Updated: Tuna conservation group denies injuring fishermen, says it freed 800 tuna
(Adds PL's statement)
The captain of a ship involved in an anti-tuna fishing clash with Maltese and Italian fishermen insisted today that his crew had not injured anyone, and his divers had managed to free some 800 tuna which, he claimed, were likely to have been caught after the season was closed. The fishermen were airlifted to hospital last night.
Captain Paul Watson of the Steve Irwin, flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, in a report issued to the media, said that at about 1 p.m. yesterday (Thursday) the Steve Irwin came upon the Italian vessel Cesare Rustico towing two cages some 40 miles off the Libyan coast. One of the cages contained about 800 fish and the other was empty. Another boat, the Rosaria Tuna, was near by.
"The Captain of the Cesare Rustico said when we questioned him, that the tuna were caught on the morning of the 14th by the Libyan vessel Tagreft. When we replied that the number of tuna in the cage exceeded the quota for the Tagreft the captain said the cage also included tuna from seven other Libyan seiners. All the catches were caught on the 14th , the last legal day, he said. The other seven seiners named were the Khandheel 2, Hanibal, Ozul 2 Almadina, Morina, and Khaleej Eltahadi and one other that he had no name for.
"The problem for us with this explanation was that we had observed the Khandheel 2 on the 13th and 14th of June and it was not fishing and weather conditions for those two days made fishing virtually impossible.
"The extremely difficult conditions coupled with the position of the cages only 40 miles off the Libyan coast, when they should have been moving 25 miles a day, suggested to us that the fish were freshly caught within the last three days at the most," Capt Watson said.
"Their statement that all the catches were caught on the 14th sounded much too convenient, so we asked to examine the fish for juveniles and they refused. I then put the bow of the Steve Irwin onto the cage so we could look into the cage from the bow to examine it further.
"Suddenly the Maltese vessel Rosaria Tuna rammed the Steve Irwin on the aft port side and slid alongside the port rail as a fishermen tried to violently gaff Sea Shepherd crew members with a long sharp hook on a pole.
"The Steve Irwin crew retaliated with 8 litres of rotten butter forcing the fishing vessel to retreat and to stand off."
At 3.30 the two fishing vessels circled their cages defensively and the Steve Irwin stood off to notify ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) of possible violations. They did not respond.
The Jean Charcot, the ICCAT inspection vessel will not venture south of 33 Degrees 40 Minutes North, the captain said.
"With two fishing vessels containing angry Italian crews there were risks involved with getting into the water to assess the Bluefin catch. But if the catch is illegal Sea Shepherd divers knew they must cut the nets and free the Bluefin tuna," Capt Watson added.
"Sometimes it is necessary to do what needs to be done despite the risks. The risk of losing the Bluefin tuna as a species is far more important than the risks to our own lives and freedom.
"And so we decided to free the tuna.
"At 1600 hours a five person dive crew entered one of two cages being towed by the Italian fishing vessel Cesare Rustico.
"As the Steve Irwin held off the Cesare Rustico and the support ship Rosaria Tuna, the Sea Shepherd dive crew dove into the net to identify the size, age and quantity of the Bluefin tuna within; once it was clearly established that the cage was over stocked and that a high percentage were juveniles, Sea Shepherd divers freed the 700-800 tuna."
He claimed that the cage held a large number of juveniles and that the fish were caught after the official closure of the season and exceeded the quota. Referring to reports about the injured fishermen, the captain said no one was injured by his crew's actions.
"We saw one man dive into the water from the side of the cage. We saw him get up and give us the rude Italian arm signal. We had another fisherman slash at the crew with a hook on the end of a long pole and we had one of the vessels ram us in the port stern area," he said.
MALTESE FEDERATION SAYS ATTACK WAS VICIOUS AND UNPROVOKED
The Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers said it was shocked to hear about two Maltese seamen were injured in "a vicious and unprovoked attack by the Sea Shepherds".
"At around 15.00 today the Steve Irwin attacked an Italian tug boat (Cesare Rustico) towing cages belonging to fish & Fish Limited. The tug was sailing in company with the Maltese flagged Rosaria Tuna as a support vessel. The fish had been caught legally by a number of purse seiners operating according to ICCAT regulations, and subsequently purchased by the Maltese farming company. Contrary to what has been stated by the Sea Shepherds the vessel Tagreft was not present," the federation said.
"The Steve Irwin approached the convoy with the intention of freeing the fish in the cages despite it being clear that the fish was caught legally. Though it was also obvious that the crew of the vessels would have resisted such a move it was an unequal struggle. The Steve Irwin was initially constructed as an offshore patrol vessel for the United Kingdom with a displacement of nearly 900grt. It is equipped with a helicopter and instruments designed to overpower fishing boats. On the other hand the tug and the support vessel are small boats each having a displacement of around 150 grt."
The federation said it was not true that those on the Steve Irwin acted in self defence.
"On the contrary those on board assailed the two vessels specifically to tear the cage and ruin the catch. They used rubber bullets to subdue the crew. They threw bottles, acid, ammonia and other stuff at the crew. They didn’t care that their actions were exposing people to danger. They didn’t care that the fish were caught legally. They in fact think they are above the law and can do as they like. They are more than irresponsible. They are armed, dangerous and bent on causing harm to private property."
The federation said it expected the intervention of the Maltese authorities. "Nobody has the right to take the law in his hands. This is a fundamental precept of our way of life and it is certainly not going to be unlawful threats and activities by so-called environmental activists that is going to change it."
PL STATEMENT
In a statement, the Labour Party condemned the attack on Maltese fishermen and expressed solidarity with the victims.
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Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Jun 20th 2010, 22:12
Well done captain Watson and your mates, and victory for the 800 or so tuna which were freed. Keep up the good work. The earth and the animals need brave people like you.
Ivan Portanier
Jun 20th 2010, 11:39
Mr. Raymond Sammut you are posting hundreds of meaningless comments
You have no idea how the Tuna Farms operate and even less an idea how the Tuna Fishermen operate and no idea at all how ICCAT operates therefore all that is coming out of your keyboard is gibberish. If you want to learn something how these industries operate tune in to Radio Malta 93.7FM this coming Tuesday morning around 9.45am.
n. maclang
Jun 20th 2010, 08:34
well done sea shepherd. for sure, violators will not admit to committing these infractions, and they in fact tend to be very aggressive in their attitudes to defend their actions.
Christopher Grainger
Jun 20th 2010, 07:46
A vote to support the banning of seine netting entire shoals thereby removing the opportunity for the species to replenish, and a return to traditional, sustainable methods of catching Tuna has to be the way ahead.
The industrial fishing of the species by a few big money players removes the potential benefit to the local fishing industry.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jun 20th 2010, 00:30
@AlbertBezzina
What I suggest is that instead of making stupid suggestions about a delegation of blue fin tuna to the U.N. the problem should be left in the hands of experts to control harvesting of the fish in a sustainable way that conserves the species. The problem is too serious to be left in the hands of exhibitionist publicity seekers and their piratical life-endangering criminal escapades.
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 19th 2010, 13:38
Even Greenpeace want to keep their distance from the Sea Shepherd: just shows what utter delinquents these extremists are. No wonder the Japs decided to destroy their multi-million dollar space-age craft in the southern seas.
albert leone ganado
Jun 19th 2010, 13:07
Conservationists often act in violent way which should be unreservedly condemned. Unfortunately however proper control of legality in the highly lucractive tuna penning business leaves a lot to be desired.
In strictly regulated sea based businesses such as the american crab industry if you do not make it to port within the stipulated deadline you have to empty your hold of the catch.
I trust that to truly protect the tuna endangered species and to dispel any suspicions and ensure transparent proof of legality our government will not allow any more tuna pens to be towed in our waters once almost a week has passed from the closure of the tuna season.
We have already left a very sour taste in european endangered species protection circles by being the only country to oppose a tuna fishing moratorium.
joe gravina
Jun 19th 2010, 11:33
Libyans, Spanish, Italian, Maltese fishermen are apparently on very good working relations. They work very efficiently and flexibly across the different countries' Exclusive Economic Zones (although some are caught out and accompanied to the different states' harbours and ports for the flashes of tv and newspaper photographers). Libyan claims on their EEZ (whatever the law says) were, of course, not so forthcoming on oil exploration some 30 years back.
The solid working relations amongst fishing businesses, unfortunately, mean that EU quotas are difficult, if not impossible to impose. And what about the Japanese? Why fight it out amongst people who all want fishing stocks to survive whilst the Japanese make money off the backs of others's hard work? If fishermen disagree about the stock survival danger, they have to make their case clearer - otherwise it becomes a suicidal case in terms of their future work.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 19th 2010, 13:51
ICCAT have solid proofs that EU quotas have not been complied with in the Mediterranean Sea over the past 15 years at least. EU countries, however, have not taken any action. The public cannot simply remain passive and watch the species disappear. At current rates of tuna takes from the water (to pen, fatten and transport to Japan), soon there will be no tuna left to put on the Maltese table. It appears that this is already the case with swordfish, for example. How easy is it to buy swordfish in Malta nowadays? When I was a small boy, there was freshly caught swordfish to buy from hawkers on the streets. Mediterranean fish-stocks belong to Mediterranean people first. Any inter-regional fish commerce has to be strictly regulated by the EU in the future and in a sustainable manner. That's what this issue is all about. Piracy is being committed by mega firms exerting lobby pressure on governments. Fish-stocks are a natural resource that belong to all the people in the region. No one has the right to take from these stocks without strict regulations, no matter how much money business concerns like to invest. This theft has got to stop.
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 19th 2010, 10:38
@ Raymond Sammut
Yes continue spinning and telling tales; Captain Reuben Lanfranco has already burst this silly bubble of yours. Whatever you write needs to be taken with more than the proverbial pinch of salt as you have little credibility.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 19th 2010, 12:45
"Bubble" is in your head, Mr Farrugia.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 19th 2010, 05:03
"A Sea Shepherd picture shows the Steve Irwin ramming a tuna cage."(The Times Photo)
This statement by The Times is clearly inaccurate. Ramming occurs as a result of a deliberate movement from one vessel making contact with another vessel.
The turbulence in the water seems to indicate that the fishing vessel swung round to move towards the Steve Irwin; ramming the latter on the port side, astern end of the Steve Irwin. If that is the case, that would constitute a violation of Maritime Law by the skipper of the fishing boat because the action poses a threat to life at sea.
The smaller boat with less water displacement must make way for the larger boat which requires more engine force to maneuver. Gonzi is a Doctor of Laws, so one would expect that the Maltese Prime Minister knows what's really going on so far as the law is concerned. If anyone here wants to accuse capt. Watson of breaking maritime law, I would rather wait until Gonzi says so. He is the Doctor.
Edward James
Jun 18th 2010, 20:49
@Andrew Farrugia "get over it mate they have had that reputation since the Brent Spar debacle"
SBeing accused of lying by Tory politician John Selwyn-Gummer, doesn't constitute a reputation for lying. Thanks for the laugh though! :-)
martin saliba
Jun 18th 2010, 20:10
How can one believe this terrorist when he has been caught lieng with video as proof ? Our goverment should protect our fishermen and issue an international arrest warrant and prosecute the to the full extent
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 19:52
@ Raymond Sammut It is futile for you to list your specially selected references; exonerated my foot, depends which scientists you are willing to consider. Everybody knows that certain eminent researchers with inconfutable data have been sidelined because of the prevalent politics of extreme environmentalism, so do not make me laugh. @ Edward James "they don't have a reputation for lying"; get over it mate they have had that reputation since the Brent Spar debacle.
Edward James
Jun 18th 2010, 19:33
Both Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd have been doing their work for a very long time. They don't have reputations for lying, they don't leave anything to chance and everything they do is extremely well documented. In addition to their helicopters and video cameras, they have teams of sharp lawyers. And they rarely lose. Oh... and the kinds of people who fund them by the hundreds of thousands, are the kinds of people who book holidays in Malta. Government ministers and those in the tourism industry might want to bear that in mind.
C.Busuttil
Jun 20th 2010, 00:35
Are you trying to threaten us through tourism because rest assured that we will survive we have always survived in our history against all odds, We have survived Hitler and Mussolini, we shall survive Greenpeace and their likes. We shall not be blackmailed by fanatical enviromentalist. besides I will never believe that the decline in bluefin tuna is due to Maltese fishermen. Don't make me laugh, the number of tuna fished by the maltese is hardly of any concern therefore the Maltese can continue to fish without any impositions.
Foreigners should stop telling us what to do as the colonial days are over, they have used us for ages when it was convenient, unlike them we maltese have never harmed anyone nor have we attacked, murdered and conquered any other nation, we have always been a peaceful country. Therefore shut up
Franco Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 19:13
Of course, both parties are now condemning Greenpeace. No party condemned the fishermen for seriously injuring a Greenpeace activist! It shows what both Maltese political parties are best at doing: BEING EXPEDIENT IN POLITICS AND SIDING WITH WHOEVER GETS THEM MOST VOTES.
Chris Finch
Jun 18th 2010, 18:34
Everyone seems so certain that the tuna ranchers were acting and fishing legally. Are you really so certain of this? Where did you get your information? From the Ranchers themselves, well, they are hardly likely to say, SeaShepherd released all the fish we caught illegally are they? Read SeaShepherd's account. One of the Seiners claimed to have caught the fish on the 14th was not fishing on that day. Get over this - We have to stand by these ranchers because they are Maltese - attitude. Do you think the handful of people getting rich off this trade care anything about Malta, other than the fact that they can flout laws and regulations with impunity? Do you think they will be helping the Maltese fishermens' families when all the fish are gone in 5 years time? True Maltese patriots should be supporting SeaShepherd, because it is them who are protecting our traditional fishing industry and our seas, so indirectly our tourism industry. After all, who wants to swim in a sea full of jellyfish?
Raymond Sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 17:37
@ Andrew Farrugia --"Ask those experts in Britain who were caught red handed manipulating the data for the UN regarding climate change." What "experts"? What "red-handedness"? At the University of East Anglia, scientists had since been exonerated by an independent panel chaired by Lord Oxburgh. Please refer to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8618024.stm. Why are you trying to disparage scientists without using appropriate references, Mr Farrugia?
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 17:19
@ S Zammit Just as i have suspected for a very long time, quoting from SEVEN YEARS TO SAVE THE PLANET. What? Is this some new kind of prophecy similar to the ones many of you love to deride? No wonder that many consider certain environmental groups as extremists of the new age religion! And do not give me any balderdash about scientific evidence or what have; we all know how it works. Ask those experts in Britain who were caught red handed manipulating the data for the UN regarding climate change. SEVEN YEARS INDEED!
lgalea
Jun 18th 2010, 17:33
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627640.800-whats-wrong-with-the-sun.html?full=true Very interesting write-up or you can scroll down to The climate link
S.Zammit
Jun 19th 2010, 08:31
Thanks for replying Mr.Farrugia. All I want to say is that I quoted those sentences from that book because they had relevance to the article above. Although as you rightly pointed out that the book is mainly about CC, I don't know what your problem is? I stated the name of the book because thats from where I got the quote. Besides what is wrong with this quote?Did I say anything wrong?No...CC has nothing to do with this article so I wouldn't bother to comment about it.
If you think that it is OK to catch tuna just because its legal then go on lets catch tuna till there is no more left...
I only try to voice my opinion with regards to the environment, something that has no say.
S.Zammit
Jun 18th 2010, 16:50
A Very inspiring quote...if only we would ever learn...
''I think we all know now that we can't carry on the way we are doing. If we were bacteria in a Petri dish we would have committed auto-genocide by now; if we were any other mammal species, our unsustainable way of life would long ago have set us on the road to extinction. The big difference between Homo Sapiens and all other species, however, is that we have the means within us to address the problems we have caused, to tackle them, and to solve them. This is the reason why we have become so successful at the EXPENSE OF THE REST OF THE PLANET,why we are still here, and why our numbers are still climbing. Now, we face the greatest challenge of all, and one that is entirely of our own making. Can we overcome it in time? Can we be bothered to try-even for our children's sake?Only time will tell.''
Bill McGuire
Seven Years to Save the Planet
Ivan Portanier
Jun 18th 2010, 16:49
It is very clear that the Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace activists are pirates and terrorists and there is only one way to defend yourself against them if you do not have the full backing of the Armed Forces to arrest them. Arm yourself. This should not be illegal if you do it to protect yourself.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 17:17
How is it clear, Mr Portanier? If they are "pirates", then what are they looting? If they are "terrorists", how come EU navies and military aircraft have not converged on them yet? EU authorities haven't got a foot to stand on. They are corrupt to the bone. They do not have the guts to stop greedy business firms from disgorging the Med of Bluefin Tuna.
S. Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 18:47
Well said Mr. Sammut. The EU authorities are in cahoots with these fishermen. They create excuses on their behalf and dress their activities in a shroud of legality. There is NO will to stop the massacare and all the laws they so like quoting are just excuses. After all in 1939, it was illegal for Jews in Germany to own property or for Black Africans as recently as the 70's to aspire to anything the white population considered their sacred right.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jun 18th 2010, 16:15
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is setting itself up as the accuser, the judge and jury, and the executioner, all rolled into one, in this dispute between it and fishermen trying to earn a living for themselves and their families within the law. This is intolerable. If they fail to understand this peacefully then the law should intervene, pronto.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 17:06
The only species which is being executed is the bluefin tuna. It's not capt. Watson who is doing the execution. He's claiming to have freed 800 of the animals. Hard to see how he managed to count. The ones who are doing the real counting are the marine scientists at ICCAT. Here are some excerpts: "Information available showed that catches of bluefin tuna from the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean have been seriously under-reported from the mid-1990s until 2007. Lack of compliance with the TAC and underreporting of the catch undermines the conservation of the stock. An estimate made by the Committee in 2006 based on the number of vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea and their respective catch rates, indicated that the volume of catch taken in recent years likely significantly exceeded TAC levels..." "The Committee’s belief that significant underreporting was supported by examination of the information reported through various market data sources and which all led to the conclusion that the exports to the Japanese and US markets largely exceeded the reported catches." If Gonzi and Pullicino are falling back on people like you to be their mouthpiece, then they are surely on a losing wicket.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jun 18th 2010, 17:53
You miss my point completely. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Captain Paul Watson are not being accused of acting as "the accuser, the judge and jury, and the executioner of the blue fin tuna. Their intended victims are Maltese fishermen acting within the law to support themselves and their families. Neither Gonzi nor Pullicino are on speaking terms with me. They certainly do not fall back on me to be their mouthpiece on anything,
S. Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 18:48
Sur Saliba ... that is a sad albeit true but unfortunately necessary situation. When the authorities wash their hands ... someone else must do their dirty work. Three cheers for Greenpeace and Sea shepherd. Ppl get the donations going please
Dr Francis Saliba
Jun 18th 2010, 20:21
@SCammilleri
You are advocating the law of the jungle, might is right, and inexistent "right" to take the law into one's own hand whenever someone (in this case some "environmentalists") do not always have everything their own way. That way lies anarchy and the collapse of the rule of law in civilised society. Is that what you want?
Albert Bezzina
Jun 19th 2010, 14:28
Your are right about one thing Francis. 'Might is right' and might here is very much against the Blue Fin Tuna! Do you suggest that a committee made up of old and wise (if they still exist) Blue Fin Tuna sends an envoy BFT to swim to the UN headquarters and plead for its species not to be relentlessly exterminated? One characteristic of the human species is 'It cannot be trusted'. You honestly believe that previous 'self control' of fishing quotas can go on as before. If the western world could possibly carry out effective controls, the industry will simply shift into the costal waters of north Africa. Trade ban is the only way to allow the species (BFT) to recover while traditional fisherman can still carry on as usual. In the meantime all who have an interest in the current state of affairs, if they truly believe that there is no crisis in BFT population, can pledge not to ask for help and hand outs if the BFT population collapses.
r sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 16:00
Is that so, the Green Peace vessel wanted to have a peep at the tuna in the cage? The accompanying photo shows the ship’s bow half way through for a lasting impression!
Were the fishermen supposed to do sit back and let the wolf and all into the sheep’s pen? Then these peace activists threw over some rotten butter, which explains the ammonia smell reported by the fishing crew??? Making it all look so innocent! Who are these terrorist trying to fool?
Raymond Sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 15:37
Here's a staggering piece of information: "A single 220kg fish [bluefin tuna] can fetch $US160,000 at auction in Japan, which consumes 75% of all bluefin caught in the world, mainly as sushi and sashimi."(Source::www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/March-19-2010).
At a meeting in Doha, (CITES last March) a proposal to ban cross-border trade in the rapidly declining Atlantic bluefin tuna was rejected. There were 68 votes against the ban, 20 in favour (including US and EU) and 30 abstentions. Just before the meeting, Japan appears to have lobbied with a number of African nations, and Tunisia has lobbied with Arab League nations, to vote against the ban. Clearly, the beneficiaries of the ban are tuna-pen businesses in the Med (who lobby hard in their respective countries) and the Japanese markets. In the meantime, bluefin tuna stocks continue to endure chronic depletion.
It should be clear that Conservation groups have good reasons to protest. Enough to say that bluefin tuna has been fished for millennia, but scientific data now shows that between 1997-2007 stocks in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean declined by 60%. Obviously something is rotting. All we see is a tuna-pen here and a tuna-pen there, and nobody knows what's going on.
Anthony Formosa
Jun 18th 2010, 18:12
And the solution is.................. compensate these fishermen for their investment and everyone is happy.
Anthony Formosa
Jun 18th 2010, 14:32
The government is duty bound to protect his citizens, these activists should be held responsible for their actions. The same goes with any other activists like CABS that only come here to provoke, intimidate, and harass hunters and trappers. They are making a joke of our forefathers who fought for our islands, I've seen 70 / 80 year old trappers crawling in their land and CABS making fun of him. Government wake up before it's too late, these activists are not the law.
@ T.Grech Jiddispjacini hafna, u aktar ghal dawk li qed jipruvaw jiddefendu lil dawn il pirati, u nappella li s-sajjieda jinghaqdu kollha kontra dan l'indhil barrani u perikoluz ghal hajjet dawn il-haddiema
Edward Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 14:30
Prosit Greenpeace, you are doing what the authorities of various nations should be doing, i.e. protect the tuna from overfishing. the season was closed on June 9 for purse seiners, why all these tuna now? The EU stated on June 9 that "the allowable quotas had already been caught" - meaning that quota already exceeded, from when is this acceptable?
Carmelo Aquilina
Jun 18th 2010, 14:00
The overfishing of Mediterranean is well documented and continuing... this is a destructive industry threateneding the extinction of the species which is destroying livelihood of tradiitonal maltese fishermen to make a few companies very rich and keeping the Japanese market stocked... well done the Sea Shepherd !
Albert Bezzina
Jun 18th 2010, 13:59
We are such a fine species, deciding what we exploit and by how much. We stretch our arguments for exploitation orchestrated by economic gain. Never has mankind protected anything on mother Earth before risk of oblivion or extinction became clear. 'Controlled' fishing of BFT is 'legal' only because Japan exerted its economic influence on other voters. The defeat of the motion to stop BFT trade was bought by Japan's influence. The state of legality in BFT trade and fishing is subjective. People in power easily decree legality on various issues. In history, there are ample examples of State sponsored legalities which exterminated minorities, extermination of fellow human beings. Did such 'legal' activities merit support? It is disgusting enough that most of mankind looks at all other life forms on our planet as a resource and they are measured in tons. This is not an issue of food sustaining man. It is an economic issue based on the consumption of a food item because of culture and traditions. This sweet-tooth for BFT does not justify its depletion down by 80% from 30 years ago and still on the way down. Running down any species is comperable to genocide.
Joseph N Attard
Jun 18th 2010, 13:48
What bravery! What heroism! May I suggest to the Sea Sheperd Conservation Society that now that they have shown their absolute fearlessness to the world, they might like to go on to the next level? Attack an Israeli fishing boat, perhaps? We would all love to to see the aftermath, if there is anything left to see, that is. The Maltese authorities must come down with all their resources, legal and otherwise, on the side of the legitimate Maltese fishermen. Otherwise, the latter just might be tempted to take matters into their own capable hands.
Jon Vercellono
Jun 18th 2010, 14:18
Man, that's what they say that they'll do - it doesn't matter - its not some persecution against Maltese or a specific country; but against the Industry. BTW - having Pullicino at the Hospital when the 'injured' fishermen arrived should be a good indicator of where the agenda lies regarding BFT.
terrygrech
Jun 19th 2010, 01:24
ur saying that these are heroes??? if it was one of ur family members would you still congratulate them??? ohhhh goddd i just can't stand stupidity anymore!!! it's just insane... there is a quotation for the ammounts and the weight of the blue fin tuna that can be caught.. so our fishermen did nothing illegal.. they are just doing their job... i'm thinking your job is typing in a fully ac room.. these man stay away from their families for months so that they can have food to eat... when there were no limits on tuna it was wrong but now they can't cheat they have international observers so that they can approve the tuna... so i don't see how anything can be illegal... and after all i'd prefer saving a man rather then saving a fish..
priscilla edwards
Jun 18th 2010, 13:45
min qieghed jawqura lil tal greenpiece jider bic car li ma jafx xjigifiri meta ragel jkun qed jaghmel xi 60 jum il boghod mil familja biex jpoggilhom lghixin ta kuljum fuq il mejda. Nnghidilkom jekk ma tifmux titkemux, ghax tkunu qed taghmlu bhal papra ic cafcaf fl'ilma. Tghidu hekk ghax lil min weggaw u min kien hemm barra ma jigux minkhom.
Emanuel Cilia Debono
Jun 18th 2010, 13:33
The Sea Shepherds cannot be justified for acting outside the pale of law, If they think they have a supervisory role to follow they should apply for official recognition to the U.N or any appropriate international agency and abide by international rules.
The master of the Maltese vessel cannot be blamed for refusing them permission to board and the AFM is doing its duty when going to the aid of the Maltese crew .
D.Galea
Jun 18th 2010, 13:22
It's easy to support initiatives like Greenpeace unless it's your own laws they are breaking, let me remind you that so far whaling in Japan is legal as well, so you find that despicable?
S. Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 18:43
Yes ... it IS just as Despicable and yes again to any similar actions against Japanese whalers
David Caruana
Jun 18th 2010, 12:45
Thank you Capt. Watson, you our blessing to portect the Bluefin tuna... at all costs.
To the Maltese Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers :
Iz-zejt, ha jitla' f'wicc l-ilma ;-)
Paul Smith
Jun 18th 2010, 12:43
Well done to the captain. This isnt about ruining Maltese fisherman or commiting an act of piracy, the picture is a lot bigger than that, it's about making sure that there are some fish left in the sea 10 years from now for future generations and that the aqua eco-system continues to function. We are already seeing dead zones and an abundance of jelly fish in the Med due to over fishing. This is causing plankton blooms as the plankton feed of nitrates running off land into the sea and the plankton are not being eaten due to a lack of aqua marine life. The plankton die a natural death and rot eating up oxygen creating deadzones which causes more die off's of species.
Man really is dumber than yeast.
Ivan Portanier
Jun 18th 2010, 12:42
It is surprising how the GWU the GRTU the Chamber of Commerce and other constituted bodies that represent workers, small businesses, employers and exporters have not issued any statements condemming the criminal actions which were carried out by Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd on their members, or are they in favour of how these pirates are treating our citizens. And why this silence from the PL, considering that those employees at sea towing those tuna cages are in their majority voters or potential voters of the PL.
Jon Vercellono
Jun 18th 2010, 14:21
It has nothing to do with small business - but with big business - specifically big capital. Perhaps the organisations which you mention in your response are against illegal fishing?
Ian Fenech
Jun 18th 2010, 12:41
One only has to look as far as the Awrat that are fish-farmed in Malta.
For the first time in history fish in Malta have Cholesterol.
Makes a lot of sense to keep fish-farming
Ian Fenech
Jun 18th 2010, 12:39
Well I will never understand these fishmen. It is obvious the stocks of fish in the mediterranean are almost finished. Some specualte than with 5 years the blu fin tuna will have disappeared ( just like the great whits sharks). And then what? What will they fish?
They claim that this is the livelyhood. Ok then so you make money for the next 5 years and them what will they do?
On the other hansd the sea needs about 5 years of no fishing to replenish itself. So you wait 5 years and then you can fish as much as you want.
I know the Japaenese offer so much money its difficult to say no, but we have to be realistic.
Fish now no fish later. No fisdhing now lots of fish later.
It is really a no brainer.
The probloem is these tuna that are kept in pens to be fattened cannot reproduce, apart from all the environmental damage they cause to the sea bed ( twith their excrement). To make matters worse fish in the cages are fed corn feed ( just like cattle). When was the last time somebody heard that fish ate corn?????
G Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 12:34
Being Maltese, I have no problem to figer out who is in the wrong. We are an arrogent nation!
I have left my donation at : http://www.seashepherd.org/support-us/
Thank you Sea Shepard and Green Peace
T. grech
Jun 18th 2010, 12:28
x qed tghidu proset lil dan il "KAPTAN"... tafu li go dawk il gaggeg ikun hemm nies bhalkom jicekjaw it tonn.. tafu li jekk ikun hemm xi hadd hemm gew joqtluh?? qed tigennu qed tghidu li tal greenpeace jaghmlu sew?? kulhadd ghandu dritt ghl opinjoni tieghu imma mhux hekk!!! twegga lin nies u tivandalizza il propjeta taghhom.. hemm ir ragel tieghei hemm barra u hemm huh fuq ir rosaria tuna it tnejn gew attakati!!!! taf x biz ghandhom fuqhom!! dawn nies imgienen u pirati.. minn jaqbel li jsir hekk lis sajjieda maltin huwa mignun daqshom... ghandi tifel ta 5 xhur nibda nghid dan se jerga jarah il missieru!! li nitfa rasi fuq l imhadda u ma nafx x qed isir minnhom... is sajjieda ghandhom in niesa taghhom u ommijiethom.. ghiduli ikunu xi 100 mil il barra u tisma l ahbarijiet li gew attakati.. x se taghmel iccempel??? din hija kollha skuza tal greenpeace ghax li qed jaghmlu azzjoniejiet hziena... wara kollox il qabda tat tonn taghhom kienet legali.. meta cempili qalli li ghamlu il qabda tat tonn kien ghadu miftuh is season!!! din hi SKUZA nerga nghid biex ikissru il min irid jaqla lira u lil familjari taghhom!!
James Scerri
Jun 18th 2010, 11:41
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT...
BUT WHEN VISITING THEIR SITE...(http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100617-1.html), FROM THE LOGO...IT SEEMS THESE ARE PIRATES!
:)
FROM THE BEHAVIOR....THEY ARE PIRATES..
FIRST DO YOUR CHECKING THEN COLLABORATE WITH POLICE...NO VIOLENCE IS ACCEPTED IN ANY CASE!!
Priscilla Edwards
Jun 18th 2010, 15:48
I recomend more education for you. The tuna needs to be protected at ALL COSTS.
M. Grech
Jun 18th 2010, 11:36
Because of these persieners the maltese traditional fishermen are taking the brunt of the fishing restriction, because long line traditional fishing never casues the level of damage done ny pursieners and is sustainable. If all fisherman in Malta and gozo put together catch the 800 tuna in just one penn in one season they would be very happy indeed. Now after two or three fishing trips most traditional fishermen reached their quota and had to stay in harbour. How's that Onorevoli Pullicino for our traditional fishermen.
E.Vella
Jun 18th 2010, 12:07
I agree with you 100%
Unfortunately now a days fish farms are given more attention & importance than traditional fishing!!!
We shall protect traditional fishing as this forms part of our culture.
S Vella
Jun 18th 2010, 11:18
We shurely don't need any Captain Watson..he is a DISGRACE to the maritme industry and a BIGGER DISGRACE TO THE TITLE OF CAPTAIN... Shame on all who are supporting this PIRACY on our fellow nationals who are earning their daily bread LEGALLY. I the so called Capt Watson wants to be a hero and show the world how powerful he is, he can go and fight his fellow pirates near Somalia and the South China Sea like our brave soldiers are doing
Raymond Sammut
Jun 18th 2010, 13:39
Capt. Paul Watson is not a "powerful" man. He could end up being apprehended by the authorities and taken to court, just like capt. Pete Bethune in Tokyo presently.
These are very passionate individuals dedicated to help preserving marine species under threat from mega businesses which are profiting in a very big way from insatiable markets in Japan and the US.
All that capt. Watson is doing is offering his maritime skills to man a protest ship. Protesting is not piracy. It's true that things do get out of hand at times. But everyone acknowledges that the cause of defending whale species in the Pacific and restoring depleting fish stocks in heavily fished Mediterranean are just causes. I do not know of any government who is putting a bounty on capt. Watson, let alone a court judge who would want to put capt. Watson behind bars. In this case, for example, if it wasn't for Sea Shepherd and for Greenpeace activists, we would have kept believing Gonzi and his Southern EU friends that all is OK with Tuna in the Med. It's business as usual for them, and no one really knows where the millions are going.
Antonio Anastasi
Jun 18th 2010, 11:15
From Sea Shepherd's BLUE RAGE DIARY, diarys.
I am sure we will all have our own interpretations, but I would suggest that
a) We wait for the results of an unbaised investigation into the matter.
b) That the government also explain why they did not condemn the incident with GreenPeace when an Activist was injured.
c)Did I miss the Time's interview with Mr. Pulicino when the the Greenpeace activist was injured?
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100617-1.html
J. Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 10:57
We surely need more Captain Watsons.......well done.
As for the Federation of Maltese AcquaCULTURE (sic) Producers...i.e. Fish Farm pollutors...
they surely do not represent the traditional Maltese fishermen!
Anthony Formosa
Jun 18th 2010, 12:46
J.Borg. why don't start to free cows, pigs, chickens, and all the animals that we consume, instead of bla bla bla to be as a hero as Mr Watson. Why don't you go and disturb / obstruct the hunters when they are practicing their legitimate sports? to be a hero as Mr Watson.
john micallef
Jun 18th 2010, 10:12
i wonder where our new fleet of patrol boats where. obviously one was patrolling malta and all the others berthed at sa maison.
i will not get into the merit of who is at fault and who isn't in this issue but the actions by the sea shepard are barbaric and as already said resemble actions by somali pirates. what the sea shepard could have done is to tail the 2 vessels involved in the towing operation until some sort of authority showed up on the alleged area of contravention. it is then that the sea shepard would know if the catch was legal or not.
if everyone does like the sea shepard has done, then there would be no need forpolice forces as everyone would 'take the law in his hands'.
in my opinion, the sea shepard and its crew are criminal and should face criminal proceedings.
Antonio Anastas
Jun 18th 2010, 12:03
Thank God you did not want to get into the merits of who is at fault or who isn't.
Dr John Damai
Jun 18th 2010, 09:21
Well done Captain Paul Watson. You have our support.
M.Caruana
Jun 18th 2010, 12:29
Dr John Damai - who are you referring to us? certainly not the maltese. yoru surname is not maltese also so you dont have a say in this if you are not maltese. Authorities please bring the attempted killers and charge them with attempted manslaughter , stolen goods worth thousands and damage to private property. These self appointed lobbyists properly hired by bigger fisherman to bully smaller ones need to learn a lesson.
Dr John Damai
Jun 18th 2010, 15:53
M. Caruana, jien Malti iktar minnek.
S. Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 18:42
Dear M.Caruana,... it truly IS a case of stolen property. Only its is MY and YOUR property that is being stolen piece by piece with each tuna that these so called fishermen steal from our seas for THEIR own benefit. So yes, it is our right to defend our property with whatever means necessary, especially when our Government and EU have abdicated the right to control this illegal slaughter.
Chris Finch
Jun 18th 2010, 09:20
May I ask all those who are condemning Sea Shepherds actions where they think the TRADITIONAL Maltese fishermen will be in 5 years time when there are no tuna loft in the Med?
These fish ranchers take juvenile fish, fatten them up and kill them before they breed. Ask yourselves, why the price of Tuna is going up in our fish shops, why catches are getting smaller and why we are having explosions of jellyfish?
These ranchers only care about making a quick buck. They care nothing for the state of the sea, nothing for the lives of their crews and nothing for the Maltese fishing industry. They have even stopped using the term 'fishing' and now use aquaculture.
The Maltese fishermen should welcome SeaShepherd, as it is they who care about the future of the fish stocks, not these environmental rapists or the Japanese businessmen.
Leo Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 09:18
These are not fishermen, they are poachers. They deserve the worse and should be happy that they only got a stink job. Thugs. Keep up the good work Captain Paul Watson.
Paul Mangion
Jun 18th 2010, 09:13
My hats off to you Captain Paul Watson, and May you receive all the support for your cause.
karl cremona
Jun 18th 2010, 09:10
jien ma nistax nifhem kif numru ta maltin jaqblu ma l atti li qed jamlu dawn l pirati? jekk kollox legali, trid tkun iblah bix taqbel ma xi hadd li qed iwaqqaf daqshekk negozju l pajjizek!!
Jason Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 09:29
U trid tkun iblah iktar li tibqa` tistad sakemm teqred dil-huta.
S Vella
Jun 18th 2010, 08:51
I would like to ask Paul Watson the Pirate Captain to dare and do such operations in Maltese waters or in our harbours..I guarantee you...ALL MALTA WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU...we will give you a good run for your principles
Jason Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 09:28
Who gave you the authority to issue threats on behalf of the Maltese nation? I
Peter Paul Mizzi
Jun 18th 2010, 16:01
Captain Paul Watson, If you ever come to Malta we will welcome you with open arms. Keep up the good work.
Peter Spiteri
Jun 18th 2010, 16:07
S. Vella, min qabdek titkellem f'isem il-Maltin Kollha?
K Vella
Jun 18th 2010, 08:50
What steps will be taken against these 'enviormentalists'?
In a civilised world no one can take justice in his own hands.
This could have much more serious implications and when reading this article, the measures adopted are of criminal nature and piracy. Immediate action needs to be taken.
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 08:45
Captain Paul Watson: "Sometimes it is necessary to do what needs to be done despite the risks". Now if future situations turn really ugly do not go complaining to some useless authority or governing body. You have made it clear that you are not much concerned about risks to people's lives.
Jason Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 08:38
It would be interesting to know how many of those opposing SeaShepherd's actions have shead a tear for the poor little fish when they watched Finding Nemo.
D.Cesare
Jun 18th 2010, 08:35
GonziPN urina l-par idejn sodi please issa. X'ser isir biex nipprotegu s-sajjieda taghna?
Alex Galea
Jun 18th 2010, 08:30
Why don't they go to FRANCE or BELGIUM and attack the European Commission for its MONTHLY SHUTTLE between Belgium and Strasbourg? Don't they have anything better than assaulting fishermen? Seriously. I hope that an example is made of them with a monumental lawsuit in the law courts... that is, if something is still working as it should in this country.
Why do we spend millions on new large patrol boats? Just to pander to illegals requesting a free lift to Malta? Nothing works on Malta. Where is Gonzi???!!!
d. borg
Jun 18th 2010, 08:25
These so called conservationists are similar to the Somali pirates. They are always placing human life at risk and playing the law makers on the open seas. Do these people have any legal right to stop and even board ships checking this and that? If not they should be arraigned for piracy and sued for the loss of fish.
Neil Sant
Jun 18th 2010, 08:14
Excellent work by Sea Shepherd. Keep it up!
Demis Paul Scerri
Jun 18th 2010, 08:06
As per the captains' words: 800 tuna which, he claimed, were LIKELY to have been caught after the season was closed. This means that he is assuming that they were caught after the end of season. In my opinion, the fishermen can sue for the damages to this stupid captain. I am all in favour for the protection of endangered species, but ONLY when this is done in line with the laws.
Jason Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 08:54
...or better still, if ONLY it does not touch my wallet.
leonardo vince
Jun 18th 2010, 08:04
The Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers is nothing but a business concern.....and being Maltese, its outlook does not go further than its nose.
Its members should be prosecuted if fishing illegally and/or trying to harm environmentalists.
J Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 08:28
They were fishing LEGALLY, or dont you make any difference from the word ILLEGAL and LEGAL. It was these ecoterrorists who were on the wrong side of the law.
Ivan Portanier
Jun 18th 2010, 10:40
For your information and others of your ilke. The members of the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture do not fish for Tuna or any other fish. Its members buy the fish 'live' from fishing organisations or co-operatives of other countries using their respective countries quotas. These are even paid for in advance, so if the Tuna is set free the damage is only made to the Maltese economy and livelihoods of the farm's employees. Before you comment you should do some homework to make sure you get your facts and reasoning right. And that goes for the majority of all those supporting these criminal activists. And by the way all those Maltese who make donations to Greenpeace and Sea Shephers are criminals as well as they are accomplices to the criminal acts committed.
Doris Mifsud
Jun 18th 2010, 08:02
What the conservationists have done is ILLEGAL! They have no right to take the law into their hands, more so as the fishermen were fishing LEGALLY!
martin chetcuti
Jun 18th 2010, 08:00
On a lighter note I must say that now that summer is with us and the Maltese will flock to the beaches with them a good supply of "Hobz bi TONN ta'zejt is a must" so dear activists please excuse us for this need.
Julian Esposito
Jun 18th 2010, 07:49
Although I am all for sustainable fishing, this piracy is not acceptable. I think Paul Watson has no credibility whatsoever and seems to sensationalise every situation possible for his aims. I would arrest him an charge him in court like anybody else. If needs be, the "MV Steve Irwin" be auctioned to make good for the economic losses incurred by the victims involved. This is always as long as the fishing has been done legally.
Darren Vella
Jun 18th 2010, 07:42
And the fishing goes on, when will man stop killing everything? when everything thing is gone until his own right to live will vanish! He will never stop
Ray Sultana
Jun 18th 2010, 09:05
Don't worry. Plenty of jellyfish species are thriving in our beautiful sea.
c. hansel
Jun 18th 2010, 07:39
well done Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the Maltese Tuna farms should get their livestock from the Australians, they are able to reproduce Tuna without having to catch fish from the wild population.
Keep up the good work! Only very few benefit from this fishing behaviour and get stinking rich. Small fisherman have no chance against those trawlers....
c spiteri
Jun 18th 2010, 07:37
gabitna sew l-ewropa. konna nidhqu bih l-ewwel wiehed jien b/ alfred sant kemm kellu ragun li europa mhux tajba ghall malta l-ewwel intlejna bil l-imigranti illegali u issa ma tistax tistad.
lgalea
Jun 18th 2010, 07:55
c spiteri Għandek raġun sieħbio. L-unika triq hija li nitilqu mill-misħuta ue kif qalu dejjem tas-CNI u dan nistgħunagħmluh meta rridu għax għandna kull dritt, jedd u setgħa li nagħmluh u ħadd u xejn ma jista' jżommna.
j.spiteri
Jun 18th 2010, 07:06
Condemnations, condemnations, condemnations. We grow fat on condemnations! Still these thugs roam our seas free. I hope these international criminals get what they deserve. And GonziPN, for once show some spine. You are usually a bully and very nasty with us John the Citizen! Maltese workers are getting physically hurt now! Thank our lucky stars we are not mourning anyone today.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jun 18th 2010, 06:48
By all accounts this is only piracy on the high seas. Conservationists, no matter how well meaning, have no right to take the law into their own hands and endanger their own lives and the lives of fishermen earning a living by operating within the law.
S. Camilleri
Jun 18th 2010, 18:39
Either that or these fisherman will continue with impunity to rob and destroy OUR natural heritage. Well done Sea Shepherd.
joe muscat
Jun 18th 2010, 06:43
Authorities please note, if this tuna was caught legally the captain of Steve Irwin admitted that they freed 800 tuna, these they cost a lot for the fishermen and for our industry, hope action will be taken as soon as possible, we are waiting .....
A. Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 06:30
To all those who would like to support us.
http://www.seashepherd.org/support-us/
Together, we will succeed.
J Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 08:30
Yes man, there is a nice cage ready for you when and IF you make anchor in Malta. This cage is ready and waiting in Kordin Civil Prisons, where your mates will spend some time at the Maltese citizens' expense, but still you'll remain BEHIND BARS. And one of these days you're going to get really hurt.
A. Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 18:30
You should be doing the same my friend. Together we can reverse the extinction of these species.
A. Borg
Jun 18th 2010, 06:23
Well done for saving the lives of 800 tuna, This encourage me to keep on sending you donations for your right cause.
L Debono
Jun 18th 2010, 00:58
The facts are distorted - > they did that and the others did this...bla bla bla.....The bottom line is that, if this doesn't call for enforcement and surveillance on the high seas I don't know what would. We're talking about possible illegal fishing, assaults, damage of private property, illegal maneuvering of ships and trespassing.
Who are the appointed wardens of the fisheries department? Why aren't they monitoring the harvest? How can any one agree or deny when the fish were caught when there is no monitoring? Why aren't spotter planes of the AFM monitoring the territorial waters? A number of illegal activities could be taking place if the territories are not patrolled regularly - illegal dumping, trafficking, etc. I presently see that the Government only takes reactive measures, when the current situations clearly call for preventative measures. We’re talking about the safeguard of the national territories, defending local business and knowing what is going on in your back yard.
M.Brincat
Jun 18th 2010, 00:41
Well done. Keep freeing.
J Farrugia
Jun 18th 2010, 08:31
well done! Keep breaking our laws until the time when someone will put you in your proper place,. In Kordin Civil prisons, where eco terrorists belong.