Stanley Farrugia Randon, Attard
Practices that endanger fish stocks
I read with interest the letter written by Mark Mifsud Bonnici entitled Illegal Fishing Rampant (August 20). Indeed illegal fishing is still rampant despite regulations. Din l-Art Ħelwa has been running a Blue Campaign for the past five years and has often spoken about this practice which is decreasing fish stock and endangering some marine species. We had also discussed the matter with the Maltese EU Fisheries Commissioner but regulations have to be enforced locally.
Large amounts of immature swordfish are sold on a yearly basis in our fish markets. Fishermen do not seem to appreciate that by overfishing they are decreasing the fish stock on which their livelihood depends. Year after year it is becoming more obvious that our fish stock is decreasing rapidly. Both amateur and professional fishermen are noting that they have to spend more time and effort to catch the same amounts of fish as previous years.
What is even more worrying is the fact that fishermen are using nets with smaller mesh sizes and hooks of a smaller size. One can notice this while visiting major fish markets around our islands. This is leading to the catching of immature fish which results in an exponential decrease of fish stock.
The negative effects which certain fishing implements have on the fish population has been known since years. Continuous dredging of the seabed and uncontrolled use of nets with small mesh sizes are contributing to the depletion of fish in the Mediterranean.
Many nets are being hauled in bays and creeks and this practice must stop as this is depleting these breeding grounds from the fish. Various experts who visited our islands in the past to report on the fishing industry in Malta have condemned this practice. Fish enter bays to lay eggs and are caught before doing so. If they manage to do so, their young are caught while trying to swim out of the bay to mate and continue the life cycle of the species.
Fishing with the use of nets and long-lines should be prohibited within all bays and closed seasons should be contemplated in other areas. Bollards painted in red and white which prohibit fishing within a line which joins the bollards at each end of a bay are useless as they prohibit fishing only in a very small section of the bay.
Many seem very much concerned with closed seasons for hunting birds but we are ignoring the fact that we are endangering our fish stock.
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Joe Bonnetti
Aug 21st 2009, 17:43
@Joseph Meli:May May..I..add that at this spot..large amount of people..visit the ta' xbiex sea front do leave a..lot of rubbish, park..on double yellow..lines along the coast road, and the terrace. Then I notices many who take out deck-chairs, and tables along the..pavement near the letter..box of Ta' Xbiex Terrace, Ta' Xbiex while eating there supper, or evening meal, blocking the pavement passage from being used. That's not..enough, they..leave a lot of left..over or rubbish while they do have where to throw these, but they just use the open field which is now infested with insects, rats and also mosquitos or flies. To my astonishment and a very big disgrace goes on the Police..Department and also the Local..Wardens, because I saw these..passing or patrolling this particular area between the post letter box and the Italian..Embassy, but they close their eyes, drive..on as if they have failed to see anything, while you..and me are paying them from..our taxes. Someone must investigate these..facts. In fact I tried to pass on the pavement, but I was told to go down the pavement, and walk..along the..road as they had blocked..the way also with their vehicle..doors...P.S..I..am..too..against..illegal..fishing..which..occurre..in..or around Malta
Joseph Meli
Aug 21st 2009, 13:47
With further reference to what was written by Stanley Farrugia Randon, to which I do agree with, but besides the illegal fishing, one has also to mention and protect against the recent news of the proposed new yacht marine along Ta' Xbiex Coast Road.
we are..opposing this..development only for these reasons:-
(A) Area near the water-polo club for water polo playing&training, part of this used by general public. (B) Rocks formation will be covered with concrete for proposed quay alignment with platoons and platform usages. Rocks formation & the sandy area are both covered by the Malta Structure Plan, and on these rocks fishermen in 1915 onwards used to hang their nets (known..as..Xbiek), out of which came the name Ta' Xbiex. (C) Could change the sea current patterns, causing erosion..of..littoral and sub..littoral sediment of area,since area is very shallow and its sand slops..hat is being formed are in danger. (D) 100 yachts as planned when they go out with their invited guests, the..approximate amount of..vehicles that would be parked would..exceed..500.
We are already..facing several parking..problems opposite our residence during..Fridays, Saturdays..and..Sundays with..the..four (4) restaurants and those going by the sea-side during..summer time....Those..against..welcomed..to sign..our petition visit...http://taxbiex.epetitions.net