May 12 - GSD Says Spanish Fishermen Are “Better Informed Than Opposition”
The GSD Opposition notes the reports in the Spanish Press that Spanish Fishermen have rejected proposals from the Gibraltar Government in respect of the regulation of fishing in BGTW.
The party says it is not the first time that reports have appeared in the Spanish Press of proposals having been put to Spanish Fishermen. The GSD says that people may recall that on 30 April 2014, following comments made by Leoncio Fernandez, the former head of the Fishermen's Guild of La Linea, the Government of Gibraltar told the media here that no agreement had been reached and what Mr Fernandez had seen was a discussion paper, which had been put to Spanish Fishermen and other relevant stakeholders.
The Opposition wishes to emphasise that it has not been provided with a copy of that discussion paper. Indeed, according to the Opposition, Mr Picardo has “consistently refused to answer questions” in Parliament about the Government's plans, despite the fact that it is “obvious that they have been the subject of detailed discussion” with Spanish Fishermen, either directly by the Government or through intermediaries. The party says that this “really makes a mockery” of Parliament, and Mr. Picardo's “New Dawn” boast at the last election.
The GSD argues that there is an important difference in explaining your plans to Spanish Fishermen, which the GSD says it would support, and getting yourself in “such a mess” that you need your legislation to be endorsed by anyone across the border. The party says it hopes it's the former not the latter, but because Mr. Picardo “refuses all scrutiny in Parliament on this issue,” it cannot be sure.
