Fishing as usual in disputed waters

Fishing boat headed
for disputed waters this morning.
(Photo: europasur.es)

GIBRALTAR/SPAIN As we reported here (Fishing fleet fears problems with Gibraltar), there is an ongoing problem with Gibraltar about fishing rights and/or the disputed territoriality of the waters surrounding the Rock. Local fishing fleets have been wary of heading for these waters in case they were stopped/arrested/removed by the Gibraltarian authorities. However, at 5.30 yesterday morning, the small fleet based at La Línea, went out to their jobs in those very waters without incident. The Spanish Secretary for Fishing, Carlos Domínguez, came to Algeciras on Sunday to tell the fishermen to do their jobs in those waters, despite the ban established by Gibraltar. Rock authorities are holding their position and continue to block entry by Spanish fishing vessels since talks broke down a couple of months ago, when Gibraltar decided unilaterally to rescind a 1999 agreement to the contrary. A meeting between Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and La Línea Mayor Gemma Araujo is scheduled this afternoon aimed at bringing the dispute to an end.