Malta Fishing Forum

Boat Fishing in Malta => Offshore & Coastal Boat Fishing => Topic started by: benri on September 14, 2007, 10:04:12 CET

Title: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: benri on September 14, 2007, 10:04:12 CET
Hi there,
Something that's always in my mind is whether it's allowed for an amateur to troll by "cimi" (I think FADS?) or not. Is there some code of ethic, are they free for all or what? I also once heard some hearsay that people were shot at! is it true? when trolling for lampuki should you pass by the cima or how far off? hope i'm not bombarding too much with questions - if so sorry!
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: gottie on September 14, 2007, 10:45:08 CET
The Cimi are Privately owned. Mostly by fishermen who pay the fisheries department over Lm 100 for a permit so they can throw their 'Rimja". It is also stipulated in the Law that it is illegal to approach them if they are not yours.

Having said that, I'm sure that not everyone has abided fully by the law:). So you might as well try, but if you see a fisherman approach.... Run for your life as I too have heard cases of shotguns being fired !

Then there's the other alternative. You can become a member of a fishing club and fish on their cimi.

For lampuki you have to troll quite near the FAD but not too close as you might catch the cima instead of fish with your hook !
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: skip on September 14, 2007, 11:05:36 CET
What Gottie says is true but only valid up to 25nm from Malta, the so called Exclusive fishing zone. After 25 miles, Maltese Law is not applicable in International waters and you cannot be prevented from going on Cimi
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: gottie on September 14, 2007, 11:15:18 CET
Yes from 25 miles on, its the law of the jungle, Thus if I see a shotgun I run !! :D
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: shanook on September 14, 2007, 15:53:55 CET
if i am not mistaken you have to keep 500 feet away from the fads. these are placed by professional fisherman and lets not forget its their income, they spend a lot of money and effort to lay the fads. if you troll about 30feet away from the fad lampuki will stay attack the lure and if there are lampuki u dont scare them off the fad and keep them calm. So as the other members said join a club and use those fads. The thing is once u get hooked on offshore fishing u tend to want to fish out there that is from 15 miles out where u dont see land and its peacefull and vast and more chance of hooking a good sized fish. Happy fishing........
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: skip on September 15, 2007, 07:37:31 CET
I understand its their living, but let's be honest, just how many lampuki can you catch on a Rixa?! They net them and one isn't really interfering with that, plus from what I've heard most aren't too bothered especially on the ones that are up to say 15 miles to shore as they go 80 miles out.

Plus and this is just my personal feeling, their fuel is subsidised which we the tax payer pick up the bill for and they get big government subsidies for their boats and equipment which we also pay for, in return we don't get anything as the price of fish in the market is still very high. I personally feel if you don't abuse it, and are not interfering with their fishing activity I dont see an issue.

For example moving a couple of miles ahead of a professional fisherman running his FADs would be intereferring, but if there's no one about and you're out of 25 miles, it's cowboy land just make sure your boat can do more than 28 knots in those sea conditions as their fishing boats can move if they put on all engines and max power!
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: shanook on September 15, 2007, 12:51:52 CET
you hit it right on the head skip. Good advice on the speed.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: ciappinu on September 15, 2007, 17:00:18 CET
I totally agree with Skip. Infact fisherman don't bother much up to 8-12 miles. Just take care when seeing bigger boats, and make sure you have a good lead, just in case!

On the other hand, catching one lampuka and loosing it at, or close to the boat can ruin a FAD full of lampuki. Lampuki behavior is such that they follow the fastest one, so a prickled lampuka can scare a shoal of lampuki away.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: benri on September 17, 2007, 06:06:03 CET
Thanks for all the info ppl. you made me an expert in no time on the subject!! I tried the top speed and its up to 38 - 40 knots (apart from the fact that I risked splitting my bum :-)... hope the speedo works correctly and I can get the engine started in time if needed!
I think that would be a nightmare... having the fishermen coming at you and your main engine won't start!
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: givella on September 17, 2007, 11:40:25 CET
Hey Berni.  That's great speed!!! You saw 40 knots with a 90HP Johnson outboard.  The maximum I saw with a 4 stroke 90 HP out board was 21 knots.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: busumark on September 17, 2007, 11:48:06 CET
gvella. it depends on which boat u tried the motor.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: skip on September 17, 2007, 11:58:14 CET
Speedo's on a boat usually show in mph not knots, so about 33 knots and are notouriously inaccurate. I would say check with a handheld GPS for the actual speed, but either way you seem to be flying!

Givella, you must have had a very very heavy boat as busumark states, a 15foot open fletcher is very light and a planing hull.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: givella on September 17, 2007, 12:01:29 CET
It is a 19 foot Buccaneer with cabin. rather Hervey. The max is 31 knots not 21 Knots. I made a typo error. I just discussed this with a friend and he pointed out that the fletcher is a very light boat.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: benri on September 17, 2007, 12:46:56 CET
I'm starting to doubt now whether it's knots or miles (I'm still quite new). First time at the garage I'll check what the speedo says and confirm. I've also heard that they're not so reliable but I'm still waiting for my gps... hopefully christmas present! - I'll send a copy of this post to my wife :-)
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: skip on September 17, 2007, 13:52:23 CET
yes!! you definately need a GPS. Your wife wouldn't want you to get lost and not be safe :)
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: pupu on August 06, 2008, 07:06:30 CET
anbody heard of cima ta deletanti just a few miles out
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: Aab131 on August 06, 2008, 09:11:58 CET
Yes. Boats at Mscala are paying around 5euro each and around 3 1/2miles  u start finding the fads. Till now they haven't yet to place fads since season starts at st. Marija
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: nando_s on September 02, 2008, 08:20:18 CET
Hi Guys,

Anyone know where the closest cimi tad-deletanti from the Grand Harbour area are and how far?

Cheers
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: The_Gaffer on September 02, 2008, 08:25:57 CET
Your best choice from grand harbour is the M'scala FAD's.  Head out on a bearing 90 degrees from GH and as soon as you are aligned with the former national swimming pool at M'scala, you should be able to see them.  They are about 4-5 miles from shore
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: blueskip on September 02, 2008, 08:47:33 CET
What is a "FAD"?, one minute it sounds like a net, then a longline, & then again like a "reserved" fishing area at sea, (how can you reserve a part of the sea, vessels have right of passage), confused.com ???
blueskip
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: shanook on September 02, 2008, 09:00:27 CET
FAD  meaning Fish Aggregating Device. This is usually a a float anchored to the sea bed by a stone slab. and a Palm or two attached to attract small fish for shelter. The larger fish then stay close to this float. We then go fishing around this fad.
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: nando_s on September 02, 2008, 11:30:01 CET
Thanks for the info Gaffer. I was under the impression that they were a bit closer and there is some other ones than those off Marsascala. Any info is appreciated!
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: blueskip on September 02, 2008, 16:06:41 CET
Thanks for that, now I understand, its similar to flotsam floating in the sea, it attracts small fish, which in turn attract bigger fish, good idea, like ground baiting from the shore. ;)
blueskip
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: placebo on September 02, 2008, 20:08:35 CET
yep bluskip.

when you are here you'll seee exactly and you know more about FADS as i promise you some nice time always weather permitting!
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: blueskip on September 04, 2008, 18:16:40 CET
Well I hope I dont bring our weather out with me! we have had the worst summer since 1910! I haven't attempted to launch my boat since 21st June (Midsummers day) & it blew a gale & we had to fish off the shore! >:(
Probably the end of Sept will be the start of the "Maltese Monsoon Season" & I will spend the entire week sat on the jetty at Marsascala staring at the waves, still at least the water will be a bit dirty to give me a chance! :D
blueskip
Title: Re: FADs - allowed or not allowed?
Post by: placebo on September 04, 2008, 20:41:53 CET
no problem blue skip we know all the places and i'll always have some place to fish no matter the weather.