Govt hits back over Spanish fishing claims

The Gibraltar Government last night slapped down claims by Spanish MEP that a clause in the Memorandum of Understanding allows Spanish fishermen to fish in the Bay of Gibraltar undisturbed.

This comes after Luis Aguiriano, the Spanish representative to the European Union, said in an interview with Europa Sur that Spain and Gibraltar have “closed agreements” on a number of issues including “that our fishermen are not disturbed when they work in the Bay”.

But, these claims drew strong rebuke from the Gibraltar Government.

In a statement No.6 Convent Place said: “The Government of Gibraltar wishes to counter the untrue claims that there has been an agreement to allow the breaking of our marine protection laws by commercial fishermen.”

“There is absolutely no truth to these claims.”

“To clarify, the Memorandums of Understanding that we have agreed with Spain only make two references to fishing.”
“One relates to discussion of fishing activities, and this is entirely in keeping with Gibraltar’s policy that has been firmly in place since 2012.”

“The second is in relation to cooperation for the enforcement of Gibraltar’s criminal law.”

A No.6 spokesman said: “Gibraltar is proud that our British Gibraltar Territorial Waters are a marine protected area.”

“We will defend this status against illegal fishing in accordance with both our own and with EU laws.”

“Enforcement of the criminal law of Gibraltar is a matter for the Royal Gibraltar Police.”