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Vol. 3 Issue 57 www.gibraltarolivepress.com November 8th - November 21st 2017
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November Miss Teen 8th - November 21st 2017 Gibraltar, Mrs Wedding Dress and Mrs Europe. Whatever next in the long-running saga of Gibraltar’s pageant obsession?
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Pageant Power, see page 6 PUIGDEMONT: On bail
Stand off THE Belgian authorities have up to two weeks to decide if they are to extradite Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain. A judge released the acting president on bail after he handed himself in to police when a European arrest warrant had been issued. He and four other politicians are accused over charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust. Following a long 10-hour Sunday court ruling he was not deemed a flight risk and will continue to live in Brussels for now.
Fears Given the whole extradition process can take up to 60 days, it means he may have to run his entire election campaign for the Catalan European Democratic Party from Belgium. His party wants him to fight for continued leadership of the regional parliament in the December 21 elections. Puigdemont has consistently said he refuses to return to Spain because he fears he will not get a fair trial and under the current charges could face up to 30 years in jail. Plans for a general strike in Catalunya are being drawn up for this week, while a mass protest is being planned for next Monday.
Fishermen demand urgent action after continual incursions into Gib water by Spanish fishing vessels
NET-MARE! STAND-OFF: Police intercept a Spanish boat, while (right) a map shows one such incursion
FURIOUS Gibraltarians are demanding stronger action as Spanish fishing boats continue to abuse the Rock’s territorial waters on ‘a daily’ basis’. An investigation by the Gibraltar Olive Press has discovered that one boat, the Virgen Carmen I, entered Gibraltarian waters at least seven times last month alone. According to the 1958 Geneva Convention on territorial waters this activity is firmly forbidden, with a three mile coastal zone around Gibraltar clearly under British sovereignty.
EXCLUSIVE By Joe Wallen
Local fishermen argue that Spain has a more than ample 4,964km coastline and boats like the Virgen Carmen are clearly flaunting the rules to antagonise Gibraltarian fishermen The boat was spotted fishing on October 4, 5, 9, 11, 17, 19 and 24 off Eastside, but also at Western Mole. Many other Spanish vessels have also been spotted operating illegally in Gibraltarian wa-
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ters in October, including the Nuevo Leon. A former RGP policeman Michael Sanchez fears that a ‘dangerous standoff’ is imminent and could lead to a serious incident. “Things could get heated quickly and people could get injured,” said Sanchez, who now monitors the movements of ships in Gibraltarian waters. He claims the slightest confrontation could lead to unwanted heightened political tension between the two territories. Another maritime source con-
firmed to the Olive Press there was currently a ‘very dangerous’ climate over fishing rights. “Spain refuses to take her claim over our territorial waters to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,” he said. “The country prefers to use the Law of Force instead of the Force of Law. This has led to very dangerous situations at sea.” The illegal floating nets used by the Virgen Carmen I and other Spanish boats can damage Gibraltarian fishing vessels and local habitats. Spanish boats do not follow Gibraltarian fishing quotas that ensure sustainability. “Gibraltar has strict environmental rules,” said the source in the yachting industry, who asked to remain anonymous. “Illegal Spanish fishing in Gibraltar is directly contributing to the continued depletion of endangered species, such as the white grouper and the European eel.” Much of the fury from local fishermen stems from being fined for fishing illegally while Spanish fishermen seem to get
away with a slap on the wrist. “The most I have seen is our police going up to a boat and telling them to leave,” said Michael Sanchez. “But that has no effect as they just come back later. “Gibraltarian waters need to be protected. And it needs to be done now!” When contacted the government claimed it was doing all it could to stop the incursions. “The Environmental Protection Unit regularly challenges persons regardless of nationality,” a spokesman said. “Spanish fishing vessels are regularly challenged when in our waters, with a number of cases currently being processed. “We cannot catch everyone who breaks our laws every time they break them regardless of their nationality and some, regrettably get away with it.” In July last year, Spain arrested three Gibraltarian fishermen accused of fishing in their local waters, leading to mass protests on the Rock. Opinion Page 6