Federation Meeting with Fisheries Board Sub Committee for new Sport/Recreational

[Gogo]

Maltaspearo  I have a boat registered with an 'S' of 4.5 metres with a 50hp outboard .  What will I have to do to legally be allowed to fish.  Can someone please explain the procedure to me?

So you are registered with SSR with a boat not exceeding 50 HP. Your annual renewal fee with TM is €30 . Correct?
You still will need the fishing license from Fisheries Directorate. For a boat below 6 metres the annual fee is €23.29.

Please note that presently these changes are not in force. These are the proposals which are being discussed.
Please to not call at any department for registration. Presently nothing has changed.

Gogo

[Moonwalker]

Thanks Shanook that explains it enough.
And yes I have met with other foreign boats and they consider that part of sea as theirs.

[Moonwalker]

Another question for Gogo -
There are some boats registered as SSR (uk registration I think). Will these be able to apply for MFC too?

[Gogo]

moonwalker   
There are some boats registered as SSR (uk registration I think). Will these be able to apply for MFC too?

As far as I know foreign registered boats cannot fish in Maltese territorial waters.
Last year during the alongi competition I had some trouble with two UK registered boats when Fisheries Officers saw them. On that occasion being a charitable competitions no action was taken but I was warned that this should not happen again. Both owners were told to register their boats in Malta  in order to fish. Well I will check with the department to be sure.

Gogo

[shanook]

If a fishing license is introduced, I think it will be against the eu policy not to issue them (foreign reg) with a fishing license since they are not commercial but recreational....something to look into......
As things stand now it's the registration (mfc etc) that is allowed to fish in the Maltese waters.

[skip]

moonwalker   
There are some boats registered as SSR (uk registration I think). Will these be able to apply for MFC too?

I was categorically told, NO that a UK SSR Registered Boat cannot fish outside of UK waters.

The vessel can be used in Maltese waters for leisure, however fishing evening recreationally, apparenly falls under the FCD and associated local regulations.

In addition, I was reminded that in order to own and keep a UK SSR registered boat, you are obliged as per the UK MCA registration regulations to spend MORE than 185 days in the UK. Presently it seems there is no enforcement of this.....!

It's understandable why people want to UK SSR register......it's £25 for 5 years and there is no size restriction in terms of cruising distance. So a 5m UK SSR registered boat can still leave 12nm from Malta if the insurance so covers them.

As maltaspearo , our system here is overcomplicated and over-priced for the service offered.

[Gogo]

Yes, Skip is 100% right.
Today I asked High FCD Officials and this was cinfirmed. UK SSR boats can  navigate in Maltese waters but cannot fish.

[windpower]

I fully agree with maltaspero regarding the individual having the licence and not the boat.  The licence itself should list clearly the type of fishing gear that could be used.   The licence may also indicate any boat type restrictions and solely applicable to recreational fishing. This would be without prejudice to any other applicable laws or regulations which regulate the type and size of fish which may be caught.


windpower

[windpower]

Following up on the statement by skip


"In addition, I was reminded that in order to own and keep a UK SSR registered boat, you are obliged as per the UK MCA registration regulations to spend MORE than 185 days in the UK. Presently it seems there is no enforcement of this.....!"

One of the conditions to be eligible to register a boat under the UK Register Part III (SSR) the person under whose name the boat is registered has to be "an ordinarily resident in the UK".   

All the information can be obtained from the UK MCA website.


windpower

[shanook]

Hello Federation, its happening, we are already having problems with the new booklet.... confusion is rampant it seems.
I am a paying member of a club and I have not heard anything yet.  I am writing here so that maybe something gets done.
Now you can appreciate why I stated that its ONLY the equipment or type of fishing that cannot be used should be stated on the booklet.

[Gogo]

Hi Shanook,

Next week we are resuming the meetings with FCD etc..... on Recreational fishing.
The MFC Booklet reports what the boat owner said during the survey and what was not named does not mean it is not permitted.  Mechanized/electrical apparatus are not registered as methods of fishing. Hydrolic winches have been used for decades and never included as fishing method. Bottom long lines are fishing methods irrespective if used manually, hydrolic or electric winch. However we are insisting to included these means to avoid future misunderstandings and speculation.
Presently not decisions have been finalized. We are working hard on the 100 HP outboard ban which from the Federation end has to be removed otherwise no progress can be achieved.

Since meetings are again on further information will be forwarded in the near future.

Gogo

[shanook]

So I am assuming that the old system is not being even considered. That is stating what cannot be used.
Does it mean that we ignore what is written on the booklet? As it never mentions survey but what is permitted by the owner to use while fishing.

[The_Gaffer]

L-ahwa, ghalissa nista nghid dan li gej biss:  
intom bis-serjeta hsibtu lil-Gaffer ha joqghod kwiet fil konfront ta xi hadd, u minn hu, li b'xi mod jista jimpeddixi, ifixkel, jew iwaqqaf lis-sajjieda dilletanti milli nipprattikaw dak li ghandha ghal qalbna? Ahna tal-MFF naghmlu l-affarijiet fil-berah, minghajr ordnijiet jew karrijiet, u minn irrid jifhimni jifhem.  M'ghandiex agendi mohbija, u dak li ghandha naghmlu, naghmluh minn qalbna, u mhux biex naqdu lil master taghna, ghaldaqstant;
Jien passi hadt f'isem l-MFF, u fis-sighat li gejjin inkun nista niccara id-diskors sew.  
Fish On  - Ejja l-ahwa, ghax gibed

[shanook]

Gogo there are those that are being asked to choose a zone for fishing. Since u are holding talks with the fisheries, dont you think that these should stopped till the talks are over. Since the fisheries is coming out with these new ideas and the federation is not opposing them, to me it naturally means that you agree with them.

[Bin_Gaffer]

Ejja guys, kurag... pressure pressure pressure, ekk jejd il coach....