Amateur fisherman says there’s nothing to fear from referendum

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Amateur fisherman and author Stanley Farrugia Randon gave a press conference at a popular leisure fishing location at Bugibba Jetty to explain why fishermen had nothing to fear from a referendum on spring hunting.

“Fishermen know how to ensure that the fish they catch do not affect the fish they will catch in the future. This is because we do not go fishing during the breeding season,” Dr Stanley Farrugia Randon said, arguing that fishermen already behave responsibly by not catching fish that are breeding.

“Rules and regulations are already in place to ensure fishermen behave sustainably, fishing at certain times and only using certain equipment.”

Contrasting the behaviour of fishermen with that of hunters, Farrugia Randon said, “Hunters should follow the lead of fishermen and not hunt in spring when birds are about to lay eggs and breed.  This is what is meant by sustainability.”

Farrugia Randon also mentioned a legal opinion about fishing produced by lawyer Mark Bencini. “Dr Bencini’s legal opinion makes it absolutely clear that we fishermen have nothing to fear from the spring hunting referendum.  This is because we already act responsibly and fishing is regulated by law and not allowed by it. This is the opposite of spring hunting.”

Bencini also attended the press conference to present his legal opinion. “I undertook a detailed analysis of the rules and regulations surrounding leisure fishing in Malta.  My analysis clearly shows that a referendum on fishing would remove the regulations that exist, so fishermen have nothing to fear from a referendum.”

Farrugia Randon is author of several books about fishing, including Fishing in Malta, which examines its history.