"Regulation of Fishing & Diving in Gibraltar"

The Government notes and welcomes the public debate initiated by the Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers in relation to fishing in Gibraltar. Indeed, the Government encouraged the Federation to initiate a public debate on this important matter. Prior to the start of this campaign, the Government informed the Federation that it is currently working on policy and legislation to better regulate fishing. In fact, the proposed legislation will, in accordance with previous Government statements, regulate diving and other aquatic leisure activities as well as some aspects of fishing. The Government expects shortly to issue a public consultation paper covering a comprehensive range of measures relating to fishing, diving and other marine sport and leisure activities.

The Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers has provided the Government with a list of its proposals and ideas. Many of these are acceptable to the Government and are therefore reflected in the Government's proposals, following past and recent consultations with the Federation. Some of the Federation's proposals and ideas are not acceptable to the Government and will thus not be included in the Government's proposed legislation and action plan.

A Government spokesman said:-
"As in so many other areas of life in Gibraltar, the Government has to balance the needs and interests of various, often conflicting public interests of Gibraltar. Marine sport & leisure should be carried out safely and also sensitively to the environment. Marine sport and leisure facilities should also be used in a way that is fair to all citizens who wish to use them, and that gives residents of Gibraltar proper access to them. The Government has accepted the case for regulation. However, our sport and leisure facilities must remain open to fair and proper use by residents of Spain, just as theirs are open, and are frequently used by residents of Gibraltar.
Regulation for all is the best way to achieve all these objectives.
It would appear that a very small minority of participants in this campaign (as is the case also in the small boats campaign) are close to local politics in Gibraltar and introduce that twist into the debate. This will not deter the Government from working with the Federation of Sea Anglers and other relevant and interested groups and associations to introduce a sensible regulatory framework to address the very real issues and entirely reasonable concerns that affect our local fishing community, and to accommodate as many of their proposals and ideas as the Government believes to be acceptable in the wider public interests of Gibraltar."

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