Gibraltar: Royal Navy repels fishing boat armada after invasion

Spanish boats illegally entered Gibraltar's waters after a stand-off with the Royal Navy on Sunday.

In an escalation of the bitter diplomatic dispute over fishing rights, Britishmilitary and police boats had to push back a flotilla of around 40 Spanish vessels.

The fishermen, some shouting "Gibraltar is Spanish", were protesting against a concrete reef built by the Rock's government to protect its fishing stock.

They argue the reef restricts their rights to fish, but Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, said "hell will freeze over" before the barrier is removed.

In the tit-for-tat row, Spain introduced extra checks causing five-hour queues for drivers trying to cross the border and has threatened to bring in a £40 charge.

The tensions led David Cameron to complain to the Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy and ask for the European Commission to intervene on Friday.

As the political dispute continues to rage, the Spanish fishermen took matters into their own hands on Sunday by sailing into Gibraltar's waters.

Cathal Yeats, chief inspector of the Royal Gibraltar Police, said the flotilla crossed into Gibraltarian waters before being "corralled" out again.

"At around 9am about 38 Spanish fishing boats and seven or eight pleasure craft converged in the area of the western anchorage," he said. "We had our own police cordon along with Royal Navy and other assets and we corralled them in the area of the south mole.

"They tried to breach the cordon several times but they were not successful."

According to Press Association, Spanish Guardia Civil boats also warned the vessels not to sail too close to the British territory's reef.

Cameron has called Spain's reaction to the reef "politically motivated and disproportionate" and suggested the extra border checks are contrary to the EU right of free movement.

The fishermen were protesting against a concrete reef built by the Rock’s government to protect its fishing stock. Photograph: Jon Nazca/Reuters

Rajoy has said he would prefer to settle the dispute in a friendly manner but at the same time threatened to use all measures available to defend his country's interests.

The row could intensify further on Monday as HMS Westminster, a British warship, and two auxiliary vessels are due to dock in Gibraltar, with crowds of flag-waving residents set to welcome them into port.

British officials have stressed that this is part of a "routine" journey from England through the Mediterranean to the Gulf.Picardo, the Gibraltan chief minister, who has received death threats over the conflict, thanked the British authorities for their "cool, professional and calm" help in fending off the Spanish boats.

Julie Girling, the British MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, also arrived on the Rock on Sunday to meet ministers but official sources said no peace talks between Britain and Spain have yet been scheduled to take place.

Tom Watson, a prominent Labour MP for West Bromwich East, condemned the "bullying tactics" used by Spain as "intolerable".

"Their government should respect the views of the people of Gibraltar," he added.

Gibraltar row: Spain misinformed over artificial reef

Span's protest over Gibraltar reef is more political, says Eric Shaw, who started building the reef in 1973. Photograph: Marcos Moreno/AFP/Getty Images

Spain's demands that Gibraltar dismantles the artificial reef at the centre of a diplomatic spat with Britain have been dismissed as "misinformed" by the reef's creator after it emerged that there have been no complaints made about it in over 30 years, its construction mostly benefits the Spanish fishing industry and Spain has received millions of euros from the EU to create similar reefs of its own.

Spanish foreign minister José Manuel García-Margallo further fuelled the dispute between the two countries this week by insisting that the 72 hollow concrete blocks that have been recently dropped by aconservation group on the seabed in Gibraltar waters must be removed as a precondition of any settlement between the UK and Spain.

He told the Guardian the creation of the artificial reef "was done to cause us problems" and "only to stop us fishing."

In a column in the Wall Street Journal García-Margallo also wrote: "The dumping of concrete blocks constitutes a violation of the most basic rules of environmental conservation. These waters account for 25% of the activity of local fishermen … it is first necessary for the UK to show that it intends to undo the damage that has already been caused, in particular by removing the concrete blocks."

Satellite map of Gibraltar showing reef location

Local Spanish fishermen have claimed that the reef has removed one of their best fishing grounds but this is dismissed by Eric Shaw, head of the marine section of the Gibraltar ornithological and natural history societywho started the reef in 1973 in an attempt to give marine wildlife an environment to breed and colonise.

"There was just sand before and no life. So we tried to provide an oasis by dropping old boats there. It is now a fish nursery. Bream and, in season, tuna spawn there, as well as invertebrates. It's like we have put in a block of flats and [marine life] has moved in. The reef has no intention beyond conservation."

The artificial reef, which has been extended to stretch much of the way around the tiny territory, was the first to be constructed in Europe and is now one of Europe's biggest. It is made of over 30 scuttled vessels and wrecks, including old boats, gravel barges, and floating platforms. It is extended when funds are available or old boats are donated to conservation charity The Helping Hand, which dropped the concrete blocks earlier this year.

"The sandy seabed has been replaced by an oasis of highly diverse marine life. You will find corals, gorgonians, lobsters and crabs. There are sponges, anemones, octopus and eels. There are shoals of fish, small and large, from anchovies and bream, to scorpion fish and bass. Over the years, private vessel owners, companies and officials have donated not only their vessels but also their time, thoughts and efforts in order to improve the marine habitat of Gibraltar," says a spokesman forThe Helping Hand.

Shaw dismissed Spanish government complaints that the reef has been built without their consultation or consent as politically motivated. "Since we started building it 30 years ago, no-one has ever complained about it. We have received no letter or complaint in 30 years. All the Spanish authorities have ever asked us is how do we construct it. This is a diversionary tactic by the Spanish politicians."

Gibraltarians said they were confused by the Spanish attack on the reef because it has been a model for many others built along the coasts of Malaga, Granada and Almería. Spain has received millions of euros from the EU to create reefs. Some have become tourist destinations, attracting divers.

This week the row escalated when a formal complaint was lodged in a La Linea court alleging that nine Gibraltar government ministers had committed an environmental crime under Spanish law by ordering the creation of the reef. The case is unlikely to be heard because the reef is entirely in Gibraltarian waters.

Shaw also dismissed claims by the local Spanish fisherman that they have lost earnings of €1.5m since 24 July, when the blocks were put in place. "There is no commercial fishing in Gibraltarian waters and there is only one Spanish fisherman who regularly comes. He is from La Linea and has a very small boat and picks up very little." Larger Spanish trawlers sporadically enter Gibraltarian waters but are thought to catch little.

"There is no commercial fishing in Gibraltar. The reef is good for Spain and its fishermen above all because the fish breed there. They can be caught anywhere," says Shaw.

Shore Fishing in Singapore

Hello....My name is Alo or Shoreangler. I am from Singapore.... yup...that tiny island in South East Asia. As this country is surrounded by water..beach fishing has become one of the most common choice for an angler. My type of fishing is all landbase. Either on the beach or at a jetty connected to the shoreline. So catching a fish is all base on individual method, experience and skill. This is a extended site from my main site...www.shoreangler.8m.com. I hope you will enjoy reading both sites and enjoy the pictures as well! 

Look out for my step by step with photos on tying a long snood bottom feeder rig on the next issue of HOOKED fishing magazine.

Firstly, I have to admit my ignorance, when I was told that there were Barramundi in Thailand I was very surprised. Thinking they were only native to Australia, it was pointed out to me that these fish in fact populate many freshwater lakes throughout Asia. So I went along to Bor Num Lake with a friend of mine (John); who is also a keen angler and has been living in Bangkok for over thirteen years.

The lake is actually called Bor Num Barramundi fishing park, and the ticket for the day cost 100 Thai baht (approx 2 British pounds or 3 US dollars), excellent value for money. It is possible to hire spinning rods and tackle for an additional 100 baht per person. Bor Num Lake also offers the chance to try your hand at fly fishing; the price is the same which ever code of fishing is chosen. It was suggested to us that we use lures when fishing for the barramundi, we were in total agreement -lure fishing always appeals- as the action and excitement is second to none when fishing for predators using this system.

It turns out that fishing for barramundi is extremely popular amongst Thais, especially at the weekends where many come to enjoy the fishing activities. Though catching and eating your quarry is something that has never appealed to me, many anglers here, Thais and foreigners alike do. You can enjoy these fish in the restaurant for -an additional cost- if you so wish, the fish is prepared by the local chefs to your taste (the lake is frequently stocked, to counter the fish taken for the pot).You can always put the fish back if this is not your bag.

Barramundi Fishing in Thailand - An Amazing Days Fishing for the Ultimate Predator

There is not much protection from the sun here, so one must stay well covered up as the sun will easily nuke theskin, even sun block struggles to keep the rays at bay. So a good hat and a long sleeved shirt are the order of the day.

The staff were very friendly giving us plenty of tips and advice, without which I feel we may have struggle to catch; when fishing here one needs to use different techniques than when at home fishing.

The Barramundi have been farmed commercially in lakes here in Thailand for over twenty years, they are extremely aggressive hunters and when hooked give one serious fight. Usually clearing the water with energetically charged leaps, which causes large splashes as they land again, bringing the angler much approved applause and cheer from the local observers.

We found that poppers with a fly attached to a 30lb leader proved to be the most successful lures (as recommended by the guide). Barramundi have a sharp gill plate and the larger fish can cut through 40lb Fluorocarbon shock leader in one swipe. We used bait casting rods 6 feet in length and bait casting reels which are used specifically for lure fishing (they look very much like multiplying reels).

The lake is not a fish farm and it is quite easy to blank here if the wrong methods are used, but if you get it right a fantastic day will be had. The fish do vary in size form 1kg (2.2lb) up to and beyond 10kg (22lbs).

Unbelievably the first cast of the day resulted in John hitting into a monster, with in seconds this Barramundi leapt clear of the water creating much excitement in the camp (the guide pointing out that when the fish breaches the water, it is best to lower the tip of the rod, so as not to give the fish too much chance of shedding the hook) John then proceeded to wrestle for a further five minutes with his quarry, again the magnificent barramundi cleared the water several more times before finally subduing to the net. A 4.8kg fish on the first cast and about twenty more in total, not bad at all for a couple of beginners.
A few tips:-

It is debatable whether to use a tour company or not. If you are confident of finding your way and have your own transport then it is not essential to pay the extra for a tour company. The staff at Born Num is very experienced and probably knows more about their water than the guides from agencies.

If live bait fishing you must buy out the fish, you can not catch and release when live baiting due to the almost guaranteed take.

A small tip is appreciated but not compulsory for the guides at Bor Num – we gave B100 tip for good service all day
The guides are kept very bust usually looking after 5 or 6 anglers at a time.

Food and drinks are ordered via the guide, so you do not have to leave the waters edge.
Toilets are not European Style, but clean.

There is a very friendly atmosphere and the local fishermen are only too willing to help, giving friendly advice and tips without being too intrusive.

So all in all a fantastic day was had by all and we became hooked ourselves and will certainly be returning to Bor Num very soon.

Paddle sports, particularly kayak fishing, are the fastest growing water sport today. Kayaking, canoeing and rafting are now destination activities. With all the green and eco friendly activities available, paddle sports have dominated the outdoor adventure scene. Paddle sports are low impact on the environment, inexpensive, thrilling and always memorable.

Not to be left out, the fishing and sporting communities wanted in on this explosion. Kayakers, anglers and sportsmen merged concepts and technologies. Along with diversity came opportunity. New specialty equipment, gear and accessories evolved. Fishing kayaks and kayak fishing hand paddles evolved from this call to action.

With the rapid growth of paddle sports, there has been a definitive diversification of the sport into various disciplines. All the technological and manufacturing advancements have fueled the sudden increase in the sport. Kayak fisherman and kayak sportsman have recently dominated the growth in the paddle sports arena.

Kayak fishermen, also known as kayak anglers, and kayak sportsmen require specialty equipment, gear and accessories to effectively pursuit their sport. Their fishing kayaks and fishing hand paddles are specifically designed to accommodate their dynamic environments and distinctive sporting activities.

Kayak anglers and sportsmen have designed boats for easy access and mobility. Many facets of their kayak design reflect accoutrements that were found only on motorized fishing vessels. Today you can find rod holders, live wells, storage compartments, battery wells, fish finders, anchors, etc. If they can fit a specialty fishing accessory on a twelve to fourteen foot kayak, they will try to get it on there! They even have twin hulled, foot propelled and battery operated kayaks for the hard core anglers.

Kayak Fishing: The Evolution Of Fishing Kayaks And Kayak Fishing Hand Paddles.

For ease of access and dismount, the anglers use a modified version of the sit on top kayak, or SOT. SOT’s were a natural conversion platform for kayak anglers. These boats are self bailing, meaning that any water that gets in the kayak will be drained away by gravity. Getting on and off is much easier than a sit in kayak. Turning or sliding around to access tackle or gear behind you is a much simpler evolution.

With this approach to fishing from kayaks, came another conundrum that caused problems in the kayak angling community. How do you paddle and fish at the same time? Think about it. Can you hold your fishing rod and akayak paddle at the same time?

Paddling your kayak and fishing at the same time became a comedy on the water. It takes two hands to wrangle a seven foot kayak paddle, no matter how you hold it. Throw in a fishing pole, and you soon realize you need three hands!

Kayak fishing hand paddles evolved from pioneering anglers solving this problem with ping pong paddles, Kadema paddles, modified badminton racquets and the sort. They could hold onto their fishing rod and with the other hand paddle their boat stealthily toward their prey.

It soon became apparent that flailing a seven foot paddle is not conducive to shallow water, or skinny water fishing. The fish can see you! The best way to sneak up on your prey is to glide stealthily toward them. While holding your fishing rod, using a little six or seven ounce fishing hand paddle to propel your kayak, about 16” long, is perfect for the task.

As you begin your foray into kayak fishing, do your research. Peruse the internet, talk to local anglers, visit local outfitters and try various kayak platforms and fishing hand paddles. That little effort will certainly make your fishing trip much more rewarding and memorable.

Fish on!!

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=489316&ca=Sports