Monday, 22nd June 2009 - 11:07CET
New Video: Scuffles as Greenpeace protesters try to board boats in Grand Harbour
Video issued by Greenpeace.
Scuffles broke out this morning as Greenpeace prosters tried to board a fishing boat in Grand Harbour during a protest against unsustainable fishing.
The incident happened at about 10 a.m. when activists from several countries blocked access to the boats soon after they arrived from Libyan waters.
The activists said access was blocked after the captains refused to tell them what fish they had on board. Greenpeace suspected they were carrying tuna.
The fishermen retaliated by showering the protesters with water.
The protest was held by activists from the UK, Australia, the US and Lebanon. One of the Americans said that when he tried to get on board one of the boats, he was punched, pulled by the hair and thrown overboard. Further scuffles broke out as another Greenpeace member tried to board a boat.
Greenpeace said its activists were attacked when they attempted to carry out "a peaceful inspection" of the Spanish fishing vessel, Cabo Tinoso Dos. Greenpeace called on local authorities to carry out an official inspection of the vessel. Policemen and Fisheries Department officials later went on the boat.
NO ILLEGAL TUNA FOUND
The Fisheries Department in a statement in the afternoon said that the boats had not been carrying any illegal tuna. The department said it was improving its administrative capacity through the engagement of more inspectors and over the past few days it acted to ensure that the national tuna quota was respected.
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Comments
There is no Perfect way to do this because, politicians prefer to promise and talk about things that make people feel good but warn us about other political parties by talking about things that make us feel bad.
Greepeace are in this cycle, except they have to communicate something that makes us feel bad, so we dont take easily to the Messenger.
Anyways, it's all been said below - the man hitting the woman should be charged with assault, as he used excessive force for the situation, and the vessel master is responisible to take action too.
In Malta, fishermen also have no choice regaring selection of fish to catch. There are no rich grounds, like Libya or Italy. We live on a shipping route and dumping of illegal wastes goes un noticed. We also do more harm to sea environment through our waste disposal, think - every time we wash the plates soap liquid goes into the sea - Some Hotels have waste disposal on nearby beaches, leaking?- so its good to raise the profile/awarenes of this common problem - not unique to Malta !
@Ian Ellul....who did wrong? if someone didn't give permission to enter your house and persist what would your reaction be?
They have no authority to carry out searches and they lose a lot of credibility when they pull stunts like this.
However the punching was out of line, they could have continued to use the hoses and thrown her back in the water without resorting to violence.
M'ghandux x'jaqsam, sajd illegali hazin u overfishing, imma li titla fuq dghajsa hekk fuq suspett li wara deher ma kienx minnu huwa hazin izjed. Is-sajjieda wara kollox huma haddiema li jbatu hafna, u jekk kien hemm xi haga illegali il GP imisshom informaw l-awtoritajiet biex jiehdu passi mhux jiehdu il-ligi b idejhom. Tal-GP kisru il-ligi mhux is-sajjieda f'dal kaz
@ Liam Kelly..The footage was taken by greenpeace-it says so on the report-sorry to disappoint you - Can't you see that these shots are an invaluable GP publicity tool? Or haven't you noticed that they sent the female members of their group as front runners while their "menfolk" stood back?
@ Chris Finch..You never miss an opportunity to denigrate Malta and the Maltese. To all those who are singling out Malta and the Maltese for disproportional vilification..I'll bet that even in childhood you used to wander the schoolyard searching out easy targets to vent your anger at.
GP showed there arrogance!!!
I again ask, WHY MALTA? and not other countries....maybe we have to freedom that now they are making us a carpet....MALTA stand up to all these before it's to late.....the funny thing then....the fisherman had nothing irregular
Nice manners. Who cares why she asked. People ask questions all the time. That's life.
Tourists especially ask questions.
Tourists around the world now know better than to visit Malta.
We would rather spend our travel dollars on a place with higher regard for people.
It is very sad Malta needs pressure from international group in order to regulate itself. We're just an example of a country that cannot rule itself, same as Africa.
This shocking video shows the quality of some of the fishermen we have! A I hope action is taken against these people who are a disgrace to the nation.
Why were these people protesting in Malta?? Shouldn't they be trying to save their countries from "overfishing" tuna illegally which, by the way, wasn't found on the boats.
Greenpeace couldn't sink any lower with these stupid protests. They tried to do "a peaceful inspection". What's peaceful about boarding a ship from the side without any authorisation?? Very little in my view and it seems the fishermen see it my way as they weren't so peaceful and unfortunately I am going to have to side with them this time. When Greenpeace start doing things the correct ways I might switch sides but otherwise they will remain a joke to me.
What if someone out of the blues insists in gettinng into your home to check ANY kind of illegality which you may be combining in your privacy, with no authority at all, how would you react. I'm sure that not just a punch in the face would do.........
Marsaxlokk market Sunday 14 June.
We were disgusted to see such small fish being sold. Supplies will run out if this is too continue - authorities please take note.
Further on a couple of officials were testing the water temperature in the trays with fish being sold for human consumption at one of the stalls. No ice, so no prizes for guessing that the water temperature was too hot. As the officials started removing the fish, the seller became very aggressive towards them and was banging on the counter like a mad woman. She told them that she was trying to earn a living. Apart from making an exhibition of herself in front of everyone present at the time, she obviously couldn't have cared for her customers well being as long as she made her living!!
Well done to the officials for keeping their cool and for looking after the consumers well being.
Further on, blue shark was being sold insubstitute of accola. We told the stall holder that she was selling blue shark and not accola - she didn't say anything. This sort of thing needs to stop.
Published: 22 June, 2009
Greenpeace activists from the Rainbow Warrior have been violently attacked as they attempted to carry out a peaceful inspection of the Spanish fishing vessel, Cabo Tinoso Dos. The attack came as activists opened a banner, saying ‘Bluefin Tuna Massacre’, to highlight the unsustainable fishing activities of such vessels, part of the industrial fleets that threaten the entire bluefin tuna industry. Greenpeace is calling on local authorities to carry out an official inspection of the vessel"
Here we go folks! Same tactics, same sympathy-grabbing tactic that these extremist groups LOVE to use. All conveniently one-sided and exaggerated.....anyone remember our dear anti-all-hunting-all-the-time-CABS??!
Funny, though, the press release seems to imply they were attacked, for no reason, without provocaton, etc etc. They just "opened a banner". Yeah right.
" SHAME ON GREENPEACE "
I've been aboard the Green Peace ship as a kid and they love showing the 'baddies' beating up the 'goodies' and its always happens an activist tries to board a ship illegally or when they spoil the cargo. You should have heard the presentator; he made them appear as if they've died for the cause or something.
@ 1.30sec - 1.33sec that IS a woman... such a fact that a guy says "tiha tiha"....
Greenpeace do it their way and it's wrong... but that man wearing a red T-shirt should aslo consider taking part in a next 'Roky' movie... First he throws a man overboard then he punches a woman... they really should employ him as a security for the boat rather than a fisherman 'jkn' ;)
I hope that the police take action against the aggressor, it is precisely this kind of macho behaviour that ruins our country. There is no excuse for such behaviour it just goes to show how uneducated a segement of our population is. SHAME.
No Aneliese, you DO NOT HAVE the right to trespass and force your way onto other people's property. If you would like to have this right I suggest you move to Africa, where property law is a taboo.
You do however have the right to express your feelings, in writing or a voce, or in any other way permissable by CIVIL law.....not jungle law
unsustainable fishing is not done by maltese fishermen, if the blue tuna is at risk surely its not because of the fishermen in these small islands.
Greenpeace should also take notice that the great majority of the maltese give a fish about their protests on tuna fish, Greenpeace should protest about the destruction of the maltese countryside, they should try and stop development in Gozo before its too late, instead of losing their time with something that the maltese have no fault in. Besides they should also stop these "teatrini"
As for the cameraman of this film.....
The cameraperson is obviously a Green PEACE activist whose sole job is to film the boarding HOPING that his mates are thrown overboard! ONLY in this way GP try to wrest support form the watching public!
GP do this on purpose to provoke.
In my opinion, GP are make a mockery of the law and all those that aid a abet them are doing likewise.
Sorry Sir, but my text mentioned National and on my dictionary this is not the direct equal to Nationalist! So please check the mix up and stop parroting the other comment!
Punching and swearing is never nice; especially punching a woman! ever heard of the saying let sleeping dogs lie! Did she expect to be welcomed aboard with a champagne cocktail! In anycase no irregularities were found by the authorities. Unlike you I am proud to be Maltese. The greenpeace activist should have chained herself to a ship to make a statement; this time she got a bit more then she bargained for. What a chimp!
You cannot just board a private vessel without an invitation from the captain. Not even the police can do that without a court warrant.
This video clearly shows that GP woman went there to get beaten and have it caught on film.
In my opinion Greenpeace have lost their respect yesterday and lost support for their cause.
Pity.
It's a disgrace. Are those fishermen maltese? Did he/she deserved all those punches?
We are a country of shames!!!!!
GP have their goals and in their defence one has to say that they do bring awareness to us joe blows of the world, but they DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to trespass on private property and if you and I are prosecuted if we do so, SO THE HEC SHOULD THEY.
It is only the police that with a court order have the authority to do the checking that should be done and not Green Peace - they are not supreme.
Fishermen; In a few years when all the fish have gone you'll all go crying to the government and EU that you've lost your livlihoods and beg for hand outs, yet it was you in the first place who were greedy and over-fished.
As for the cameraman of this film. You stood there and preferred to film a woman getting battered by 4 men just so you could get your clip....Didn't bother going to help her at all my friend?
@ all who say that the way Greenpeace carried their ninspection was not correct:
what were you expecting? these capitalist pigs (the fishers...and corprations for that matter) will not take any chances, so why should greenpeace?
Kindly explain to me what on earth is wrong with making money (as long as it is earned in a fair and legal manner)?
If this brawl happened in our village feast, everyone would come out shouting: "Kemm huma slavag!". But this is all fine! Stop being servile to foreigners.
Does anyone realise that these films go round the world aired by such tv stations as Discovery World! Does anyone give a value to the damage done to the country's image?
I suppose both the Greenpeace activitists and the fishermen should be arraigned in court and be given a lesson for getting Malta's name in disrepute.
Greenpeace activists are usually on the organisation's payroll.
So I suggest they be given the clear message to go to fight their wars elsewhere.
Who gave these activists authority to do what they want?
Can I start my own group and call it "No Extremists" and do what I want too??
"The activists said access was blocked after the captains refused to tell them what fish they had on board" ... really??
...would you like to know... what fuel they use too?? Or maybe if they use plastic bags or not?? that might help.
Mr. GreenPeacer,
next time someone knocks at your door, open and let him in to conduct a peaceful inspection ... that sounds like you
doesn't it?
While the chap in red was overly agressive should the trespasser not boarded the vessel illegaly...then he would not have been attacked !
nowadays in the uk (as an vile example) should a thief injure himseld on something sharp within the abode he may be robbing, he is entitled to compensation.
People get what they deserve.... 'you break into my house'... you finish the rest !
This is no Wild West. The law and judiciary has its own ways of making its investigations.
There seem to be a mix up in video showing differently on home computers!!! Mine shows a GP lady trying to force her way on somebody’s boat in very un-lady like manners! The version on my computer showed that she was then presented with a bouquet of roses that she clearly deserved!
Considering your broken hearth about the incident, why not invite the GP staff over to your place and let them do a search there to boost up their feelings!
I can't figure out how you had to colour opinions into red or blue. Or it is now purple?
Only the last tiny bit about NO TUNA FOUND ON BOARD failed to take off further than the territorial boundaries!
Whilst i hope there should be more frequent inspections for any illegal fishing OUR legal authorities, arrogance should be thrown off the sea.
Well done fishermen
Fishing and hunting are the same, just diffrent species.
Hunters eat the birds they catch (even if they happen to stuff them, the flesh can still be saved & eaten, apart from the fact that game birds are not stuffed)
@ all
So greenpeace got it wrong, how come, they were so sure they took the law in their own hands? Their goes credibility of environmentalists!!!
As I keep questioning NGO's please answer:
1. How are you funding your operations?
2. What salaries do your staff, managers and directors get?
3. What qualifications have you got & if your organisation was disolved would you easily find emloyment?
4. Why don't you ever show your audited accounts, on your website?
I always ask these questions because for me these people are after a well paid job (paid by ingnorant brainwashed people) & seek the limelight to retain their job. Please prove me wrong.
Ma nafx kif bniedem malti jista jikteb b'dak it ton. Allura jekk tkun fdarek u jigi bniedem u jidhollok mil bieb, thallih diehel jew tqactu l-barra? Jien ghandi simpatija ma GP imma mhux meta jaghmlu dawl il busullotti sempliciment biex jigbdu s-simpatija lejhom. Kellom kollox ippjanat sahansistra kienu lesti bil video camera halli juru lid dinja x'inhuma jaghmlu. Gara ezatt dak li stennew u xtaqu. U baghtu mara fuq id-dghajsa bi skop ukoll. Wara urew il-video lid dinja biex taparsi ara ahna qed inharsu t-tonn u hadd izjed.
Ghalija dawk IPOKRITI.
A note to the vessels' owners/captain . . . . if you need help, I will be willing to come and throw a couple of Green Peace activists back into the sea.
This has all been captured on tape and in the public domain. In no civilised country in the world could you call this self defence.
I hope the police have seen this video and prosecute this man. Or are the fishermen untouchable like certain other sections of Maltese society?
This is truly sickening and will undoubtedly be shown around the world.
Once again the Maltese shoot themselves in the foot with their hot-headed attitude. I am only assuming that the tourism industry is no longer a priority to the Maltese as this will do incredible damage to it.
Also to the hunting fraternity defending these thugs, you are really showing your true colours when it comes to conservation. Isn't it about time you drop the pretence and remove the word conservation from your club name?
I have connected all the dots log ago and have come to realize that dots, like those comparable to tiny Malta, definitely do not cause the harm you refer to. On the contrary it is the very big dots or more appropriately the large blobs that cause all the environmental damage.
So please explain why Greenpeace decide to protest in the small dots and keep well away from the large blobs?
I would rather leave the saving of our planet and its still plentiful resources to the experts rather then be influenced by a few hotheads claiming they have a God given right to interfere and trample over private property often leaving empty handed as in this incident.
If you beg to differ that's your prerogative. But i consider Green Peace as being irrational and total extremist. This can also be confirmed by many of their ex members.
Somebody said GP has nothing to hide! Excuse me but who went to check who? What if somebody forces himself to search your property would the you still feel so free to patronise the action?
To have individuals board vessels unauthorized, as the video shows, is unlawful and the local authorities ought to have acted promptly to stop this.
The vessels' crews could have triggered their "piracy attack" apparatus which would have sent signals to their authorities - for piracy attack inside a European Port!
By the way, Christopher, should you need assistance in examining your neighbour's underwean, please give me a call.
Those who defend their actions also place themselves in the same category.
Honestly, your comment is quite confusing, namely:
1. Are you aware what "game" means" I believe not as you would not have commented the way you did.
2. Trespassing onto private property is illegal. Are you saying that GP have any divine right to trespass?!
Sir, you appear to be in a confused state of mind. I am sure you have not understood my comment at all.
Notwithstanding that it is not to your liking, I intend persisting in campaigning against extremists, be they BirdLife, Greenpeace or others who present non-factual arguments against different Maltese citizens. As for your comment "people might start paying attention to what you write rather than laugh at it! ", well, this shows that my comments, far from making you laugh, have irritated you! That pleases me immensely!
Finally, your level of intelligence has precluded you from attacking the argument and not the writer? So much for gentlemanly manners!!!
They should understand that they are not above the law, and the owner of the vessels might take legal actions against this person for actually going on board as was seen in the video and on the Italian news.
The intruder and Green Peace representatives should stop and think before acting irresponsibly; how would they feel if an intruder breaks into their place. I am pretty sure they would do what it takes to protect themselves and their property.
Qieghed niktteb bil-Malti ghaliex ma' rridx li din tinqara mill-barrani ghaliex ma'rridx nuri x'poplu ahna - poplu njorant u minghajr ebda rispett la ghall-annimali, ta'l=art u tal-bahar kif ukoll ghan-nies bhalna. Kont ixxokkjat u mmeraviljat waqt l-ahbarijiet tas-seba' ta' fil-ghaxija fuq ir-RAI 3. L-individwu li barra li beda' jsawwat lil dik il-povra mara beda jidghi. Nittama li l-pulizija tiehu passi dixxiplinarji kontrih a li ma' jsibx xi qaddis jidhol ghalih. Insewhom il-voti u hud passi - kemm il-gvern kif ukoll l-oppozizzjoni. Inutuli li nippromotjaw Malta mall-barrani - huwa l-parlament (gevern u oppozizzjoni) li jridu jghamlu d-doveri taghhom - jekk le se nispiccaw ANARKIJA u kulhadd jghamel li jrid.
QUMU MIR-RAQDA U GHAMLU XI HAGA GHALL-PAJJIZNA.
Ahna c-cittadini onesti rridu nghixu fil-paci u ma niguwx ittimbrati ma din il-kwalita' ta marmalja.
Nispera li ma' jkunx hawn xi turist jew barrani li jaf jaqra bil-Malti ghax din tal-misthija.
Nowhere in the article is hunting mentioned, so please keep your comments defending hunting to an appropriate blog. Hunting for fun and fishing for food are two completely different stories. However laws must be resepcted in both practices and if anyone (Maltese or Foreign) want to expose the law being broken i am all in favour of it.
As for your previous comment regarding the prosecution of the fisherman who assaulted the GP activist, please explain where exactly he is defending himself and from what exactly? Did you seee any aggressive behaviour by the GP activist? or do we live in a different world and what you see is not what the rest of us see. Having said that the GP activist should also be prosecuted for trepassing. Or didn't you see that either?
Finally, it's people like you that tarnish Malta's reputation. You are completely brain washed by the pro hunting lobby and fail to recognise fiction from fact. When you finally come up with something objective to say people might start paying attention to what you write rather than laugh at it!
And now i can expect an entertaining reply...looking forward :)
So according to you Greenpeace are the saviors of our world. So let them board any ship they want, enter private property, feature in World news and then as in the case of Malta turn up empty handed.
If as you say you are happy with inviting them on board your boat. I totally agree. But the boat they wanted to board certainly did not send them an invitation.
That explains the punch they received in what they termed as a "peaceful inspection".
Did you hear about the Greenpeace captain that got shot trying to stop a Japanese whaler. Was this another of their "peaceful inspections"?
Maltese fishermen do not use indiscriminate methods of fishing for tuna. Consequently Greenpeace should protest in a country that does. Their coming here only shows their arrogance at picking on a country that seems petrified opposing anything.
Their being here is a symbolic gesture aimed at other countries. Other countries where they would not dare carry out similar filth.
I would gladly accept a ban on springhunting, or the removal of a certain species due to its conservation status.
I would also welcome a ban on tunafishing if conservation is at stake.
However, this has to be backed by proper scientific studies, not GreenPeace or BirdlifeMalta, demands.
Also a ban has to be there for all not just Malta.
Hunting & fishing goes all over the world.
Even in the EU during spring, Spain hunt quails (the same quails the Maltese want to hunt in just for 30days in spring)365days a year & in the UK one can legally kill raptors
http://www.shooting.sh/shoot_quail_span.shtml
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/341596/New_guidance_to_help_control_protected_predators.html
People should see what is happening all over & not just in Malta
http://www.sportinggun.co.uk/news/252235/Police_fail_to_tackle_wildlife_crime_across_UK.html
& how other governmnets react
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/342137/Police_to_stop_monitoring_hunts_after_new_guidance_issued.html
Can the anties explain why:
1. Ban hunting or fishing in Malta when the activities go unabated in the rest of the EU?
2. Go for a ban which is not scientifically proven?
3. Don't they back their claims with scientific backing & not sensationalism?
4. Don't they publish their accounts, wages, and how they get their funding?
1st hunting, now tuna, whats next?
&they-ended-proven-wrong-in-the-end!!
Since when are Greenpeace authorized to carry out inspections on vessles? They should get arrested for boarding a vessle coming from outside EU territories before the clearance from Customs. What powers do they have? If this is acceptable, then the next time my lovely neighbour comes home, I will claim to be an environmentalist and inspect her underwear just to make sure it is not made from some protected animal skin!!! Dawn min jahsbu li huma, xi super heros jew!!
Between Malta and Libya there are over 180 miles of sea and space; enough to unload tons of illegalTuna on any factory ship!
Unfounded accusations should be, at the very least followed by an unreserved apology.
Can you find one instance were I condoned illegal hunting?
"It's people like you who irritate honest, law-abiding citizens who come to Malta to enjoy themselves" HOW MIGHT I ASK? BY PRACTICING HUNTING IN A PERFECTLY LEGAL MANNER.
Yes Mr. Farrugia my hunting does irritate you and probably a few foreigners that oppose hunting. But I can assure you that your irritation has become chronic ans will remain so.
Legal hunting is here to stay no matter how irritated anti-hunters, even those that occasionally eat meat as long as it not shot, feel about it.
You see Mr. Farrugia extremists have no place in civil society and that includes yourself and the fools from Greenpeace.
Anything legal can and will be practiced no matter how much it irritates you. That's because rational people realize that the anti hunting moans of the few fools do not justify banning legal sustainable hunting or fishing for that matter.
So if you want to make yourself useful why not join Greenpeace the "idealists". They leave tomorrow, or so I hear.
Before you excite yourself too much with statements such as NO ILLEGAL TUNA FOUND"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Wow that's a whole lot of of exclamation marks miss, you might want to read the article again - since no where is it stated that GP said that there is illegal tuna on board. They just asked the boat owners what they had on board when they suspected they might have tuna on board.
The Fisheries Department in a statement in the afternoon said that the boats had not been carrying any illegal tuna. The department said it was improving its administrative capacity through the engagement of more inspectors and over the past few days it acted to ensure that the national tuna quota was respected.
WE ARE ALL BEHIND YOU, IN SUPPORT TO OUR ENVIRONMENT AND AGAINST MONEY MAKERS AT ALL COSTS.
It was a Greenpeace Protester who climbed on Auberge de Castille and snapped a piece of Historical Sculpture .... was it ten years ago roughly?
Look at Tuna migration in the Med. As soon as the fish enter between Morocco and Spain, they are intercepted in huge numbers. By the time Tuna is near Malta, our fishermen have to contend with the pickings . If you wish to stop Tuna fishing in the Med, or anywhere, remove the biggest market from the equation - and that means Greenpeace protests in Japan. Keep me informed when that happens.
An observation on this incident: Tired workmen arrive in port and are about to knock off for some rest. Someone tries to invade their home - and it is someone who threatens their livelihood. HOW WOULD YOU, dear reader, REACT?
The fisherman defended there private property and had every right to do what they did.
If Greenpeace suspected and illegality they should have reported it to the authorities and not take the law in their hands.
To all those extremists who jumped the gun: COME ON GUYS, WE AWAIT YOUR APOLOGIES!!!! Readers should be respected. Enough with your blinkered comments!
The anti-hunting, the anti-fishing and Co appear to have a common factor: NON-FACTUAL accusations!!!!!
GP are becoming ECO terrorists breaking the law on several occasions.
If the fishermen had nothing to hide why did they refuse to say what is on board?
I think a world-recognsied NGO like Greenpeace have the right to a simple answer.
On seeing the latter part of the video it may be a major understatement to say that the fisherman in the red striped T shirt may have been "slightly overzealous" in applying his right to self defence!
It is not the Maltese fishermen who are depleting the fish stocks but fishermen from other eu member countries and the implementation of the CFP which allows fishermen to fish in other member countries waters.
As for fish stocks destruction, millions of tons are dumped annually in the North Sea notwithstanding that they are already dead when hauled on board because they cannot be landed because they are not according to eu CFP specifications. Then more fishing has to be carried out due to the dumping. So many millions of tons of fish were being dumped that the North Sea literally stunk because of the dead fish. This is the destruction being caused by the shortsightedness of the eu burocrats who have absolutely no idea what fishing is about and just issue regulations to justify their exorbitant salaries.
Have a look at the following
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7103363.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7102241.stm
http://10000birds.com/immoral-dumping-of-north-sea-fish.htm
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/fish-dumping823.html#cr
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/science/govt-seeks-end-fish-dumping-$1169128.htm
http://www.worldmaritimenews.com/article/Fishing/10366/dumping+north+sea+fish+immoral
http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/permaculture/2007-November/029490.html
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-05-03.asp
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/26102151
If that's not enough just google fish dumping in the north sea
A tiny country like Malta should be the last on the list for Greenpeace to protest in.
While I feel that GP may protest the way they do it is in breach if the law. Who the hell do they think they are to try to board a private vessel which is private property? They could have protested peacefully on shore. Remember the damage they had done to Castille when they scaled it? As I have already said the Spanish fishermen are known the world over for their massive destruction of fish stocks, but GP acting like that is no way to act in Malta.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI, tony miller, wally vella-zarb etc
Agree with you. If any Maltese citizen breaches our law s/he is booked. Being foreigners does not give them any more right to breach our laws and they should be booked. They have a right to protest and most of their protests have my support, but not by breaching our laws.
The anti-Greenpeace comments are rather shallow to say the least. Just think what will happen to our fisherman when there`s no more tuna in our waters. Besides, the Trawlers that GP wanted to board are foreign. The question one want to ask is; Why are they fishing in our waters? Why are they moored in our harbour? Greenpeace are doing a great job, we need to help them not judge them as some foreign busybodies. Well done GP.
"GP are not the "enemy", never have been, they are on the side of the ordinary people like me and you! " Please Mr C Laurenti keep them on your side as I do not need any nosy parkers or illegal intruders on my side!
I expect the Government together with the Police to start taking action against the NGO's whose only aim is to tarnish Malta's image and who also try to unlawfully play the 'police'. We have had CABS in April/May, now we are having Greenpeace!
He has a choice, either get condemned by the locals or by GP...
a typical lose. lose situation
I cannot believe how shortsighted some people are. There is a reason for protest... and a very valid one too.
If we carry on overfishing, what will our fishermen do in 10 yrs time ????
We are depleting our resources much faster than we can replenish.
Why not sign the Green Peace petition instead to held save the whales! Next time it will be a good idea if you do some basic research before cliking on your keyboard!
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/oceans/whaling/icelandic-whaling/ask-iceland-to-save-whales
Just because they are here now does not mean that they are picking on tiny paranoid Malta. They also protest against France, the USA, UK, Japan, Spain, Italy etc.
It seems that whenever anyone DARES suggest that the Maltese are doing something wrong, certain blinkered people cannot see the damage they are doing to thier country and the larger environment.
Illegalities in fishing happen all the time here. Last week, under the watch of the fishery inspectors, I saw juvenile swordfish being landed at Marfa, the inspector saying, ejja they're already dead.
Sometimes it needs an outside influence to effect change.
Why are the Maltese fishermen being scrutinised by GP when our fleet is so miniscule
compared to other countries' organised purse netting fishing flotillas?
Is the tuna rounded up and brought to our fish farms by foreign fishers added to the Malta catches?
@Claire Bonello....I think I'm not being paranoid enough! As far as I recall, Malta's 2009 quota is LESS THAN 300 TONS! You may argue that it's 300 tons too many.....but my point is that Greenpeace came HERE to do their posturing and demanding - not Spain, not France, not Libya etc.
Why not pick on good old tiny Malta? Easy meat. Cheap publicity. Birdlife do it. CABS do it. The RSPB do it. And now Greenpeace have climbed on the bandwagon.
Now we have heard them all!!!
DO NOT TRY TO DEVIATE FROM THE ARGUMENT – The question here is whether the GP action was legal or not. We are not debating the validity of fishing quotas and their regulation; those things should be left to the relevant authorities to establish and enforce.
You are preaching and commending anarchy!!!
Can you please post your addresses on the Blog because I there might be a lot of people out here who suspect that you might be running some clandestine illegal operation and would like to check out your properties. I bet you would meet us at the door and show us around!!!
Nobody has the right to take the law into his hands!! What differentiates this situation from the pirate attacks carried out off the horn of Africa?!
Shame on you all!!
Greenpeace are damaging Malta's image as it is being portrayed as the worst offender. The same can be said for these "ornithologists"
It about time Government acted on what the truth of the matter is all about. Malta is being targeted by these extremists since contrary to any other country, they find a willing and obliging government that even welcomes their presence and offers police assistance.
Does Government agree to such vile protests and defamatory misinformation? If not. it's about time it bared it's teeth!!
http://www.propertycenter.tv/blog/?p=76
http://puertogaleradive.com/blog//index.php?title=a_barbaric_whale_and_dolphin_killing_in_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/whale-dolphin-massacre-europe-2
http://bluepanjeet.net/2008/11/22/1594/the-horrible-whale-and-dolphin-massacre-tradition-of-faroe-islands-in-denmark/
"there is nothing wrong in having serious NGOs and responsible individuals stepping in to give a helping hand ."
Really? What about authorisation? Which legislation has given them a mandate to inspect vessels? What about the legal right to defend one's property? What about illegally boarding a vessel? This is called piracy. When a Spanish warship tried it on with a Korean cargo ship that it suspected was carrying tanks, Spain fell heavily on its diplomatic face. And this harassment was in international waters. Doing it in a country's harbours is flouting that country's law and order - apart from being an act of violence upon the country in which the vessel is registered and of whose territory said vessel is considered an extension. I would now expect the activists to be formally charged in our courts for violation of private property.
Who the hell do they think they are??
Just to get a record straight, please be aware that as an ex-Greenpeace official myself, where I proudly co-ordinated the Med region for a number of years before resigning from my own accord, I can assure you that GP dod what they do merely to bring an environmental adverse matter to the public's attention - "The Right To Know" as GP put it.
May I also remind everyone of all the good that GP and other similar NGOs have done in the past to uncover what would have gone unreported incidents in the past? remember the Kronvokin oil dumping story? This was only brought to the general publis's attention thanks to GP as many other matters.
GP are not the "enemy", never have been, they are on the side of the ordinary people like me and you! GP never cause damage or harm to anyone else or property and do what they do as a result of various authorities not bothering to take action!
Carlo Laurenti
The problem with these organisations is that they too are individuals who can make mistakes. Read the above link to see what a great U-Turn this ex-Greenpeace activist did when weighing and really thinking about what he protested about.
Sensationalising an issue does not solve problems, and this is undoubtedly the road this issue will go down, just as what happened with Spring Hunting and all the lies that Birdlife have posted over the past few years.
Claire Bonello, Paranoia huh? Its more a case of the pot calling the kettle black if anything, once again look closer to home before pointing fingers at tiny Malta.
The fish roam free in the sea, and the birds fly free in the sky - no one 'owns' them, and they are just as much Italian, French, Spanish, or African, etc., as Maltese.
When the waters around Malta are 'fished out' then the fishing boats go to fish African waters (this is happening now) - are these fish owned by Africa - No.
Protests make a noise - but then when the controls that have been painstakingly negotiated are ignored - then direct action is a must.
But it seems in Malta we're all used to beat around the bush! I eagerly await what Pullicino and his accommodating Ministry will have to say - after the lengths they went to try and patch up the abuses by the tuna "industry" operators.
Hope also that whoever punched the GP activist will be prosecuted – as surely it was not a matter of self defense.
To my knowledge, fishermen have a legal obligation to stick to quantifiable quotas if Tuna is to remain sustainable- this acceptable the world over and Europe is especially vigilant on Tuna stocks in a special way because of their vulerbaility and the high risk of extinction thus Greenpeace activists have done nothing wrong by simply asking about the nature of the catch. What do you want ! another Dodo ?
If the fishermen had nothing to hide they had no reason to retaliate the way they did.
These comments give me the impression that some of us Maltese pretend we are not accountable to no one, as if all nature belongs to us and poor those who just dare to even question us about anything under the sun.
Thus, if the authorities are not coping to halt bad practices such as overfishing, fishing of endangered species, illegal hunting , abusive countryside developments, air-pollution controls and 101 other things where our environment is going haywire, there is nothing wrong in having serious NGOs and responsible individuals stepping in to give a helping hand .
Yes - you are being paranoid
Malta is not being picked upon or singled out for attention by American bullies. Greenpeace is an international organisation comprising people of different nationalities and it has protested in many other countries, including Turkey.....look at their website to see the organizations different campaigns and protests. There are no wild claims being made here - there is the simple fact that tuna will soon become extinct if the rate of fishing remains what it is.
but as wiser people coined the phrase two wrongs do not make a right I shall use it
GP have a just cause but in civilised countries we have laws and due processes should always be observed. Acting so arrogantly i.e. boarding ships ala barbarossa will win them and their cause no friends
Am I getting paranoid here, or is anyone else getting the feeling that Malta is simply a convenient target for these environmentalist groups? The same tactics as the anti-hunters......wild claims, trespassing, demands galore etc etc.
Go hassle some other country, Greenpeace, preferably one where the REAL damage is being done.
Protesters from USA, go see what your country is doing in Iraq and in Guantanamo. Uk protesters, go solve your knife crime and embarrassing political situation. Australia, your country hunted aboriginal people!!!! And to take the biscuit, Lebanon, arent there enough problems in your own country?
This can easily turn out to be another situation where Malta is victimised, exactly in the same way it has been victimised by Birdlife and Co. The same lies and propaganda will be used to put Malta in a bad light with tourists etc etc to harm us.
There are several other problems in this world that need attention, whatever happens on or around tiny Malta cannot possibly have such an affect on the rest of the world!!!!!!
@ Edwin Mifsud - Greenpeace is an environmental organization, not one which is involved in immigration control. Are you suggesting that all associations including your local bocci club take to the high seas instead of going about reaching the aims for which they were set up?
If GreenPeace really wants things to change it should start communicating in civilised ways and offering real information to people... protests are a waste of energy and money and give the impression that GreenPeace only does what it does just for show, not to make a change!
you are wrong.
GP do not have anything to hide.
on the contrary,,,,it is an open secret that MANY fishermen do. it is a fact.
therefore,,,, as there is this VERY REAL threat of stock depletion of many species of fish in the mediterranean,,,, we should be happy that there is an organisation that takes this endevour.
we should favor and encourage the law abiders and not the law breakers of this world. the same applies for fishing around the maltese coast and especially spear-fishing with scuba equipment.
unfortunately,,,, this pressure has to be exerted as otherwise, the powers that be let everything go on as if nothing is wrong.
If they continue to fish like they are doing there is one thing for sure gonna happen in the next few years: No work because there will not be any fish left, our seas are slowly dying, why do you think the Med is full of jelly fish?
Well done.
But of course, tomorrow there will be fewer fish, not more, and while every fisherman believes he is not the problem (it is always the other guy), nothing will change.
Eventually there will be so few fish, that commercial fishing becomes a distant memory, and those who 'fished out' their seas will have to accept they were part of the problem, and it was not the actions of Greenpeace, or the government, or the fisheries minister, or the man in the street - the fishermen are the ones driving 'fish and fishing' to extinction.
As I have always insisted, first it was hunting and trapping, now it is fishing - WHAT WILL BE NEXT?!!!!!!!!
What right do you have to demand access to a sea vessel? If anything illegal was going on you should have alerted the authourities.
One of the Americans tried to force his way on the boats. So why do you call your organization greenPEACE?
Use your time better by blocking illegal immigrant's access to leave Lybia.
So you are in favour of unsustainable fishing and the further depletion of limited fishing stock are you? Greenpeace are doing a great job in informing us that care about the planet that we live on about the commercial greed that still goes one despite the dwindling reserves. Any one supporting that are, in my opinion, selfish individuals who have no concern for the future and their children and grand-children. Carry on Greenpeace, you are doing a first rate job.
GOOD
What did he expect flowers ?