)
Whenever possible avoid swimming under overhangs as bubbles can damage delicate coral growth, including star corals (Astroides calycularis) which are a protected species.
Avoid entering areas of wrecks where squid eggs hang as bad buoyancy or bubbles can dislodge these
Do not remove octopus from their dens as they may be protecting eggs
When swimming over sand take care to not stir up the environment as sand are living habitats
Dive boats should try to not anchor too close to wrecks as they may damage unique sea grass beds, or on Posidonia Meadows as they are a keystone species in housing ecosystems and are also a protected species.
Do not damage urchins, as the rock sea urchin and the Needle-Spined Urchin (Cetrostephanus longispinus) are protected species
Do not spearfish, especially with aqua lung as it is illegal
Do not leave any litter in the sea or surrounding area, please use bins provided
We will also be asking MEPA, the TRANSPORT AUTHORITY, FISHERIES to do their part and ensure that the police presence at the Cirkewwa terminal, roster in regular foot patrols as a deterrent to illegal fishing.
On the 14Th of December, we launched the CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE (VMR). We did this during the Annual General Meeting of the FEDERATION OF UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES (FUA).
To date we have the support of ATLAM, FUA, AMPHEPIANS CASC, PDSA, and Nature Trust.
We have also held discussions with the MFA.
What is a Voluntary Marine Reserve?
A VMR is a marine reserve in which users agree to abide by a code of conduct allowing all users to get the best out of the area with an eye to its preservation for future users. It is a gentlemen's agreement in which everybody agrees to abide to rules on a voluntary basis.
We have started an outreach to the other interested parties using the site.
Who are the interested parties?
Anybody that uses the surface, shoreline and sea bottom at Cirkewwa. Divers, Anglers, Fishermen, boat users, dive boats. There are also parties that have an indirect interest in the area, like NGOs, hotels and restaurants, both of which offer services to the diving tourists, local councils.
What are we asking?
We are hoping to have talks with representatives of the various groups and clubs in order to come up with tailor made educative CODES OF PRACTICES, e.g. catch and release, daily quantity limits, releasing females of species, sizes and sesonal limits, general observation of the laws already in place and a system allowing users to report infringements, like the laying of paritii withing the 200M demarcation line, spearfishing with aqualungs, appnea spearfishing.
Other suggestion would be using non entanglement lines and sinkers to be used.
In order to educate users, we will be placing educative placards which are being sponsored by Maltaqua Diving Centre.
We are also looking for sponsorship to print some 5000 educative A4 4×4 full color gloss coated pamphlets. We need around Euros 360 excluding 18% VAT. So if you know anybody that may be interested please let me know at tonio_divemalta@yahoo.com I am not sure but there may be some tax benefits for companies in this.
The placards and pamphlets will be educating divers, amongst other things, about the many protected species that are at Cirkewwa and that may need a few seconds thoughts to protect from careless and unintentional damage.
Declaring Cirkewwa a VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE is no small manner for if this works then we would have proved that a grass root movement can go farther and maybe be more affective than government enforcement as it is something voluntary and not laws that are FORCED on us without consideration to our individual needs
However none of this is possible unless we all, collectively do our share unselfishly. As divers, maybe more than others, and as much as fishermen, we have an interest in promoting and protecting Cirkewwa, so before swimming below an overhang, think of the damage our bubbles can do. Before picking up a souvenir or put a rock in our BCD to help with our buoyancy, think of what life we may be destroying. Before breaking a sea urchin think... and before doing so remember that the sea urchin is also protected and that you may be breaking the law.
Finally I would love to meet and discuss with the various group representatives, on how we can collectively cooperate as well as participate in the mangement of the site by being on the committee we are in the process of setting up.
I can be contacted on tonio_divemalta@yahoo.com or on my mobile 99602455.
Antonio can you please help us out in identifying from where did you have the info. re sea urchin being protected.
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
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
Quote from: placebo on August 02, 2011, 18:58:08 CET
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.
Quote from: baghira on August 31, 2010, 18:52:54 CET
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.
Quote from: Moonwalker on September 01, 2010, 10:19:20 CET
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.
"
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?
Quote from: caldaland on August 02, 2011, 20:08:25 CET
"
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.
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.
Quote from: Antonio Anastasi on August 02, 2011, 19:47:33 CET
Quote from: Moonwalker on September 01, 2010, 10:19:20 CET
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.
Quote from: Antonio Anastasi on August 02, 2011, 18:45:04 CET
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???
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..
If I understand you posts correctly Silvio, Sea Urchins are only protected in the Cirkewwa area?
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)
Ma nafx ezatt gaffer...
Hadd ma jaf.....
Nobody knows Gaffer......
Nobody is ever informed properly...
that was a mistype. what he really meant was "complacent authority"!
hahahahahaha
Sorry guys but I simply used the terminology as laid out in the law. In fact Caldaland's assessment of the authorities is definitely more realistic.
I am making this statement because something clearly does not follow here - if there is some new rule making it illegal to collect sea urchins how is it that none of us are informed about it? Something like this ought to be given adequate publicity in the media since many people occasionally collect some sea urchins (TV, newspapers etc).
If on the other hand the species is simply listed in Schedule VIII but there are as yet no specific laws restricting its collection then it is not illegal and the police should not be stopping people from doing so (unless they are operating in a marine protected area where collecting specimens from the sea bed is definitely not permissible)
i was only kidding guys but,come to think of it,it does reflect a bit of truth.
exactly the same thing happened last year with the trailers issue if you remember well ..... I would just keep on fishing and enjoy my time as much as possible. After all we must all know what are to species to be protected and what we need to preserve for our future.
This forum has done so much in favour of sportfishing and we must not be angry .... we must all go to the sea respect it as much as possible but on the other hand we must enjoy and continue our traditions as Maltese people ......
Quote from: malvizzu on August 03, 2011, 07:49:29 CET
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.
One of the reasons of the decline of sea urchins was a virus that had decimated the Mediterranean sea urchin population, including Malta, in the early 1980s
Quote from: baghira on August 03, 2011, 08:41:33 CET
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..
I think that there is a misunderstanding within the fishing communities and the scope of the Areas of Conservation as per the Mariners Notice mentioned above, which happens to be around wrecks.
These wrecks, were sunk to create artificial reefs and underwater attractions to promote diving tourisim, and ultimately benefit the fishing community and local divers too
The wrecks, these areas of conservation are NOT the playground of divers as most fishing is allowed. So to say that these wrecks are there to the disadvantage of fishermen is nothing more than scaremongering.
It is very clear that the types of fishing that are not allowed are the paritii, pots and other forms of fishing that touch the sea bed.
Also with respect, your statement that the attitude of divers is that "... do not give a shit about others." is quite a long way from the truth.
The diving community, ATALM, FEDERATION OF UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES, AMPHIBIANS, CALYPSO SUBAQUA CLUB, with the support of to date the PDSA and Nature Trust has taken steps to create a VOLUNTARY marine reserve. This voluntary marine reserve will be managed by a committee made up of representatives of divers, anglers, fishermen and NGOs. We have also had meetings with the largest fishing federation to discuss the issue of the Voluntary Marine Reserve.
The intention is that we, the stakeholders, once more to make it clear, this means
YOU THE ANGLERS, FISHERMEN,AND DIVERS, get together and agree on a code of practice and a management policy to benefit
ALL (once more this means ANGLERS, FISHERMEN AND DIVERS) users, and to be in a position to police the site against those that ARE breaking the law, those that are laying the paritii well within the 200M buffer zone from the wrecks.
To educate
ALL users to adopt sustainable practices for the protection, of not just the marine environment but also our past times.
Once more I ask those representatives of the various fishing clubs and or fishing federations to contact me on tonio_divemalta@yahoo.com in order to discuss how they can or would want to contribute to this project
Quote from: lazyfisherman on August 04, 2011, 13:04:25 CET
Sorry guys but I simply used the terminology as laid out in the law. In fact Caldaland's assessment of the authorities is definitely more realistic.
I am making this statement because something clearly does not follow here - if there is some new rule making it illegal to collect sea urchins how is it that none of us are informed about it? Something like this ought to be given adequate publicity in the media since many people occasionally collect some sea urchins (TV, newspapers etc).
If on the other hand the species is simply listed in Schedule VIII but there are as yet no specific laws restricting its collection then it is not illegal and the police should not be stopping people from doing so (unless they are operating in a marine protected area where collecting specimens from the sea bed is definitely not permissible)
Unfortunately when such laws or regulations are passed these appear in the government gazette and it is expected that people read this.
From our research we know for sure that fishermen did not know that Cirkewwa was an area of conservation till they either read or saw on the news the the survey the CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE group did back in September.
Dear Antonio..
Please be informed that i was a member of Calypso, currently did a couple of dives with Atlam, and dived also with amphibians ages ago.... so I know what YOUR attitude (not everyone) towards spearfishing are...
Don't use use diffcult words to pronounce to try and fool people...
I am sure that there isn't a diver that respects law/policies more than i do... I do respect the sea even where law does not exist..
You do not know me, ask those who do..
Wrecks that were sunk for this purpose I agree, what about those that were not, and what about other illegal activities.... Why not control/enforce those?
What about the bay at Mistra/Xemxija?? I have been diving these areas for 20 years. Where they the same 20 years ago!??!! Only Mud and Silt. And here you come telling me about the Virus!! Yes there is a big Virus further out, but you can do nothing about it, nobody can....We have witnessed various infringments with our eyes, and Fisheries officers confirmed this and they give them warnings.............WARNINGS............ and if they catch us, we ae taken to court.........?
Please Tonio.... enforce what there is to enforce........ and then when we hear something good happening in the News,,,, then come to us for support...
Sorry Tonio for being so frustrated...............
But you touched a delicate topic, and I am in the enforcement sector myself.... so i know much more than many think...
we can only be frustrated. No one comes and help us when we report illegal net fishing in MSkala, Kalkara, Birzebbuga, St Pauls Bay .... and other areas.
I have been personally on the phone in delicate hours to report such irregularities and sometimes police tend to make fun of you also.
Goverment has no money to spend in fuel and has no boats to patrol, such illegal activities which are being done in early hours or even night hours.
Cirkewwa stand to be different ........ the place generates money so we take care of it and try to impress tourists. this also applies to some other places where you go diving.
Most of the amateur fishing people are very much in favour of conservation.
this forum also have a special number to report illegal fishing but we do not get help. There are also fishing clubs that have been practising catch and release for more than 15 years ..... what do we get?
Quote from: baghira on August 10, 2011, 07:50:29 CET
What about the bay at Mistra/Xemxija?? I have been diving these areas for 20 years. Where they the same 20 years ago!??!! Only Mud and Silt. And here you come telling me about the Virus!! Yes there is a big Virus further out, but you can do nothing about it, nobody can....We have witnessed various infringments with our eyes, and Fisheries officers confirmed this and they give them warnings.............WARNINGS............ and if they catch us, we ae taken to court.........?
Well said Silvio. Could not have put better words myself.
Quote from: Antonio Anastasi on August 10, 2011, 00:46:02 CET
Quote from: lazyfisherman on August 04, 2011, 13:04:25 CET
Sorry guys but I simply used the terminology as laid out in the law. In fact Caldaland's assessment of the authorities is definitely more realistic.
I am making this statement because something clearly does not follow here - if there is some new rule making it illegal to collect sea urchins how is it that none of us are informed about it? Something like this ought to be given adequate publicity in the media since many people occasionally collect some sea urchins (TV, newspapers etc).
If on the other hand the species is simply listed in Schedule VIII but there are as yet no specific laws restricting its collection then it is not illegal and the police should not be stopping people from doing so (unless they are operating in a marine protected area where collecting specimens from the sea bed is definitely not permissible)
Unfortunately when such laws or regulations are passed these appear in the government gazette and it is expected that people read this.
From our research we know for sure that fishermen did not know that Cirkewwa was an area of conservation till they either read or saw on the news the the survey the CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE group did back in September.
just a note, This is a not for profit forum Mr Anastasi.... Well said Silvio
Also, what is the hidden agenda that all of a sudden the divers community woke up? What is your interest?
I'm sure you have an answer to this question, but it will not be relayed to us directly. Through contact the governmnet holds highly the diving community but what you and the politicians fail to see is
The sport fishing industry in Malta(not commercial fishing), if kicked in, will always generate more economic activity than the diving community.
Thanks Mr Anastasi for the inspiration, since I am taking the opportunity to propose an Idea to the Malta Fishing Forum.
If we can draft a report with regards to a sample of 60 people (20 shore anglers, 20 boat anglers, 20 spearfisherman) and see how much their hobby costs and compare it to the equal value of divers and see what generates the most economic activities. Afterall politicians and governmnet always give priority to hobbies having a high economic activity. This will prompt the fishing community to the need of a fishing committee within the forum.
At the moment in my opinion we are being sold and treated second class to part-time fisherman ( they generate the lowest gdp contibution - proven in australia). Sport Fishing can create an impetus to new tourists and there is quite a large market to be honest. I did some previous study on the forum but in my opinion that study was rubbish. We ended arguing nonsensically and lost the scope.
sport fishing has to be linked to amateur fishing and sport fishing for migratory fish like albacore, bluefin tuna and dorado has to be promoted further. The concept of part time fisherman has to finish - I know some people in the forum who have this status, even myself have a license which I do not use but the concept is heavily abused and subject to black market.
I am willing to contribute in all this. It's time we start ourselves to protect our interest, not LET OTHERS LIKE MR ANASTASI TO PROTECT OUR INTEREST THE WAY IT SUITS THEM BEST. The local business fora in my opinion can do more, but they do not have the right kind of mentality (most are too much money driven - sorry). How can they have a profitful business if they do not protect their Market?
Granitu, I am always happy to come across people like yourself that have a passion for their past time, but I feel that I am being misinterpreted here.
I have no profit or hidden agenda from trying to create the CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINER RESERVE.
The diving community has for many years been arguing about the need for the protection of the marine environment. In my case since 1985 when I was a rabid fanatic wanting all fish protected and that all people that harm these be stopped.
Since then, being human and getting older, making friends of spear fishermen, anglers and fishermen, and learning to listen, I came to realize that we all have one thing in common. We all love the sea, and spending time on it, or near it, wether we are fishing, or diving, wether we catch anything or not, we treasure what we see and the escape from the problems the sea gives us.
The concern of the Cirkewwa Voluntary marine reserve group is all about protecting that right to share the sea. It is not about the divers imposing their ideas on the other groups, far from it...we are saying let us sit down and talk and discuss on how we can protect this area...TOGETHER. Let us see how we can share the sea with respect to each groups' desires. Let us put together a code of conduct that will not only allow us to share the area but also protect it by sustainable practices.
In order for this to happen we need representatives from the various groups and clubs or federations to be part of a management committee in order to speak up for the interest of the fishermen and anglers.
Please please do your research, but use a wider sample than the one that you are suggesting, that will be a good tool for you. Also use the same passion and energy by contributing a sustainable code of practice for the Cirkewwa area.
For a long time now I have been arguing with some divers that we cannot claim Cirkewwa, or any part of the sea for our exclusive use.. we are after all the last of a long line of users to the site that have appeared..after all unlike anglers and fishermen, divers have only been around for the last 40 years compared to the centuries that fishermen have been around. There are probably fishermen that have been going to Cirkewwa since they were kid when they went there with their fathers, who previously went there with their fathers who went there with their's
The sea is NO ONES exclusive property, so of all the passionate things you mention I would disagree with you on one matter..you cannot ask that the part time fishermen category be removed. They have as much right to use the sea as we have. I also understand that the (is it the MFA?? ) have got sustainable fishing practices based on local fisheries regulations as part of their statute.
thanks for your response but after learning how things work in Malta, this is a country where you can trust no one.
The code of practice should be extended to all areas not just Cirkewwa. Being a fellow spearfishing myself and an avid fisherman, I know for sure that there are richer places in fauna and fish than cirkewwa and by far!!!
one should protect his own interest but it is not enough. It has to be extended further and governments matter only money. I work in the accountancy profession I know myself how flexible the authorities can be to clients (thank god it is this way).
"The sea is NO ONES exclusive property, so of all the passionate things you mention I would disagree with you on one matter..you cannot ask that the part time fishermen category be removed. They have as much right to use the sea as we have. I also understand that the (is it the MFA?? ) have got sustainable fishing practices based on local fisheries regulations as part of their statute. "
True but the system is being heavily abused and I reported such abuses, i cannot say what I found because there are lawsuits going on.
To curb abuse at times, you need to restrict the law. To be further informed, one good thing that the government will be doing intention is to to eliminate part time fisherman and degrade them to MFC. MFC rights will be extended but what part time fisherman are doing at times is they declare up to their mimmum to retain their license and sell through black market the other fish.
I have sensitive date I compiled for a particular job that shows a very particular trend. The data is also in the authorities possession.
correction : Part time fisherman rights will be revamped and structured in a similar ruling to MFC regulations. Minimum Quota structure is likely to be eliminated. Part-time fishing will be allowed but at different conditions.
Quote from: Granitu on August 10, 2011, 13:50:15 CET
Afterall politicians and governmnet always give priority to hobbies having a high economic activity.
With the exception of hunters. The hunting community generates thousands of Euros each year in shotguns, ammunition, accessories, etc. but still the only thing we achieved from the government is a high increase in licence and a crackdown on the hunting days >:( :-\ :'(
Quote from: placebo on August 10, 2011, 13:08:15 CET
we can only be frustrated. No one comes and help us when we report illegal net fishing in MSkala, Kalkara, Birzebbuga, St Pauls Bay .... and other areas.
I have been personally on the phone in delicate hours to report such irregularities and sometimes police tend to make fun of you also.
Goverment has no money to spend in fuel and has no boats to patrol, such illegal activities which are being done in early hours or even night hours.
Cirkewwa stand to be different ........ the place generates money so we take care of it and try to impress tourists. this also applies to some other places where you go diving.
Most of the amateur fishing people are very much in favour of conservation.
this forum also have a special number to report illegal fishing but we do not get help. There are also fishing clubs that have been practising catch and release for more than 15 years ..... what do we get?
Placebo. I can understand your frustration. I have spoken to personell in the enforcement section both ALE and AFM and I think they are as frustrated as we are. They cannot be everywhere and they are over stretched and undermanned and under equipped.
The best that you can do is to get organized. Talk to other fishermen and anglers that feel the same way you do and get a wave moving. Put pressure on the government. You represent a lot of votes.
Unfortunately here in Malta, it is in our DNA structure to wait for the government to do something.... NO MORE..now is the time to take the bull by the horn and carry our responsibilities.
Get organized. Photographic and video evidence are acceptable. Just check with the ALE or AFM what is required in way of proof.
I am sure that if we dedicated as much energy to getting organized as we do complaining or pointing fingers we can get, ion the least VOLUNTARY based protection and enforcement in a short time frame.
if you browse this forum you will see evidence. We never got any help ...... I see your point and that is the way I also think but unfortunately we did not get any help. Personally i phoned on several occasions. I recall one time calling the police in birzebbuga they came to the spot shouting for the man on the boat and he did not give any notice and they left the place.
On another time they joked at me saying that there was nothing illegal.
Another time i called directly ALE , i was transferred to Police GHQ in Floriana and then the line dropped after keeping on mobile for around 10 minutes.
We have everything set up on the forum all we need is help from authorities. But it looks like we never going to get it. Just visit fishmarkets, restaurants and you see .... undersized fish everywhere (maybe it stops for a week but then it continues)
Anyway i am PRO for Kingfisher Sport Fishing Association and action from our side all we can do is practice catch and release and teach future kids and members who join all about the fun of sportfishing. At least we are playing our part ... then when maybe the time comes authorities will start thinking different but I am very negative on this thing happening.
Quote from: malvizzu on August 10, 2011, 17:41:03 CET
Quote from: Granitu on August 10, 2011, 13:50:15 CET
Afterall politicians and governmnet always give priority to hobbies having a high economic activity.
With the exception of hunters. The hunting community generates thousands of Euros each year in shotguns, ammunition, accessories, etc. but still the only thing we achieved from the government is a high increase in licence and a crackdown on the hunting days >:( :-\ :'(
Malvizzu I have nothing about hunting but hunters abused heavily of their position and targeted birds which are proteced by law. Still more could have been done.
What the fishing community can provide is tourism during peak times. I believe that in order that amateur sport fisherman will ever be considered, the fishing community has to prove the possibility to generate sufficient funds for the government to
Protect the fishing community
Profit... through taxes.... from it... :(
Guys. I would like feedback on this issue and if any of you have any contacts, please provide information on relative regulation.
A guy was today fined 200 euro for being found fishing for brieqex near filfla without being anchored. He was told that next time he ill be imprisoned for 3 months, fined 2000 euro and his boat confiscated. He also took the law with him to no avail.
Law states that you cannot moore, anchor, swim or walk on land but does not state that you cannot fish from a boat. SO I am now questioning why was he fined?.. Maybe nobody knows what law states, and they go by assumptions, or another law has been issued that we do not know about, or a notice to mariners? Maybe he should appeal to this decision...
http://www.google.com.mt/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mepa.org.mt%2Ffile.aspx%3Ff%3D1413&ei=yVhMU_ivEee57AbBsoDQDQ&usg=AFQjCNEF68xSt5PImK1rDi496zroVApW1w
Caldaland.
This concerns dry land of filfla.
It is specified and if the intention was about the one mile radious, it should be stated since that there is no interpretation.
See notice to mariners 473 of 1987 which was repealed by govt notice 173 of 1990
• GN 473 of 1987 and LN to Mariners 16 of 1987 prohibited the berthing or
navigation of any craft within an area of one nautical mile radius off Filfla.
• Filfla Nature Reserve Act (i.e. Act XV of 1988) which declared Filfla as the only (at
the time) Nature Reserve of the islands, under the aegis of the Secretariat for the
Environment.
• GN 173 of 1990 subsequently permitted fishing vessels to enter the previously
prohibited area.
True,but we are talking about Malta,the place were laws can be differently interpretated by Tom,Dick and Jerry.
If I am not mistaken, the only fishing legally which is legally permitted near Filfla is surface trolling i.e. no one is allowed to stop, anchor, or do any other types of fishing within an area of 1nm radius off Filfla. Correct me if I'm wrong...
That's how I know it Kris, but that's just talk. It's important to know what the law states. I would suggest that those who are members of the federation to ask this question to them. Also your friend should contact mr Roderick Galdes and mr Joe Mizzito clear it up.
Well said shanook.
Forget about what we know of what we heard!!!!!!!!!!!
Please substantiate what you write here by evidence.
We are speaking about laws, and what is legal and what is not...
This is our right.
4. The killing, capture, collection, trapping, maintaining in
captivity, taxidermy, commercial exploitation, as well as picking
and hunting of any species of flora and fauna in or from the Filfla
nature reserve is prohibited:
Unfortunately, unless the last part is removed or superseeded, then the 1nm radius forms part of the reserve and this makes even surface trolling illegal! Im no expert but i know how to interpret law.
Wait for news.
I am in contact with, Fisheries, AFM, MEPA and ALE to come to a reasonable solution or understanding.
Read previously and written you will not find any written evidence about the 1.1 nm radious, but specifically the land of Filfla.
Every law has a set of definitions preceeding, and there is nowhere written that filfla constitutes of land and the surrounding area.
I have also a copy of the contravention issued, and I trying to interpret law to my best knowledge.
Since today I have so many contradicting versions from different individuals, but many of them are just 'kif dak li jkun jahsibha'
icom its not that easy interpreting the laws:
in your statement above you stated and I quote ''of any species of flora and fauna in or from the Filfla
nature reserve is prohibited'' unquote.
Flora and fauna is a referral to a particular Plants and particular animals that are found in that specific area, in our case Filfla so that does not include common fish found around the whole island so any type of fishing is allowed in the above statement.
That law was done to safe guard the plants and animals that are indigenous to the island of filfla. I am sorry (and feel a bit ashamed) but I forgot the names of the plants and the forked tail lizard. oh almost forgot the seagulls that made Filfla their home and only breed there.
So you see its not that straight forward as you might think.
I think icom got the interpretation right..... To my understanding the definition of natural reserve in the law is 'filfla plus a 1.1mile circulaf radius to filfla'
Not too sure but
All the surface area of the Island of Filfla shall be a protected nature reserve.
Establishing Filfla
as a nature reserve.
What does this mean guys? Point number 3.
As I know it, the Fisheries department do not prevent you from fishing around Filfla if no anchoring takes place, and surface trolling and jigging are supposed to be permitted, HOWEVER the Transport Malta notice to mariners which is the binding law of the sea establishes that vessels may not approach within 1.1nm of Filfla thereby negating the possibility of fishing there because you are not allowed to be there with your boat!
This is why the AFM stop people because they are applying the rules from the notice to mariners. Tells me that the NTM needs to be amended.
Which notice to mariners nick....
What is mentioned above is not a notice to mariners?
"Of any species of flora and fauna in or from the Filfla
nature reserve is prohibited'' ......................After the word "FAUNA",there should have been a comma. It would have changed the whole sense of the text and eliminate any confusion. Obviously,it would have been too much for goverment personel!
Quote from: baghira on April 22, 2014, 14:32:29 CET
Which notice to mariners nick....
What is mentioned above is not a notice to mariners?
You wrote that your friend got stopped and charged by the AFM for breaking the law whilst surface fishing. I remember you posted a notice to mariners and some legal notices a while back and that is what I was referring to as it seems that the AFM are stuck on the Notice to Mariners 473 of 1987 even though after that there was G.N 173 of 1990
He needs to engage a Maritime lawyer and go to court over his charge. His lawyer will need to highlight relvant law and AFM lawyer would have to do the same. But unless we are all missing something the AFM are not correct in their charges and I would expect a lawyer to take them 'to the cleaners' by getting costs awarded, pushing for compensation and demanding an official apology from the head of the AFM maritime section. However aside from costs, you're unlikely to get anything else.
I would imagine this is something that the fisheries board need to bring up and discuss and involve the AFM liaison to get the issue sorted out.
Perhaps The Gaffer and the Federation can bring this up in their next meeting.
We certainly can ask a generalistic question about this, sort of referred for guidance on this matter. If i have all th facts in hand, i will definitely request some clatity on the issue.
So... Until today. I received an acknowledgement from Mepa, and an e-mail from Fisheries telling me that he is abroad and that he will try to look into the subject ASAP. From ALE I got different versions from officers, and the Police inspector did not answer me yet.
From AFM I already have a written declaration, datet 2 years back, telling me that fishing is permitted.
This time it was ALE officers whom took action against this person, whom is not my fiend, but who came to me to ask me to help him out, if he was not contravening any law. And he was bottom fishing (ghall brieqex).
And from my findings until today. Yes you can go and fish, obviously with limitations, since that Flifla Nature reserve act, means the land of filfla, since that there is no definition, and it is written clearly that the surface area of the island - so not the sea, and you cannot assume that the 1.1 NM is included because another Notice dated years back mentioned it. And the GN issued after this, permits fishing.
@ Gaffer. If you would like more details on the matter, I have a copy of the contravention and the police report.
I still do not know what was he fined for. Maybe he offended the court and was charged (malafama) I still need to see the court ruling.
If he was charged for entering the 1.1 nautical mile, I am amazed, how was the decision taken since that until today, I have spoken to about 6 head positions, from different authorities, and nobody gave me a definite answer besides the answer I got from AFM a couple of years back.
by the way...
If I remember well he was not charged because he was fishing...
He was charged since that he was with his boat within the 100 metres from filfla, and they had a photo with the distance from the GPS.
Below please find reply from MEPA, confirming what I have previously stated.
Dear Mr. Grixti,
Kindly note that from an environmental perspective the following regulations are relevant to Filfla:
- Act XV of 1988 (Chapter 323), the Filfla Nature Reserve Act, which provides for the establishment of the Filfla Nature Reserve and which states that " All the surface area of the Island of Filfla shall be a protected nature reserve." LN 424 of 2007, Adaptation of Laws (Chapters 301 - 350) Order, 2007, which has been published by the Minister responsible for Finance, amends the act vis-a-vis some regulations related to penalties.
- Act X of 2010, Environment and Development Planning Act, which provides for the protection of biodiversity and its subsidiary legislation LN 311 of 2006 as amended, the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, through whose provisions the area around Filfla has been designated as a Natura 2000 site (Special Area of Conservation) and hence to which the relevant provisions for its conservation and protection apply.
Since your query is also related to navigation and fishing activities adjacent to Filfla, including GN 173 of 1990, it is recommended that Transport Malta and the Department of Fisheries are also contacted for further information on their regulations. Transport Malta may also have additional information in relation to Notice to Mariners for the area.
Regards,
Nadia
And...............
Mr Grixti,
Attached please find info re-Filfla for your perusal.
Thank you
And he attached a link to the below listed.
Govt notice 173 of 1990 and Kap 323 Riserva Naturali ta Filfla
Mr. Balzan (Fisheries)
So after 1 month they replied with what I had written the 1st place with no extra explanation......
Obviously they received another reply from my end for this kind of reply....
They said that law is subject to interpretation"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meaning - They did not find time to discuss this subject, and they did not conclude!
I never received any reply From ALE which are the Department that took legal action, not even an acknowledgement.
I contacted the Inspector on telephone and he replied that they have loads of work to do due to hunting..!!!!!!!!! ??????????????
Speechless !!!! thanks for your work though baghira
now hunting is over and they should be able to give an explanation... x'farsa
Well hunting is a maaaaajooooorrrr priority in Malta cause all hunters are criminals :( And poor birds - they are defenseless!!! Hunting is more an important issue than drugs, slashing one's throat in Paceville, illegal immigrants or theft on old people!!!! Hunting is more widely publicized in Malta!!! Well that's Malta :-\