Jan 06 - 2013 Sees Record High Incursions for BGTW
Statistics have revealed that 2013 saw a record number of illegal incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, by Spanish vessels. This Saturday’s edition of UK broadsheet, the Telegraph explains that details unfold almost double the tally for 2012, as tensions between Gibraltar and Spain peaked during the Summer period, following actions made by the Government of Gibraltar to drop an artificial reef into BGTW, in order to protect and preserve marine wildlife.
Surprisingly, November 2013 saw the most incursions, with 54 incidents. The month saw a Spanish Oceanographic Survey Vessel carry out a trawl of Gibraltar Waters for almost 20 hours. Despite warnings to leave the area from British Navy Vessels, the ship insisted that it was carrying out a routine exercise in ‘Spanish Waters’ and refused to leave. The incident sparked an impromptu meeting between the UK Government and the Spanish Ambassador in London.
In early 2013 incursions by Spanish Guardia Civil Vessels and desperate fishing vessels sparked media interest and a number of responses and condemnations from the Governor’s Office. As these visits grew more frequent and Royal Navy warnings became an almost regular occurrence, British Parliament members from both Houses called for an increase in the Navy’s armed patrols.
In December, recently appointed Minister for Armed Forces in the UK, Mark Francois told YGTV that he believed the Royal Navy Squadron in Gibraltar had all the facilities necessary to carry out their duties.
As the New Year rolls in, and discussions of regular incursions falter to a disillusioned murmur between family members and acquaintances in the street, Gibraltar awaits another busy year in the bay, with baited breath.