24
M. C. Mifsud
4.1.2 Blaming Game—Need to Build Bridges
The majority of the stakeholders attributed the reduction in fish to other users. Most
stakeholders either put the onus on recreational fishermen and on spear diving.
So we have created a desert by fishermen and you are worried about the little corals on the
cave that can be effected by air bubbles.
(Dive Centre 1)
There is enforcement for the Fishermen but no one talks about the frogman – they capture a
lot of fish. There are many zones in which we cannot fish why only us.
(Professional Fishermen Association 1)
The marine environment has now turned to the worst – There are divers that go down at night
for groupers on wrecks and at night and it is illegal. Therefore, the top predators have been
reduced. Caves have been denuded from the presence of Sertella due to the bubbles from
the divers. We put underwater signs but they were removed after three days. Dive centres do
talk about conservation etc. but when it hits them financially, they ignore these regulations.
(Diving Club 2)
Nonetheless, a number of diving centres did single out spearfishing as one of the
main threats to the sustainability of the sea, while other diving centres mentioned both
recreational and commercial fishing as the main activities to blame for the current
situation in the sea. An NGO did not make a difference between recreational and
commercial fishing and just mentioned that the important principle is sustainability.
This is San Lawrenz (shows pics)-look at the nets, no fish. At Crocodile rock we are diving
and they are throwing the nets. The main problem are the recreational Fishermen not the
professional as they do not follow any rules.
(Diving Centre 2)
Coastal fishing is going to go down – I agree that it should be restricted. In the sense that
an S or an MFC – but with proper regulations. The professional Fishermen has to compete
with these and this is unfair competition as they do not pay tax. What about a bag limit for
the recreational Fishermen? And they sell at a reduced price. Recreational fishing as it is
harming us a lot. How can you be recreational if you catch 80 kg of pixxi San Pietru. There
should be a lot of control on them.
(Professional Fishermen Association 1)
4.1.3 Enforcement and Livelihoods
Most stakeholders were extremely critical of the current levels of enforcement in the
MPAs. This fact alone attaches a very negative perception of MPAs in the stakeholders
and it is one of the major reasons why ten stakeholders did not want to comment on
the impact the proposed MPAs could have on their livelihoods. Some stakeholders
mentioned that the rules are not well known to most of them.
There is no enforcement at all for the existing MPAs. There are no rules. If there are rules
we would know about them. The rules are not defined as they cannot enforce them. The rules
have to be crystal clear and enforced.
(NGO 1)
M. C. Mifsud
4.1.2 Blaming Game—Need to Build Bridges
The majority of the stakeholders attributed the reduction in fish to other users. Most
stakeholders either put the onus on recreational fishermen and on spear diving.
So we have created a desert by fishermen and you are worried about the little corals on the
cave that can be effected by air bubbles.
(Dive Centre 1)
There is enforcement for the Fishermen but no one talks about the frogman – they capture a
lot of fish. There are many zones in which we cannot fish why only us.
(Professional Fishermen Association 1)
The marine environment has now turned to the worst – There are divers that go down at night
for groupers on wrecks and at night and it is illegal. Therefore, the top predators have been
reduced. Caves have been denuded from the presence of Sertella due to the bubbles from
the divers. We put underwater signs but they were removed after three days. Dive centres do
talk about conservation etc. but when it hits them financially, they ignore these regulations.
(Diving Club 2)
Nonetheless, a number of diving centres did single out spearfishing as one of the
main threats to the sustainability of the sea, while other diving centres mentioned both
recreational and commercial fishing as the main activities to blame for the current
situation in the sea. An NGO did not make a difference between recreational and
commercial fishing and just mentioned that the important principle is sustainability.
This is San Lawrenz (shows pics)-look at the nets, no fish. At Crocodile rock we are diving
and they are throwing the nets. The main problem are the recreational Fishermen not the
professional as they do not follow any rules.
(Diving Centre 2)
Coastal fishing is going to go down – I agree that it should be restricted. In the sense that
an S or an MFC – but with proper regulations. The professional Fishermen has to compete
with these and this is unfair competition as they do not pay tax. What about a bag limit for
the recreational Fishermen? And they sell at a reduced price. Recreational fishing as it is
harming us a lot. How can you be recreational if you catch 80 kg of pixxi San Pietru. There
should be a lot of control on them.
(Professional Fishermen Association 1)
4.1.3 Enforcement and Livelihoods
Most stakeholders were extremely critical of the current levels of enforcement in the
MPAs. This fact alone attaches a very negative perception of MPAs in the stakeholders
and it is one of the major reasons why ten stakeholders did not want to comment on
the impact the proposed MPAs could have on their livelihoods. Some stakeholders
mentioned that the rules are not well known to most of them.
There is no enforcement at all for the existing MPAs. There are no rules. If there are rules
we would know about them. The rules are not defined as they cannot enforce them. The rules
have to be crystal clear and enforced.
(NGO 1)