The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society has expressed concern over reports that the Government of Gibraltar may be taking steps to allow fishing with nets and the raking of sea-beds within BGTW.  The group insists that ‘while the amendment to the Nature Protection Act (NPA) currently proposed does not in itself allow such activity, its introduction suggests that this may be a possibility in the future’.

The Society is concerned that any such action could lead to unregulated fishing continuing, given the practical difficulties of enforcement.  Licensed fishing and quotas would be as difficult to enforce as the current legislation and they would accrue the additional burdens of having to run a licensing system, check boats and perhaps land catches regularly to ensure that licensees are keeping to their quotas.  This appears onerous and unnecessary when Gibraltar itself does not have any commercial fishing activity.

GONHS is especially concerned that some of these fishing practices are extremely destructive to marine habitats, especially unregulated raking, and that a relaxation of fishing laws would lead to further deterioration of Gibraltar’s marine habitats.  All of this would, if allowed, take place whilst ‘no fishing’ zones are enforced in protected areas in nearby Spain, including the Bay and Strait of Gibraltar themselves.

It urges the Government to resist allowing any commercial fishing.  A temptation to do so should be considered within the context of the difficulties of policing an effective licensing regime and exclusion zones, without which we will continue to experience deterioration of marine habitats and resources.  It is vital that Gibraltar's marine resources are managed carefully in order to ensure proper protection, enhancement and sustainable use of Gibraltar's biodiversity and that of the wider region.

GONHS also urges the Government to continue creating new habitats and enhancing existing ones, including increasing the extent of artificial reefs.  The planned marine regulations controlling diving and fishing should be introduced without delay.