The Self Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG), in conjunction with Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), is pleased to announce the programme of events for this year’s National Day, to be held on Tuesday 10th September at Casemates Square, John Mackintosh Square and Governor’s Parade.
Last week, Customs Officers disrupted a cigarette exportation operation that involved eight men. The men were intercepted at the northern end of eastern beach road whilst in the process of running towards the frontier fence carrying master cases of cigarettes.
When challenged by Customs Officers, the men discarded the cases and fled into the sea. The Gibraltar Defence Police attended in support of the HMC operation with a presence at the east end of the airfield.
Following the passing of a regulation last year, restricting ship-to-ship operations to port territorial waters, Minister Neil Costa today insisted that there has been no drop in transfers. He insisted that there had actually been an increase in transfers this year, with 9 being carried out last month.
Introducing the safe code of practice for ship-to-ship transfers, Captain of the Port Roy Stanbrook explained that he hopes the Port of Gibraltar’s regulation of ship-to-ship transfers will become an exemplar for all other port. The Captain noted that Gibraltar acts as an attractive destination for ship to ship transfers with it strong regulatory framework.
Commenting on the address made by Dr. Chris Tydeman, the Chairman of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum, in his evidence before the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, last week, the Government has claimed that the information given by Dr. Tydeman reflects information available to him as a result of the work he has done for the Government of Gibraltar. They insist that no issue has been taken with the scientific information given by Dr. Tydeman during his address.
The Government does note that the opinion of Dr. Tydeman as to the role of His Excellency the Governor, and the manner in which he has acted in relation to the issue of illegal incursions into Gibraltar Territorial Waters, with regards to the fishing dispute, is incorrect.