A trammel net stuck on a wreck in a marine protected area has sparked calls to update archaic regulations on their use dating back to the mid-1930s.
While several amendments to the law were made, rules on the nets (pariti) have never been updated.
Divers conducted an extensive effort to raise a trammel net stuck on a popular wreck in St Paul’s Bay last week. It was not an isolated case.
They have been warning of the dangers the nets pose to locals, tourists and the marine environment for years.
Even anglers are taking a stand against the nets, setting up a Facebook group where pictures are regularly posted showing problems caused by their use.
Group members who spoke to Times of Malta said the law (S.L. 425.01) needed revising because the sea around the coast, once rich with life, has been turned into “a Sahara”.
Indiscriminate entrapment of fish also means certain species of high value for divers are killed needlessly
There is no restriction on how close to shore fishermen can cast trammel nets, which are usually used in internal waters along the coast where depth varies from 10 to 30 metres.
Fishermen are allowed to cast them close because in the past most trammel nets were hauled up by hand, but today winches are used.
Marine biologist Alan Deidun said the nets interfere with fish reproduction.
“As the sea gets warmer, many fish species seek shallower waters to spawn.
“But when the nets are cast just at the rim of permitted areas, the fish swimming towards their spawning grounds instead head right into the net.”
He said the indiscriminate entrapment of fish also meant certain species that had high value for divers and snorkelers, like the colourful coastal species peacock wrasse, were killed needlessly because they were not eaten and therefore had no commercial value for fishermen.
Trammel nets consist of three walls of netting sitting on the seabed. They are approximately two metres high and about 120 metres long.
The only restriction in fishery regulations is that they cannot be deployed at sea from February 15 to July 15, inside the line between stone pillars in certain bays.
In the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett harbour their use is prohibited beyond the pillars at all times.
Separate legislation then protects all wrecks for a radius of 200 metres from use of nets and all other fishing gear.
Wrecks attract divers because they act as an artificial reef, drawing in different species of fish.
They are very popular with tourists and locals alike, but are also a magnet for commercial fishermen.
Matthew Montebello, the diver who took on the task of bringing up the net hooked on the MV Imperial Eagle wreck just off Ta’ Fra Ben in St Paul’s Bay, said their use posed a great risk.
“Trammel nets pose a great risk to divers, and enact a cycle of death for different fish species,” Prof. Montebello said.
Times of Malta is informed a group of fishing enthusiasts held a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries Roderick Galdes, but the ministry would not confirm or deny the information.
Answering questions on what action was being taken to address these concerns, a spokeswoman replied: “Any sighting should be immediately reported to the control room of the fisheries and aqua-culture department.”
Questions on law enforcement issues sent to the Home Affairs Ministry remained unanswered by the time of going to print.