26
M. C. Mifsud
Our interest in the sea is not money or income – but we encourage people to use the sea. We
want the MPA to be set up in a way that enhances the wildlife in those particular areas – that
is what divers pay to come and see. In these last 20 years since we have started diving here,
the sea has been denuded of fish. The divers bring in a significant amount of income – there
are 70,000 divers who come year very year. This does not cost anything to the government
– they only built some toilets at Cirkewwa.
(NGO 3)
Some stakeholders mentioned the issue of bunkering and that it has to be stopped
in the way it is happening. Some also argued that if the regulations are enforced
similarly to the ones on Filfla in the future they might as well stop fishing.
No one knows how fishing is restricted, ERA or Fisheries, if they restrict bunkering much
better as the sea bed is being destroyed. The amount of fish has decreased a lot throughout
the ages. Perhaps only tuna was not so affected. We are all monitored through GPRS. But
the S are not monitored like us full time Fishermen. If the rules are the same as those there
are on Filfla and they are enforced the coastal Fishermen can just stop fishing.
(Professional Fishermen Association 3)
Most stakeholders discussed the positive aspect of their activity and how with
proper management the fish stocks would be replenished.
Divers are environmentalists in their nature. The long term sustainability of the industry
depends on us protecting/safeguarding this god sent natural resource. The diving industry
generates much more for the country in the way of revenue than the other stakeholders using
these dive sites. Fish numbers have deteriorated to an extent that dive sites are EMPTY
especially when the water is still cold. We know what it was like 20 years ago and that is
why we are angry. The positive side of this story is that the sea is generous and it will not
take too long to repopulate our dive sites.
(Dive Centre 1)
4.1.5 New MPAs and Possible Effects on Livelihoods
Different stakeholders reacted differently to the different proposed MPAs. While
all of the stakeholders were of the opinion that they should have been given an
indication of the rules that would prevail in the MPAs. The majority (fifteen) did
not want to commit themselves, while one Commercial Fishermen association stated
that they will not accept new reserves if situation remains as is. Nonetheless some
general trends do appear. The stakeholders who are involved in fishing feel that their
livelihood is under threat. Dive centres seem to feel less of a threat to their livelihood.
Reserves will not make a difference. Enforcement of the law is non-existent.
We will not accept more protected areas if the situation remains as is. We have accepted
trawlers within the 25-mile zone to compete with the small Fishermen. A lot of Fishermen
are now employing Indonesian individuals that work nonstop. These industrial fishermen
are negatively effecting the small Fishermen. Small Fishermen usually fish on one boat and
do not employ anyone else. Cannot compete with Fishermen that employ Indonesians – and
these should not be working within the 25-mile radius. How can I compete with them?
(Professional Fishermen Association 3)
M. C. Mifsud
Our interest in the sea is not money or income – but we encourage people to use the sea. We
want the MPA to be set up in a way that enhances the wildlife in those particular areas – that
is what divers pay to come and see. In these last 20 years since we have started diving here,
the sea has been denuded of fish. The divers bring in a significant amount of income – there
are 70,000 divers who come year very year. This does not cost anything to the government
– they only built some toilets at Cirkewwa.
(NGO 3)
Some stakeholders mentioned the issue of bunkering and that it has to be stopped
in the way it is happening. Some also argued that if the regulations are enforced
similarly to the ones on Filfla in the future they might as well stop fishing.
No one knows how fishing is restricted, ERA or Fisheries, if they restrict bunkering much
better as the sea bed is being destroyed. The amount of fish has decreased a lot throughout
the ages. Perhaps only tuna was not so affected. We are all monitored through GPRS. But
the S are not monitored like us full time Fishermen. If the rules are the same as those there
are on Filfla and they are enforced the coastal Fishermen can just stop fishing.
(Professional Fishermen Association 3)
Most stakeholders discussed the positive aspect of their activity and how with
proper management the fish stocks would be replenished.
Divers are environmentalists in their nature. The long term sustainability of the industry
depends on us protecting/safeguarding this god sent natural resource. The diving industry
generates much more for the country in the way of revenue than the other stakeholders using
these dive sites. Fish numbers have deteriorated to an extent that dive sites are EMPTY
especially when the water is still cold. We know what it was like 20 years ago and that is
why we are angry. The positive side of this story is that the sea is generous and it will not
take too long to repopulate our dive sites.
(Dive Centre 1)
4.1.5 New MPAs and Possible Effects on Livelihoods
Different stakeholders reacted differently to the different proposed MPAs. While
all of the stakeholders were of the opinion that they should have been given an
indication of the rules that would prevail in the MPAs. The majority (fifteen) did
not want to commit themselves, while one Commercial Fishermen association stated
that they will not accept new reserves if situation remains as is. Nonetheless some
general trends do appear. The stakeholders who are involved in fishing feel that their
livelihood is under threat. Dive centres seem to feel less of a threat to their livelihood.
Reserves will not make a difference. Enforcement of the law is non-existent.
We will not accept more protected areas if the situation remains as is. We have accepted
trawlers within the 25-mile zone to compete with the small Fishermen. A lot of Fishermen
are now employing Indonesian individuals that work nonstop. These industrial fishermen
are negatively effecting the small Fishermen. Small Fishermen usually fish on one boat and
do not employ anyone else. Cannot compete with Fishermen that employ Indonesians – and
these should not be working within the 25-mile radius. How can I compete with them?
(Professional Fishermen Association 3)