Spanish fishing vessels expelled from Gibraltar

A British Royal Navy patrol expelled fishermen from Algeciras and La Línea de la Concepción fishing in waters around the Rock of Gibraltar. The measure is due to the fact that the Gibraltar administration unilaterally changed its terms. The conflict began five days ago, when the Gibraltar Police forced Spanish ships to abandon the waters around the Rock up to an area exceeding three miles. It is a disputed area because Spain does not recognize that these waters belong to Gibraltar. In this sense, the mayor of Algeciras and PP deputy, José Ignacio Landaluce, who is mediating in the conflict, said that "the only water areas recognized for the Rock or for the United Kingdom are those assigned by the Treaty of Utrecht, that is, those in the port," Europa Press reported. Landaluce regretted that the attitude of Gibraltar affects "300 people and 70 families working to make their living with dignity." The Spanish complaints lie in the fact that authorities from the Rock unilaterally breached the agreement signed in 1999 by Peter Caruana’s administration with the Shipowners' Association. That agreement allowed the Spanish to fish in those waters provided that they did not approach the area within 225 metres off the coast of the colony. Landaluce met with the Prime Minister of Gibraltar, Fabián Picardo, and other cabinet members to express concern and find a solution to the situation. According to a joint statement, the parties agreed to hold meetings in which Gibraltar will present their new conditions. Meanwhile, fishermen's associations will meet with environment experts and with those responsible for the Gibraltar Police Force to be informed on "what the laws of Gibraltar allow and what they forbid." The aim of the Spanish is to be granted permission for their vessels to fish in the area, as they have done since 1999. In addition, Picardo’s new administration wants to implement new regulations on the grounds of preserving the fishing areas even though no one lives on the fishing activity in the Rock.

Posted in: Spanish fishing vessels expelled from Gibraltar