Local anglers have benefitted greatly from all the measures that have been introduced by this Government under the Marine Regulations, something which the GSD clearly finds hard to stomach.  Benefits have included the obliteration of the crowds of non-resident anglers taking up every inch of our shoreline, a drop in non-resident spear fishing, and the increase in fish numbers, which even Trevor Hammond acknowledges in his release. Add to this the creation of reefs such as at Sandy Bay and the introduction of marine protected areas, and no one can deny that the state of our marine life is better than it has been for years.

Trevor Hammond has got other facts wrong too.   The closed season on the fishing of octopus was introduced following the recommendations of the Fishing Working Group, on which all major fishing organisations are represented, and following technical advice, as a way of improving stocks.  Indeed the Working Group has recommended closed seasons on a number of other species. This is a method recognised worldwide as a means to enhance fish populations. Tuna fishing is also allowed, with a quota system. For the first time such fishing is regulated accurately which is important in maintaining Gibraltar’s reputation.

It is downright untrue to suggest that laws target locals over and above non-residents. No locals have so far been prosecuted under the regulations while non-resident commercial, spear and tuna fishermen have all been processed in recent years.

It is also a fact that the number of Spanish commercial fishing vessels that fish illegally in Gibraltar waters is well down on what it was in the past. While law enforcement is under the control of the RGP, Government will continue to use its own resources to reduce the impact of unsustainable fishing methods. This has been done with more success than ever, and will continue.

It is all in sharp contrast to the policy of Mr Hammond’s own GSD, which had an illegal fishing agreement with Spain which directed the Police to ignore our laws. The GSD’s fishing agreement opened the doors wide to Spanish fishing boats who far exceeded the numbers and abused the minimum distance. Commercial fishing THEN was with impunity and there were very many more incursions and much more depletion of fish than there is now. The GSD’s illegal agreement with Spain undid the success of the 1991 Nature Protection Act and is responsible for Spanish fishermen feeling entitled to fish in BGTW.

Minister for Environment John Cortes said, “In these days when the whole world is aware of the importance of protecting our oceans, we are truly proud of what we have achieved to bring much order to what used to be an embarrassing free-for-all. Bona fide Gibraltarian anglers see and recognise the improvement and fully support our efforts, and we will continue to do more to ensure there is abundant marine biodiversity and abundant fish for those who enjoy angling.”