Tuna quotas

[skip]

you have to do a stop at some point but still... it is very unfair and whoever this mr grupetta is has to hold himself liable if he is in charge.....

It's Dr. Gruppetta and he's the Head of Fisheries.......a position I don't envy him being in at the moment.

Like it or not guys this is the situation, now let's move forward and find a way to have some kind of compromise like I mentioned above. A permit for catch and release throughout the year.

[robby017]

you have to do a stop at some point but still...

so why are the purse seiners still fishing ?

why were they granted a further 200 tonnes?

PS - A full time longline fisherman told me the above, so if its not true, i was mislead too!!!

[mellieha]

Skip,

Catch and release might work for some but as for everything the few gready one's will make the rest suffer.

I am seeing the bird hunting paradigm even more .

What do you think?

[Granitu]

many tell alot, but many of these are multinational companies. from an econimical point of view, this represents income to the government, but still, it would be better off if caught by the maltese... but why it is not?

mmmm....... bribes.... who knows so simple my friend

let me note you that the one in charge of tuna quote owns a lot of tuna fish farms in malta.... 1+1=3

catch and release with a 100kg example is is difficult i think mellieha.... and prob there will be still some who will fish tuna

[The_Gaffer]

you have to do a stop at some point but still...

so why are the purse seiners still fishing ?

why were they granted a further 200 tonnes?

PS - A full time longline fisherman told me the above, so if its not true, i was mislead too!!!

I've already answered this in a previous post:
Craus:  That is not true.  The only consession extended was to 12 boats which at the time of announcing the season closed, were still out fishing for Tuna and naturally were exempted from getting rid of their catch.  
During my discussion with Dr. Gruppetta, I mentioned the idea of catch and release.  Dr. Gruppetta was very receptive to this suggestion, and is ready to discuss a programme with the MFF on these lines.  This would be an official programme, recognised by the authorities, whereby recreational fishermen would be licenced to prctice BFT fishing on a catch and release basis.  We would obviously be obliged to report back with data about catches, size and weight, and this data will be presented at international fora.  It is for this reason that Skip and myself will be meeting Dr. Gruppetta in the coming days to discuss this initiative, whereby we still get to fish for and experience the thrill of hooking up a BFT, only this time, after collecting the relevant data, we release.  To me this is a very reasonable compromise, and shows an element of trust from the authorities to the recreational fisermen, and mutual respect that we do practice what we preach!!!...catch and release.

[The_Gaffer]

Granitu  - the tuna quota is decided by the ICCAT, and not decided by the maltese authorities.  What you probably meant is that the gguy who records the Maltese commercial catch, and not in charge of the quota per se.

[Granitu]

but i heard some grumbles about him from tuna fisherman, fisherman that repaid faith in his management

i believe in control AND IT HAS TO BE!  but not the way it is managed gaffer. and i take nothing fore-granted ESPECIALLY WITH BRIBES, it can be of any form

and anyone could be taking bribes, could come from anywhere including ICCAT. Just see the treatment they reserve to recreational fisherman, as if we are second class.... it is pathetic when one considers the fact that a recreational fisherman generates more wealth(all buy tackle, line, fuel, hooks, rods and accessories which professional ones do not use and not necessarily catch) than a professional one, even economically it is better

they fail to understand that the future of fishing stands in sport fishing not in professional fishing, the sea is showing that it can't witshand professional fishing... quotas and catch and release is the future.... just like the united states, the professioanl fishing industry is becoming more difficult to operate than ever as opposed to sport fishing charters

it has been statistically approved in england and accepted by the government, but not as yet in malta....and i keep asking why other countries are able to figure it out and our politicians can't??

[robby017]

ok, catch and release..... altough its dificult with a tuna, i can live with it... and i appreciate the effort nic and joe... but... say i am willing to release a 100-150 kg tuna i caught whilst trolling... how do you control such a powerful fish to take out the hook, when, you can't even gaff it as you will injure it more and reduce its chance of survival.... ma nafx, just in case i finally do come face to face with a tuna whilst fishing recreationally.

[skip]

You cut the line Robby.......modern hooks are designed to dissolve when left immersed in Salt Water.

Try and bring the fish near the boat, reach down and slide your lure up the line and then snip!

As the golden rule is to keep the line tight to avoid losing the fish, once you've taken your picture, give the line some slack, the fish will sometimes break itself free.

I've also seen online that the skipper speeds up the boat a bit which helps keep the fish up on the surface near the boat......I haven't done this myself so I'm not 100% sure

Perhaps someone like Twoutes can offer more insight.

[robby017]

nic, its no joke.... i have had a hand on experience of a +200kg BFT caught on a longline with a pro in June 2008... its a mighty fish and prep yourself for a good fight.... it took us 2 hours to bring a mighty still full of energy tuna on board and i'm glad to say i held onto the line most of the time.... its no joke bringing this much sought after tuna up to the boat to release them as they'll fight till the end... (Suicidle at times as its not the first time they head for the rotating props)
Remember Dennis Braid's tuna nic  they had to gaff and spear the fish as it would not give in... and that was only a 175-200kg fish, as i told you, i know of catches of over 400 and 500kg even tough they don't happen every day, we'll dream of our day 

[robby017]

i guess we'll be needing tutorials....

[The_Gaffer]

A good reminder Robby017, that denis braid vidoe, if I'm not mistaken, he managed to land the Tuna in under 20minutes, and it was completely exhausted!.  Fighting tuna with a rod and good reel is so much different from longlines.  The fish is made to fight all the way, and it has the drag to contend with, whilst also the forward movement of the boat.  You just come with me on my 1st BFT catch and release trip...and you'll see what its all about!!!!!

[robby017]

and it was completely exhausted!

. 

No it wasn't, he speared it in the head, that's when it stopped fighting and came up to the surface exhausted.

BUT

ok for the invite, when do we go... i'll cook the pasta   meta trid immorru... just one little note, 90-95% of recreational fishermen do not afford the tackle used in that video, but, moving along, i'll gladly join you joe!

[busumark]

maybe what robby was trying to say is that half the quota of malta was sold to foreign pursieners with the blessing of two peolple in high position

[ramio]

It would be interesting to know who registered the catches that made up the quota.
Regarding the catch and release isue on BFT, how does the tuna act once totaly exhausted to being released. I have heard many explain that after such a fight, the strain on the heart makes it stop!