The Government said the GSD are the ones who created the fishing problem in the first place.

A spokesman for the government said: “The hypocrisy of the GSD is clearly boundless.  After allowing uncontrolled fishing by Spanish commercial fishermen since their illegal 1999 Agreement, and openly saying they will allow fishing again if ever they came to power, they are calling for the Government to stop it!  Political honesty would require that if they intend to allow it, they should be consistent and try to convince the government of the day to do the same.

“The GSD are consistent in one thing, their failure to either listen, or understand what they are told.  It is not correct that there is more fishing with nets now than ever.  It was much worse during their tenure, at a time when they took not one step to enhance fish populations or to control any type of fishing, repeatedly ignoring calls to do so by the GFSA and others.

“The GSD should congratulate the Minister for the Environment for his vision and determination in the many measures to improve marine conservation, many covered at last week's session of Parliament, but which they conveniently fail to recall.  They should also congratulate the Government, and the Minister, for this year's Marine Protection Regulations which have resulted in many of the problems facing the resident angling community, such as congestion at fishing points along the shore being resolved.

“That the GSD should suggest that they take fishing seriously is a joke that all will easily see through.  That is what is comical.  They simply do not care one bit. They are the ones who created the problem in the first place.  It is the Government's determination in tackling these issues patiently but with determination that will realise what is its ultimate aim, the improvement in the community of marine life, enhanced by the creation of reef and seagrass habitat.  The GSD did absolutely nothing to this end in all its years in power and ignored those who campaigned for this.”

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