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Spanish fishermen don't recognise 'Memorandum of Understanding'
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by PANORAMA reporter
Spanish fishermen say they do not recognise the 'Memorandum of Understanding' which was agreed at the time when the La Linea mayor came for talks. The memorandum served to break the impasse at the time and led to the technical talks now in progress.
But the Spanish side's spokesman at the technical talks, boat owner Pedro Maza, says the fishermen are upset by a press release issued recently by Fabian Picardo as it makes reference to 'a memorandum which we have not agreed to or recognised'.
The memorandum was agreed with the La Linea fishermen, who outnumber those in Algeciras, in the presence of Picardo and the mayoress on 22 May. The memorandum was taken away by the La Linea fishermen to show to the Algeciras ones, and it was reported at the time that all the fishermen were in agreement.
The memorandum said that the principal objective and purpose was to ensure that the marine environment was protected and preserved in the most sustainable manner possible, and that a joint working group would be established, to report to the Gibraltar government.
When a couple of La Linea fishing boats have been fishing in Gibraltar waters recent, and the RGP have gone out to stage a presence, the fishermen have got upset, saying that all they want to do is to fish. But they do not realise, or want to accept, that they cannot do what they like in Gibraltar waters. At the same time, the Guardia Civil has come out to protect them, as if they are making a statement that the waters are of Spanish sovereignty.
13-07-12
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