A meeting with Mr. MARK GAUCI PISCOPO, Fisheries Protection Officer at the Fisheries Control Directorate, will be held at Puch and Judy Club, Main street, Rabat on the 26th April at 7pm.
All members especially those taking part in this year's 'Alungi competition' National Big Game tournament are urged to attend.
Entrance is free and everybody would be free to place questions and discuss whatever he wishes with the Fisheries representative.
I frankly feel that this is a great opportunity not to be missed by those who are not sure, or have doubts, some of which keep appearing on the forum, about recent fishing" regulations.
The Fisheries are very positive towards this forum, and our initiatives, and will help in this year's competition. They are happy to give any help or advice to our members, onto any subject one might have questions.
Members from other fishing clubs are also attending.
So come one, this will be a one opportunity not to be missed, both to learn what you have asked yourself for ages, and also to have a drink and chat with other members.
P.S. Other Non members/friends interested may attend.
Cya
I'm in!!
me 2! thanks silv
me too
Well exposed Baghira, thanks for your help - count me in
c u there mate
jn nigi cu there
I took the opportunity to post this information on the "Ghaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Birzebbuga".
Thanks and see you there.
Prosit Frans. We hope to have a very informative evening...few drinks, meet up, and chat in a relaxed atmosphere
I am in too
We need more attendance guys for this meeting....
Coem on ......
It is important for all those taking part in the alongi competition to be present since that this year it is not restricted just to alongi, but also for other species which can be caught under certain rules that will be briefed during this meeting..
We need to collaborate and show interest with members of the fisheries....
So please do come...
Count me in.
Its important for all to attend so that a number of questions being posted on the forum regarding boat registration, fishing regulations in general, and any other questions related to fishing form land, sea and spear fishing are challenged and answered by someone the very authority that enforces these regulations.
i am working cant come
Two other participants are comming tomorrow......
They just contacted me...
i have acca lectures it would have been interesting to ask the guys somethings
like when are they going to resign?
Guys the meeting with Mark Gauci, FCD representitive, is still on. Mark confirmed earlier on that he would be at the Punch & Judy in Rabat 7.30 pm tomorrow Tuesday as agreed...looking forward to see you all as this is going to be an interesting subject.
I'll try my best to attend.
I am coming with my fishing partner. See you there at 07:30pm.
Cant attend tomorrow :(
Can someone ask about MFC outboard restriction of 100HP when this will be changed?
What is the exact time - Baghira says 7pm, Seafox says 7.30pm?
Quote from: Moonwalker on April 25, 2011, 18:17:54 CET
Cant attend tomorrow :(
Can someone ask about MFC outboard restriction of 100HP when this will be changed?
I had asked Dr. Gruppetta about this a year ago and didn't get a definite answer as it's a totally ridiculous restriction when inboards are unrestricted. From an environmental perspective, modern outboards are much cleaner with lower emissions.
Can anyone explain where punch and judy is please.
Main street, Rabat.
Opposite Nationalist party club.
The road near the petrol station just opposite as you go up Saqqajja hill.
7:30 pm is good.
But we can be there a bit in advance.
Quote from: baghira on April 26, 2011, 09:39:22 CET
Main street, Rabat.
Opposite Nationalist party club.
The road near the petrol station just opposite as you go up Saqqajja hill.
ok thanks
So was it a positive meeting?
I would like to thank Mark and Joseph from the FCD for taking the time out of their busy schedules after hours to discuss both current and future legislation concerning fishing, for listening to our concerns and for noting the feedback presented. It was also a great opportunity to further enhance the collaboration between the MFF and the Federation that continues to pave the way for future developments.
- 100hp outboard issue on MFC will be looked into
- Swordfish, confirmed no minimum size at the moment (so please think about conservation and ethics) but you must contact a landing officer four hours in advance and go to one of the 4 designation landing zones
- Bluefin, no fishing near farms, catch and release permitted with no extra authorisations. Allocated for recreational quota licence will this year still be limited to 18 on a random lottery basis from those who applied, and they will receive 100kgs each. Next year we would like to see an increased quota for recreational and the entire quota shared between all those who apply for the permit rather than individually allocated quota
- BFT, we pointed out that the reason why recreational fishermen in Italy can land 1 tuna per trip is because the majority percentage of the country's quota is given to the recreational sector as the main stakeholders as the country generates more revenue from boating, tackle and associated expenditure rather than commercial fishing
- Currently no fishing distinction between MFC and S , the only distinctions are those imposed my Transport Malta on distance and safety specifications versus those imposed by Fisheries. (eg you can have an MFC boat of 5m but registered for max 6nm due to the safety equipment it carries, whereas S is permitted to 12nm)
- S registered boat, whether 4meters or 15m cannot leave territorial waters 12nm
- Valletta registered boats are min 6m and can leave the 12nm zone and fish with no additional permits or requirements beyond those of their insurance company and TM
- MFC register is still currently closed for transfers but open to brand new boats until matters are sorted out between Fisheries Register and TM
The meeting with Mr. Mark Gauci and Mr Joseph Farrugia Fisheries Control Officers was very instructive and various regulations were brought up by the amateur fishermen present. Issues as Recreational BFT quotas, differences between boat registrer i.e 'S' versus MFC and MFB, longline fishing for Lampuki etc..... were discussed. The Fisheries Officers said that they will continue their contact with The Federation and MFF which in turn is in continuous contact with its associated clubs. This contact must be enhanced as in the future following discussion between Fisheries department and TM ( known as MMA) Authority new regulations concerning registration of recreational fishing boats will be implimented.
Also the Federation is working hand in hand with The Malta Fish Forum which has through its website a wide distribution among amateur fishermen who have a common interest in preserving their hobby.
Federation again suggest that all Amateur Fishermen rally in the different local clubs including the Malta Fishing Forum so forming a compact body within the Federation of Amateur Maltese Fishermen which represents all fishing activities from shore to Big Game Fishing.
Quite agree. The meeting was well attended. Various questions were put from the floor, while Mark and Joseph also provided an insight into current legislation and where will all this take us. A fact to mention is the current dicussions taking place beteen the Fisheries Division and Transport Malta on the regulation of recreational fishermen using vessels (MFC and S registration), and Fisheries and the Federation, especially on definition and interpretation of EU regulation No. 1967.
Of particular interest was a suggestion from the floor, backed by a number of people present, that all recreational fishermen should be affiliated with a recognised club or fishing association. There are formal discussions going on to regulate the recreational fishing activity, be it from land, sea or underwater, and the suggestion from the floor to mandate all recreational fishermen to be affiliated with a club or association makes sense in terms of education, strength in numbers and control. A topic which came up during the workshop was the recognition of the MFF by the Federation and the Malta Sports council. This will be addressed in the near future.
Some other issues discussed were:
'Pariti' this matter will be taken in hand seriously by the dept. after the BFT season is over. Discussions included size of nets, distance from shore, protected sites from this type of fishing, and maybe periods of the year.
The fisheries directorate can take also anonymous complaints, provided that these are not misleading.
AFM are bieng given instructions/information from the fisheries to act and enforce regulations, even if no officers from the fisheries are onboard.
The carrying of fishing impement on a boat by law means, that it is intended to be used, this meaning that if you carry aqualungs and have a speargun onboard, you are guilty of an offence.
What is permitted and not around filfla has been discussed, and moreover also other parts of the maltese islands, including protected dive sites etc.
The importance of market surveilance was highlighted by all members and authority, since that it is the only way to enforce fishermen to catch and release smaller species of fish.
This is what i could remember.
I seriously beleive that at this point in time, it is very important for all recreational fishermen to be members in a club. This would be of a great benefit for our sport, and we were also informed that the Malta Fishing Forum will in due time evolve!!
Thanks for all the members that attended.
It was very informative, and hope to help in the organisation of more such activities in the future.
Alltogether we can make a change.
P.S. A big thanks goes also to Punch and Judy club who offerd the Venue for this event, and also to Dr. Carbott whom is a valuable tool for us amateur fisherman.
Good outcome - keep it up.
So the MFF is recognised as a club or we (premium and VIP members) have to join another club?
No until today we are not recognised as a club Moonwalker...
But that's why I said that the forum will evolve..
QuoteAll Premium and VIP members of the MFF do not need to join another club.
This explains it all thanks.
Well done to all organisers for yesterday's meeting. It was a very interesting, positive and healthy discussion.