The ban on recreational fishing from the beach during daylight hours between Vilamoura and Vila Real de Santo Antóio will be dropped from the legislation.
The Minister of the Environment has responded to the Left Bloc request that the proposed ban on recreational fishing during the day should be removed, mainly on the grounds of silliness.
In a statement, using as many words as possible, the ministry responded formally to the left Bloc by stating in th best Civil Service jargon,
"Finding a balance between the Portuguese Environment Agency and the results of public participation, it was found that the section of text that forbade recreational fishing off the beach between sunrise and sunset resulted in an increase in restrictions on the practice of the activity and did not correspond to an actual desire." (i.e. no one wanted it, so what's the point?)
João Vasconcelos from the Left Bloc said “well done” and welcomed the move, saying simply that the government had "showed good judgment to ensure there is no negative impact for recreational fishermen or for the shops that sell fishing gear."
The recreational fishing daytime ban was contained in an amendment to the Regulations of the Coastal Zone Management Plan Vilamoura - Vila Real de Santo António (POOC), athough quite why, nobody is sure.
The ban of course caused the maximum annoyance possible to recreational fishermen and fishing associations, including the Regional Association of Sport Fishing Algarve (ARPDA).
The Left Bloc’s Vasconcelos came to the rescue and once again the simple pleasure of fishing off the beach can be enjoyed by the public without fear or arrest - you still need a license though...
