Spain wants to 'harden' sanctions against bunkering in the bay; Minister's connections with the practice

Bunkering in the bay

GIBRALTAR Bunkering, the supply of fuel to ships at sea, is one of Gibraltar's most lucrative marine services. A couple of days ago, the Spanish Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Miguel Arias Cañete, announced that Spain was looking into creating sanctions against the practice under present tensions about fishing and territorial waters and warships headed for the Rock. An article dated February 2, 2012, in Europa Sur, said that 32.3% of all bunkering carried out for Spanish ports in 2011 happened in the Bay of Algeciras (a.k.a. Bay of Gibraltar). More recently, it was announced that several Spanish companies had bid for bunkering services through the Algeciras Port Authority - that is, not via Gibraltar, but offering the same services. One of these companies>>>

Minister asked about his connections with bunkering firm

Miguel Arias Cañete
Minister of Agriculture, Food and
Environment

Arias Cañete resigned a month after becoming minister

MADRID (Agencies) The Opposition in Parliament is requesting the presence of Miguel Arias Cañete, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, to explain his connection to a bunkering firm because, if it is confirmed, it would be a 'very serious conflict of interest', according to a PSOE spokesperson. The Gibraltar Chronicle says that the matter has drawn political attention after Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Margallo’s remarks last week that the Spanish Government would regulate bunkering activities and implement other environmental protection measures in its EU approved nature protection (SCI) site in local waters, itself the subject of a diplomatic row and legal challenge by Britain and Gibraltar in Europe.

Gibraltar authorizes bunkering on East side, 'in good weather and light'

GIBRALTAR (EuropaSur) After much debate on either side of the Frontier, Gibraltar is authorizing bunkering on the East side of the Rock, but only in daylight, in good lighting and weather. The measure is aimed at boosting Gibraltar's important bunkering business. The Port Authority Handbook points out that Government first mooted the prospect in June last year, following an Environmental Impact report on the possibility, providing the same precautionary measures were taken as on the Western side. The final go-ahead is based on a new vigilance system presented recently;>