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‘ŽUVININKŲ RŪMAI’ THE ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS
To: L. Kerosierius on demand, Central Post Office, Vilnius, phone: +370 674
38465, e-mail: leonaslabora@gmail.com
TO HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
To His Eminence Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis
To His Eminence Cardinal Sigitas Tamkevičius
To His Excellency President of the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference Mr.
Gintaras Grušas
TO THE CONGREGATION
To His Excellency President of the Republic of Lithuania Mr. Gitanas Nausėda
To Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen
To Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Ingrida Šimonytė
To Chairman of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Mr.
Gabrielius Landsbergis
To the members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
To the media
To Her Excellency President of the European Commission Ms. Ursula von der
Leyen
To His Excellency President of the European Council Mr. Charles Michel
To His Excellency President of the European Parliament Mr. David Sassoli
To His Excellency Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation
of the United Nations QU Dongyu
To Members of the European Parliament
This letter is to be sent all the Leaders, Speakers of Parliaments, Prime
Ministers, and the media of all the countries that Lithuania has diplomatic
relations with.
A P P E A L
REGARDING ACTIVITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS
Vilnius. 09.03.2021
We are writing this letter to you from Lithuania, the motherland of Emilija
Kačerauskaitė, the Lithuanian mom of Blessed John Paul, the country of book
smugglers, rebels, and freedom fighters, where we had the honour to pray
with Your Holiness and be blessed by you on 22–23 September 2018.
With great concern and apologies for wasting your time, we are appealing to
your Holiness wishing to inform that 11.12.2020, the Seimas of the Republic
of Lithuania adopted a resolution approving the programme of the Government,
Paragraph 12.5.2 of which states ‘Aquaculture is to be the main source of
fish supply. Commercial fishing shall be banned, preserving national
heritage and tourism activities and involving the coastal community in
resource management and conservation processes. Issues of fish farming, sea
and coastal fishing shall be transferred to the competence of the Ministry
of Environment’.
WE NOTE that following the parliamentary election, which took place in
autumn of 2020, a ruling majority of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
was formed consisting of a coalition of 3 parties: the Homeland Union –
Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD, hereinafter referred to as the
Christian Democrats): 49 mandates, the Lithuanian Liberal Movement Party: 12
mandates, the Freedom Party: 11 mandates.
There are 3,000 lakes, 1,500 ponds, and 29,000 rivers, streams, and canals
in Lithuania. The Law on Fisheries only allows commercial fishing based on
the findings of water body research in bodies larger than 200 ha. There are
99 such bodies. Up until 2013, The Ministry of Environment would allocate to
businessmen catch limits for roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench,
rudd, zander, or white bream in about 40 of these bodies.
We hereby provide information on allocation of the 2011 catch limits (Curonian
Lagoon excluded) for commercial fishing of roach, perch, crucian carp, pike,
bream, tench, rudd, zander, and white bream:
No.
Name of
group of bodies
Area
of bodies
(ha) Limit set by the Minister of Environment (kg):
Total Of which:
Pike Tench Bream Zander
1. State-owned water bodies: 21,026.3: 14 bodies
142,240 4,805 2,525 22,880 200
2. Leased bodies: 5,956.4: 27 bodies
26,488 3,709 2,076 5,461 250
TOTAL: 26,982.7:
41 bodies 168,728 8,514 4,601 28,341 450
WE DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT that the Minister of Environment
allocated catch limits of averagely 6.25 kg of fish per hectare (168,728 kg
: 26.982.7 ha = 6.25 kg) when according to research, 1 ha contained around
20 kg of commercial fish.
Without providing any arguments or explanations and in absence of FORCE
MAJEURE circumstances, the Ministers of Environment have barred commercial
fishermen and lessees from catching roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream,
tench, rudd, zander, and white bream in, as of 01.01.2013, the Kaunas
Lagoon, and, as of 01.01.2015, in state-owned lakes and ponds. Lithuania is
the only country in the WORLD, where AUTHORITIES have banned commercial
fishing by law. NO FISHERMAN HAS BEEN PAID A SINGLE CENT FOR THE LOSSES
INCURRED while those governing Lithuania have been and continue to be radio
silent about the situation.
In 2017, commercial fishermen of Lithuania caught the following amounts of
fish: in remote fisheries areas: 69,817 tonnes, in the Baltic Sea and its
nearshore: 18,865 tonnes, including 1,729 tonnes of cod, in the Curonian
Lagoon: 963 tonnes; 57 tonnes of smelt was caught in the Curonian Lagoon and
the lower reaches of the Nemunas, about 100 tonnes of vendace, smelt, and
other fish was caught in polders and lakes while aquaculture/pond farms
accounted for 3,737 tonnes, 78 percent of which was constituted by carp. It
should be noted that the Curonian Lagoon takes up around 22 percent of the
total area of the waters and accounts for about 90 percent of the fish
caught.
IT SHOULD BE KNOW that around 8 million Euros are made available through the
state budget every year for fishery management and control, fish farming,
and research and protection of water bodies – THE LION’S SHARE OF THE FUNDS
goes to a mere several hundred thousand amateur fishermen for ACCOMODATING A
HOBBY.
During the elections to the Seimas in the autumn of 2020, various agitation
measures were used to despise fishermen entrepreneurs and ban the fishing
business.
We present the election campaign leaflet of the Homeland Union - Lithuanian
Christian Democratic Party (TS-LKD), in which the second leader of the left
TS-LKD party I. Šimonytė and other Christian Democrats campaign to destroy
commercial fishing FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING NO! When this is done by the
leader of the Christian Democratic Party I. Šimonytė (No. 1), the former
presidential candidate, nearby celebrities of the same party A. Gedvilienė
(No. 20), M. Majauskas (No. 16) and the Ambassador, the former Commander of
the Lithuanian Armed Forces General Major A. Pocius (No. 31), as some voters
may have trusted in their good wishes for their loved ones to enter the
Seimas.
But in fact, these were elements of black technology in the election hunt.
This campaign sheet is based on the sheet that was prepared by “Salmon Diary
“ and aimed to despice fishermen entrepreneurs. Christian Democrats rushed
into the government Olymp through the corpses of fishermen’s entrepreneurs.
During the election campaign to the Seimas, the Christian Democrats used the
blackest technologies of contempt, defamation and dirt spreading of
fishermen's entrepreneurs without any explanation or argument. They did not
use the officially announced and discussed results of water research
provided by the Lithuanian Fisheries Council, which includes 3 state prize
winners, doctors of science, fishermen entrepreneurs, amateur fishermen and
representatives of state institutions. But instead, the Christian Democrats
used the interpretations of their money-backed association “ Salmon Diary”
to despise fishermen entrepreneurs. IT IS KNOWN that the Christian Democrat
L. Andrikienė received 8.5 thousand. and I. Šimonytė 1.5 thousand euros from
GRIGEO for the election, in the event of a scandal, they handed over the
money to the association "Salmon Diary", which by blackening fishermen
entrepreneurs agitated for Christian Democrats, who explained( during their
election campaign) that they would ban commercial fishing. Under
international law and practice, money received wrongly or received from
non-transparent sources must be returned to the state budget, which decides
how to deal with it. In this case, the Christian Democrats used
non-transparent money for their election campaign to defame and despise
fishermen-entrepreneurs and to demand a PROHIBITION OF COMMERCIAL FISHING,
and to agitate more voter votes.
The resolution regarding ban of commercial fishing, initiated by the
Christian Democrats and adopted by the votes of those in power on
11.12.2020, is BEYOND ONE’S COMPREHENSION as:
1. All countries around the world set limits (quotas) for oceans and seas by
carrying out scientific research.
2. Limits for commercial fishing in the Curonian Maroon are set during
annual cross-border sessions of institutions of Lithuania and the
Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation, which consist of
representatives of public authorities, scientists, and fishermen. Based on
results of research, they set the following limits for 2021: 480 tonnes for
bream, 110 tonnes for zander, and 570 tonnes for smelt. Similar limits were
approved for 2020 as well. Lithuanian fishermen did not catch the amount of
tonnes set forth by the limits. IT SHOULD BE NOTED that the cross-border
commission acts under the authorisations of the Government of Lithuania and
on the basis of international diplomacy. We have never heard of cases of the
President’s Office, the Seimas, or the Government submitting their comments
to the Commission. We have had the honour of being members of said
Commission. It is a very responsible mission as one needs to prepare in
advance, coordinate the material, and defend the interests of Lithuania.
Some people believe that all waters should be bursting with fish, like a
bath after a good fishing trip. IT IS A KNOWN FACT that water bodies should
be as filled with fish as the biological, biological, natural and
preservation measures allow. Scientists researching fish stock set the
so-called COMMERCIAL FISH LIMIT per HECTARE and per whole body. 1 ha of
inland waters of Lithuania contains about 20 kg of commercial fish. Before
01.01.2013, the Ministry of Environment, when allocating catch limits for
inland waters for roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench, rudd,
zander, or white bream, would allocate to commercial fishermen 5 to 7 kg per
hectare in around 40 water bodies (see the table at the bottom of the text,
for more detail, see the table on www.fisheryabc.eu: “26-07-2020 ‘IN THE
FACE OF COVID-19’.The remaining commercial fish, 13 to 15 kg per hectare, is
left to amateur fishermen, extended reproduction, or natural death. IT
SHOULD BE NOTED that on 07.04.2017, the current Minister of Agriculture K.
Navickas, serving as Minister of Environment at that time, OFFICIALLY
CLAIMED that the total biomass of fish in 384 researched lakes and ponds had
increased by 1.5 times throughout 2011–2016 while the average fish weight
had grown by around 1.3–1.4 times and that there had also been a significant
increase in fish ever since. Meanwhile, AMATEUR FISHMERMEN are able to fish
all year round in ALL of the 33,500 water bodies for either 14 Euros or for
free.
Lithuania is a verylake-rich country. Under the recommendations of the
European Union, 12 fisheries areas were established, with the EU allocating
a budget of 11.8 million Euros to their activities. THE LITHUANIAN
GOVERNMENT bars commercial businessmen of the lake regions from catching a
single roach, perch, bream, or white bream, even though, as Minister K.
Navickas has previously claimed, the fish stocks are abundant. Among the
spokesmen for commercial fishing banners, the voice of the Christian
Democrat K. Navickas has been particularly loud since 2016.
Inland fish stocks are used for accommodating the hobby of around 200,000
amateur fishermen and about 2.7 million Lithuanian citizens that purchase
fish at the shops that has been supplied by commercial fishermen. The
Christian Democrats are claiming there is not enough of fish in the water
bodies for amateur fishermen. HAVING IN MIND that amateur fishermen fish in
all the water bodies, the problem should be solved by DRASTICALLY BANNING
ANY FISHING until fish stocks reach the level desired by amateur fishermen
as the country does not have large artificial fish stocking resources. The
Lithuanian leaders are barring entrepreneurs, who had previously been
fishing in 40 lakes, from fishing while Lithuania boasts around 33,500 water
bodies.
Both commercial and amateur fishermen catch around 1,000 tonnes of fish in
the Curonian Lagoon a year. About 1,000 more tonnes are caught by
cormorants. IT MUST BE ASSUMED that GRIGEO and other polluters caused a
great deal of damage, then why did the Christian Democrats and their
partners DECIDE TO BAN COMMERCIAL FISHING as amateurs, businessmen, and
cormorants all fish in the Curonian Lagoon, but it is GRIGEO that are
killing the fish? They did not even bother identifying the components of the
48 million Euros damage caused by GRIGEO as GRIGEO sponsored TS-LKD with
10,000 Euros during the election. They’d rather blame commercial fishermen
as it helped them get additional votes.
See www.fisheryabc.eu for more information.
This Seimas resolution baffled commercial fishermen, their families,
business partners, lawyers, scientists, and specialists as the draft was
submitted for consideration in the Seimas with no explanations or arguments.
WE DRAW YOUR ATTENTION to the fact that in the face of the COVID-19
pandemic, leaders of all the countries of the world allocate millions of
millions for helping businesses, creating jobs, and reducing social
exclusion and strive to create a helpful atmosphere of communication. The
Christian Democrats and their partners, having decided to ban commercial
fishing, are torturing commercial fishermen, their families, and their
business partners. They do not invite business representatives to their
meetings.
Since March 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, open institutional
communication has been prohibited and activities have been run remotely.
Many had to purchase special equipment and become accustomed to working
remotely. KNOWING that about 100 jobs had been cut at the Ministry of
Agriculture due to its reorganisation and transfer from Vilnius to Kaunas,
on 04.01.2021, we appealed to the Christian Democrat Minister K. Navickas,
asking to lend, sell, or lease us suitable equipment (a computer with
special equipment and programmes and a multiplier with scanning equipment)
for remote communication, guaranteeing advance payment. The
Minister/Ministry ignored our request. On 17.02.2021, we appealed to the
Christian Democrat leader, Prime Minister I. Šimonytė, with a similar
request, having added the copies of our letters to K. Navickas. On
24.12.2021, Chancellor of the Government G. Balčytytė explained in writing
that she was unable to help. IT SHOULD BE KNOWN that the Ministry of
Agriculture and the Government use a vast arsenal of special equipment, hire
repairmen and maintainers of said equipment with the highest qualifications,
and control immense budgetary funds. IT MUST BE ASSUMED that the highest
institutions, run by the Christian Democrats, are doing their best to
prevent representatives of commercial businessmen from properly
participating in the activities of the Seimas committees, working groups of
the Government, and the Ministry’s social partners and from adequately
defending the interests of commercial fishermen.
Due to what we perceive as immoral actions of the Christian Democrats and
their partners, many organisations of commercial fishermen have appealed to
the President’s Office, the Seimas, the Government, politicians, ministers,
lawyers, and specialists. HOWEVER, THOSE IN POWER are instead gathering to
discuss the implementation of the 11.12.2020 resolution within various
institutions and closed political get-togethers, trying to deal with
commercial fishermen as soon as possible.
LITHUANIA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WHERE COMMERCIAL FISHING IS ABOUT
TO BE BANNED BY LAW.
On December 30, 2020, knowing the resolution of the Seimas of December 11,
2020 on the prohibition of commercial fishing, we asked President G.
Nausėdas to accept representatives of fishermen's entrepreneurs, scientists,
specialists for conversation and to consult. On January 6, 2021, A. Bogušinė,
Head of the Presidency Division, wrote to us: “Taking into account your
requests and questions, we forwarded your requests to the Ministry of
Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture. These institutions will answer
you according to their competence. ”Neither the Minister of the Environment
of the Liberal Movement S. Gentvil nor the Minister of Agriculture of the
Christian Democrats K. Navickas, according to the letters sent to them by
the Presidency, answered the representatives of fishermen and did not
respond to the letter.
Those governing Lithuania should realise and strive to make sure that the
blue areas bring as much benefit to the Lithuanian population as possible.
There have been proposals put forward in regard to this matter, BUT THOSE IN
POWER SHOWED COMPLETELY NO INTEREST.
On 03.02.2021, we appealed to every member of the Seimas in writing and by
e-mail asking to answer questions concerning many entrepreneurs regarding
the 11.12.2020 Seimas resolution. In the 4-page letter (hereby attached), we
laid down the situation prior to the 11.12.2020 Seimas resolution banning
commercial fishing, asking to explain the benefits and losses Lithuania is
going to incur as a result, as well as the losses Lithuanian people are
going to experience not being able to purchase fish supplied to the shops by
the entrepreneurs. We hoped that, according to the requirements of the
Constitution and law, we would receive answers from all the members of the
Seimas within a month. We have received 6 replies so far, including a letter
from a Christian Democrat A. Bilotaitė.
With our letter ‘Regarding Political Repression against Commercial
Fishermen’, dated 12.02.2021, we appealed to the Lithuanian leaders,
responsible authorities, politicians, and the media (hereby attached). WE
HAVE NOTICED that the initiators of eradication of commercial fishing, using
the 11.12.2020 Seimas resolution as a cover, are completely ignoring the
proposals put forward and our requests for a meeting.
Who will defend the humiliated and the downtrodden?
About what we write in this letter and more than once and even in 10 years,
about 150 letters have been written to Lithuanian and European leaders, the
most responsible institutions, politicians, specialists and the media (see
www.fisheryabc.eu).
By addressing Your Holiness, we also inform the hierarchs and believers of
the Lithuanian Catholic Church, the leaders of the most responsible
institutions of the European Union and heads of state of the world, as well
as Lithuanian leaders, fishermen and the media, hoping to be heard and
understood, as the ban on commercial fishing was not practiced in ANY
COUNTRY in the WORLD by a parliamentary resolution. The most interesting
thing is that the Seimas on 11-12-2020. by its resolution did not prohibit
alcoholism, drugs and psychotropic substances, theft, violence, murder,
corruption. We hope that the ruling Christian Democrats, together with the
coalition partners, will realize that they have acted in a non-Christian way
by destroying the fishing business, which has come down from the ages and
has not committed any crime. REMEMBER that the holy apostles Andrew, Peter,
Zenius, Magnius caught fish with nets to feed the hungry.
WE CONSIDER that catch limits should be set:
In long-distance fleets, by average catch over the last 5 years.
In the Baltic Sea and the Coast - according to the average catch of the last
5 years, excluding cod.
Dealing with fishermen exit from business.
In the Curonian Lagoon - according to the average catch of the last 5 years.
In the Curonian Lagoon and in the lower reaches of the Nemunas, 570 t should
be allocated for catching smelt. limits.
In polders and lakes, the amount of Coregonus albula, smelt and other fish
is determined on the basis of the average catch of the last 5 years.
In lakes, Kaunas Lagoon, Kruonis Upper Basin, ponds and leased reservoirs,
the limits for 2021 have been set at the level of 2011 according to the
table provided in the morning letter. From 2022, 2023, 2024 to approve
limits in order to increase the catch limits by 100 tons annually.
Set limits for fishing pike, pikeperch, tench and bream.
Proposals from all social partners and amateur fishermen should be
considered.
In order to significantly increase fish stocks, fishing should be banned as
a matter of urgency until 1 July, artificial spawning grounds should be set
up and water bodies should be protected.
WE HOPE that the Christian Democrats in the Seimas will realize that they
have mistaken, were misled or specifically misled others and have violated
the oath of a member of the Seimas when they swore by putting their hand on
the Constitution and did not keep the 10 COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
DEAR SIRS, seeking to ban commercial fishing, organizing bans, and who stood
shoulder to shoulder with them, think that tortured by disease and pain,
disaster, pre-mortal convulsions, and the agony of death, you may realize
you have acted disrespectfully. Therefore, for personal motives and group
interests, let us not do or wish evil to others.
PLACE UNDER THE SUN MUST BE ENOUGH FOR FISHING AMATEURS AND ENTREPRENEURS,
because GOD has created fish for all to eat.
President of ‘Žuvininkų Rūmai’ The Alliance of Associations Leonas
Kerosierius
e-mail: leonaslabora@gmail.com www.fisheryabc.eu
PRIEDAS Nr. 1
‘ŽUVININKŲ RŪMAI’ THE ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS
To: L. Kerosierius on demand, Central Post Office, Vilnius, phone: +370 674
38465,
e-mail: leonaslabora@gmail.com
To member of the Seimas Dear
We ask for your opinion REGARDING THE BAN ON COMMERCIAL FISHING.
This document is delivered to you by registered regular post and e-mail.
Vilnius, 03.02.2021
On 11.12.2020, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania decided TO BAN
COMMERCIAL FISHING.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Since 2007, politicians have claimed on numerous occasions in the mainstream
media and various meetings, without providing any arguments or explanations,
that commercial fishermen exhaust water bodies, obstruct them with nets,
poach, and prevent amateur fishermen from fishing. Commercial businessmen,
scientists, and specialists have all provided, and we hereby continue to
provide the facts that commercial fish stocks are abundant and that
commercial fishing is possible under the Law on Fisheries. Some information
is available on the website www.fisheryabc.eu.
WE STATE:
Lithuania has 3,000 lakes, 1,500 ponds, and 29,000 rivers, streams, and
canals, as well as the Curonian Lagoon.
Amateur fishermen can fish in said bodies for either 14 Euros total/1.69
Euros for 2 nights or for free.
According to the Law on Fisheries, entrepreneurs are allowed to fish in
bodies larger than 200 ha based on the research results. We have 99 such
bodies. Small fishing business is referred in the United Nations (FAO)
Declaration as well.
We hereby provide information on allocation of the 2011 catch limits (Curonian
Lagoon excluded) for commercial fishing of roach, perch, crucian carp, pike,
bream, tench, rudd, zander, and white bream:
No.
Name of
group of bodies
Area
of bodies
(ha) Limit set by the Minister of Environment (kg):
Total Of which:
Pike Tench Bream Zander
1. State-owned water bodies: 21,026.3: 14 bodies
142,240 4,805 2,525 22,880 200
2. Leased bodies: 5,956.4: 27 bodies
26,488 3,709 2,076 5,461 250
TOTAL: 26,982.7:
41 bodies 168,728 8,514 4,601 28,341 450
WE DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT that the Minister of Environment
allocated catch limits of averagely 6.25 kg of fish per hectare (168,728 kg
: 26.982.7 ha = 6.25 kg) when according to research, 1 ha contained around
20 kg of commercial fish.
Without providing any arguments or explanations and in absence of FORCE
MAJEURE circumstances, the Ministers of Environment have barred commercial
fishermen and lessees from catching roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream,
tench, rudd, zander, and white bream in, as of 01.01.2013, the Kaunas
Lagoon, and, as of 01.01.2015, in state-owned lakes and ponds. Lithuania is
the only country in the WORLD, where AUTHORITIES have banned commercial
fishing by law. NO FISHERMAN HAS BEEN PAID A SINGLE CENT FOR THE LOSSES
INCURRED while those governing Lithuania have been and continue to be radio
silent about the situation.
On 07.04.2017, Minister of Environment K. Navickas brought forward official
information that the total biomass of fish in 384 researched lakes and ponds
had increased by 1.5 times throughout 2011–2016 while the average weight of
fish had grown by 1.3–1.4 times.
OVER THE LAST YEARS, FISH STOCKS HAVE INCREASED EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, but
commercial fishermen are still not allowed to fish.
In 2011, the population of Lithuania was 3,052,600 inhabitants, in 2020 it
was 2,794,100 inhabitants.
IT SHOULD BE KNOWN that at the annual sessions of representatives of the
Republic of Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region, attended by the countries’
representatives of government, science, and amateur and commercial
fishermen, they claim that the CONDITION OF FISH STOCKS in the Curonian
Lagoon IS SATISFACTORY. This raises the question why there have been no
objections from representatives of amateur fishermen before or after the
sessions while ‘Žuvininkų Rūmai’ The Alliance of Associations would always
be asking to increase the amount of predatory fish in the Curonian Lagoon
both beforehand and afterwards. Perhaps amateur fishermen and some of the
politicians find the decline of predatory fish in the Curonian Lagoon very
beneficial as it gives them the motif for raising scandals and attacking
commercial fishermen.
In 2017, commercial fishermen of Lithuania caught the following amounts of
fish: in remote fisheries areas: 69,817 tonnes (a very small portion of it
ends up on the Lithuanian market), in the Baltic Sea and its nearshore:
18,865 tonnes, including 1,729 tonnes of cod, in the Curonian Lagoon: 963
tonnes; 57 tonnes of smelt was caught in the Curonian Lagoon and the lower
reaches of the Nemunas, about 100 tonnes of vendace, smelt, and other fish
was caught in polders and lakes while aquaculture/pond farms accounted for
3,737 tonnes, of which 78 percent was constituted by carp. It should be
noted that the Curonian Lagoon takes up around 22 percent of the total area
of the waters and accounts for about 90 percent of the fish caught. After
the cod stocks significantly depleted, fishermen have not been given any
compensations and are not allowed to leave business. One day of downtime of
a ship costs about 1,500 Euros.
Amateur fishermen, entrepreneurs, and cormorants each catch about 1,000
tonnes of fish in the Curonian Lagoon every year. No information is provided
on fish caught by the illegals and poachers and the damage done. WE WOULD
LIKE TO REMIND YOU that on 23.01.2020, the highest leaders, politicians, the
members of the Seimas, and the media of Lithuania were presented with the
following information (see www.fisheryabc.eu INTRODUCTION) regarding the
activities of GRIGEO: ‘Over the last years, about 20 Lithuanian scientists
have been conducting environmental research in the Curonian Lagoon, the
Baltic Sea and its nearshore under a contract with the Ministry of
Environment. They would submit interim reports to the Ministry. On
07.01.2020, the prosecutors, police officers, and investigators found that a
Klaipėda-based company GRIGEO released untreated waters into the Baltic Sea.
The reason why it took so long for a HUGE SCANDAL to break out about the
waters polluted with sewage and chemical substances was the fact that the
Ministry of Environment had failed to provide information on incidents and
imminent threats, even though the media had previously constantly broadcast
complaints of people of Klaipėda regarding environment pollution. IT IS
KNOWN that at a meeting on 19 December 2018, the Government drew the
attention of the Ministry of Environment to the matter, by issuing a special
mandate regarding environmental pollution; the Ministry of Environment
failed to find any significant polluters and did not disclose the
information provided by the scientists on repeated instances of exceedance
of emission rates. It was only after the 7th of January, following a raid of
special forces and ERRUPTION OF A GLOBAL SCANDAL, that the Ministry the
Environment started finding numerous environmental violations while Minister
of Environment K. Mažeika embarked on a search for offenders.’ The
politicians in power completely ignored the fact the Ministry of Environment
had provided no information to public authorities, the public, or the media
with regard to GRIGEO since 19.12.2018.
Mid-summer 2020, amateur fishermen started claiming that commercial
businessmen had exhausted fish in the Curonian Lagoon while K. Mažeika, A.
Gedvilienė, accompanied by certain politicians, with I. Šimonytė, M.
Majauskas and the whole Christian Democrats party jumping on the bandwagon
as well come election time, began resistance campaigns aimed at making sure
that entrepreneurs are banned from fishing in the Curonian Lagoon and the
nearshore. It was announced on 28.01.2021 that GRIGEO had caused about 48
million Euros worth of damage. It should be obvious to everyone that huge
damage had been done to the fish stocks. Who could calculate how many tonnes
of fish had been destroyed over, let’s say, 10 years?! IT MUST BE NOTED that
the Environmental Protection Agency receives large sums of money for
research in the Curonian Lagoon, the Baltic Sea and its nearshore, but we
have never happened to hear of them discussing reports on the work done with
the scientists and specialists. IT MUST BE ASSUMED that the Agency, along
with former Minister K. Mažeika, were seeking to conceal the mass murdering
of fish from the Lithuanian population. It has long been clear that
cormorants, the illegals, poachers and GRIGEO are causing significant damage
to the fish stocks; however, COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN ARE BLAMED FOR THAT IN ALL
POSSIBLE WAYS AND THREATENED TO BE DEALTH WITH.
Amateur fishermen refuse to fish on the most humane principle: GATCH AND
RELEASE. Instead, they need state-of-the-art fishing technologies. Fish is
already being sold to processors. Many of them follow the motto: LET’S JUST
BE PULLING OUT FISH NON-STOP WITH NO RESTRAINT and collectively blame the
entrepreneurs for exhausting the water bodies and poaching. Amateur
fishermen have been provided with proposals on increasing the fish stocks;
however, they completed ignored said proposals
IT IS BELIEVED that around 8 million Euros are made available through the
state budget every year for fishery management and control, fish farming,
and research and protection of water bodies – THE LION’S SHARE OF THE FUNDS
goes to a mere several hundred thousand amateur fishermen for ACCOMODATING A
HOBBY. It should be noted that six years ago, former Minister of Environment
L. Jonauskas introduced many, many tonnes of carp costing many, many
thousands of Euros into the lakes of his Paradise of Fishery project and his
electoral district. Perhaps it is out of respect for amateur fishermen,
officials, and politicians that carp is being introduced into the banned
lakes! Let’s ask scientists for their opinion.
Amateur fishermen collect around 1.7 million Euros in member fees and
permits per year. Politicians are rejoicing over fishermen contributing
funds to the state budget by purchasing special clothing, food, gasoline,
and equipment. HOWEVER, no one is granting any priorities to participants of
art and sports events, farmers, builders, sports fans, or students
purchasing special clothing, food, gasoline, or equipment. And NOONE IN THE
WORLD IS CHEERING THEM for contributing hundred millions more Euros to the
budget compared to amateur fishermen. So, tell me what state grants and
benefits do young athletes, members of various leisure clubs, or artists,
WHO PAY FOR EVERY SINGLE TRAINING OR REHEARSAL, have?
WE DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT that proposals for increasing fish stocks
have been brought forward on numerous occasions. On 17.05.2019, we appealed
to the leaders of Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region, asking to resolve
the issues regarding introduction of predatory fish to the Curonian Lagoon
(letter hereby attached). With no reaction, on 11.11.2019, we appealed again
(letter hereby attached) – we have received no reaction from Lithuania’s
side as of yet. On 26.07.2020, we wrote a letter to the highest leaders and
politicians of the European Union, certain countries, and Lithuania, the
members of the Seimas, and the media (providing the information available on
www.fisheryabc.eu): ‘IN THE FACE OF COVID-19. REGARDING ALLOCATION OF CATCH
LIMITS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING IN STATE-OWNED AND LEASED LAKES, PONDS, AND
THE KAUNAS LAGOON’ for roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench, rudd,
zander, and white bream. In the 08.12.2020 letter to the European and
Lithuanian leaders and politicians, the members of the Seimas, and
responsible institutions ‘REGARDING THE DRAFT PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT’,
concerns were raised and arguments were made about the potential losses of
the government’s programme. On 22.11.2020, measures for increasing fish
stocks were presented to the Committee on Rural Affairs, the members of the
Seimas, and responsible institutions. These proposals had been proposed
since 17.09.2020, some of them even before that. On 26.12.2020, we appealed
to the President of the Republic of Lithuania (‘REGARDING ERADICATION OF
COMMERCIAL FISHING. Aquaculture Supplying Enough Fish IS NOT MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE’ and put forward proposals for increasing fish stocks.
On 20.01.2021, an extract from minutes was presented to the members of the
Seimas and responsible institutions, detailing the issues in the recital and
putting forward proposals for solving fishery-related issues in the
operative part. Said letters should be on file with the archives of the
members of the Seimas and the institutions. We proposed measures for
restocking of fish, but no one reacted. WE ASKED YOU, in the face of the
COVID-19 pandemic, not to implement the measures of the fishing business ban
and ministry reorganisation DURING THIS TERM and to allow commercial
businessmen to fish just like before, allocating the entrepreneurs catch
limits for fishing roach, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench, rudd,
zander, and white bream in state-owned lakes and ponds, and the Kaunas
Lagoon, as well as leased state-owned water bodies, at least at the 2011
limit level.
Fish is state property, and the state makes great effort and financial
investments to make sure that the water bodies are as full of fish as
possible. Until now, some fish has been caught by amateur fishermen and some
by commercial fishermen, who have supplied the fish to retail chains to
satisfy the needs of the Lithuanian population. Under the resolution of the
Seimas, only amateur fishermen will be able to dispose of the state property
of all fish. Thereby, the Seimas creates a caste OF AMATEUR FISHERMEN.
It has been 10 since the Seimas denied THE STATUS OF DEFENDER OF LITHUANIA
for the defenders of the Parliament, freedom fighters, and volunteers, but
it took the members of the Seimas only 1 day on 11.12.2020 to decide to BAN
COMMERCIAL FISHING, and thus approved A PRIVILAGED CASTE of several hundred
thousand amateur fishermen. Now, tell me, which social group is the Seimas
materially and politically patronising on behalf of the state?
NO ONE IS ARRANGING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE MANY PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITH
REGARD TO THE ISSUES OF INCREASING FISH STOCKS AND WITHDRAWAL FROM BUSINESS.
Why a mere several hundred thousand amateur fishermen are given PRIVILEGE,
on behalf of the state, to use the property raised using public money and
maintained and protected by the state while the remaining 2.7 million
Lithuanian citizens WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE Lithuanian freshwater
fish, which has previously been supplied to the market by commercial
fishermen?
Perhaps a referendum should be called for to ask people whether they do or
do not wish to be able to purchase cheap freshwater fish on the market, in
shops, and whether they do or do not wish to support, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE,
the caste of amateur fishermen, favoured by the Seimas. Or perhaps amateur
fishermen should be obliged to rent water bodies, and they will then be
free, using the aforementioned 1.7 million Euros, to introduce fish into the
bodies and protect said bodies, carry out research work, and service other
amateur fishermen for either 1.68 Euros for 2 days or for free, giving them
the permission to catch 5 kg of fish on a daily basis.
POST SCRIPTUM
The 11.12.2020 Seimas resolution to ban commercial fishing left the
fishermen, citizens, and politicians of the Kaliningrad Region of the
Russian Federation very happy as there is a great number of fish spawnings
in the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Lagoon. As the fish grows, it travels
in the direction of the Kaliningrad Region as it does not recognise borders.
This ban on commercial fishing by the Seimas is the only such ban in the
world history of fisheries as we are the only country in the world, where
business of one social group, fishermen, is banned in the area of
government, public policy and management without providing any explanations
or arguments.
Who is to say that someone in the Seimas is not going to initiate AN
IMPEACHMENT for the saint apostles Andrew, Peter, Zen, and Magnus, who were
throwing nets to catch fish to feed the hungry?
The members of the Seimas, putting their hand on the Constitution, swore by
the words: ‘I swear to respect and carry out its Constitution and laws, I
swear ... to serve the welfare of the people in good faith’. By banning
commercial fishing 7 years ago, they violated the Constitution and 2 laws.
How does one perceive and measure their service to the well-being of the
people when, after banning FISHING under the Minister’s order, not a single
cent of compensation has been paid out to a single person over the 7 years.
What kind of people’s welfare are the members of the Seimas, having decided
to BAN COMMERCIAL FISHING as of 11.12.2020, going to create?
How does one imagine the creation of the STATE OF WELFARE when some rejoice
and others grieve?
President of ‘Žuvininkų Rūmai’ The Alliance of Associations Leonas
Kerosierius
President of the Council Vytautas Vaitiekūnas
Phone for inquiries: 8674 38465, e-mail: leonaslabora@gmail.com
www.fisheryabc.eu
PRIEDAS Nr. 2
„ŽUVININKŲ RŪMAI“ THE ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS
L. Kerosieriui Iki pareikalavimo, Centrinis paštas, Vilnius, tel+370 674
38465, e. p. leonaslabora@gmail.com
To His Excellency Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania
To the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilyte-Nielsen
To the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonyte
To the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania
Dainius Žalimas
To the Darius Jauniškis, Director of the State Security Department
To the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Lithuania Nida Grunskienė
To the Chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court of the Republic of
Lithuania Gintaras Kryževičius
To the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania Simonas
Gentvilas
To the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania Kęstutis
Navickas
To the Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania
Aušrinė Armonaitė
To the Minister of Social Security and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania
Monika Navickienė
To the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania Gintarė Skaistė
To the Auditor General of the Republic of Lithuania Mindaugas Macijauskas
To the General Commissioner of the Republic of Lithuania Renatas Požėla
For the Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius
For members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
For fishermen
For the media
ON THE POLITICAL COPING WITH FISHERMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Vilnius, 2021-02-12
On 11 December 2020, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania decided to ban
commercial fishing. Examination of the draft submitted for the vote did not
reveal any explanation, argument or FORCE MAJEURE CIRCUMSTANCES concerning
the introduction of the bans. It should be noted that K. Mažeika, a member
of the Peasants 'and Greens' Union, L. Jonauskas, a Social Democrat, and
members of the TS-LKD party, M. Majauskas and A. Gedvilienė, have repeatedly
campaigned to ban commercial fishing at press conferences and public
letters.
In most cases, their main arguments were the negative information about
fishermen-entrepreneurs provided by the Salmon Diary. It should be noted
that during the election campaign, TS Christian Democrats massively
disseminated PROMISING INFORMATION TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL FISHING (a
campaign page is provided above).
Such contempt for innocent fishermen’s entrepreneurs has provoked much
thought.
Lithuanian fishermen entrepreneurs caught in 2017: 69817 tons in remote
fishing areas, 18865 tons in the Baltic Sea and the Coast, of which 1729
tons of cod, 963 tons in the Curonian Lagoon, 57 tons of smelt in the
Curonian Lagoon and the downstream of river Nemunas, about 100 tons of
Coregonus albula, smelt and other fish in polders and lakes,
aquaculture-pond farms - 3737 tons, of which 78 percent are carp. It should
be noted that the Curonian Lagoon occupies about 22 percent of the water
area but about 90 percent of fish is caught namely there.
Information has been provided more than once that the commercial resources
of roaches, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench, roach, Blicca bjoerkna
and flounder are abundant in lakes, Kaunas lagoons and ponds.
PLEASE NOTE that the Lithuanian-Russian transboundary commissions have
stated that the state of fish stocks in the Curonian Lagoon is SATISFACTORY
and for 2020 Lithuania has set limits for catching 480 t of bream, 110 t of
pikeperch and 570 t of smelt.
WE CONSIDER that catch limits should be set:
In long-distance fleets, by average catch over the last 5 years.
In the Baltic Sea and the Coast - according to the average catch of the last
5 years, excluding cod.
Dealing with fishermen exit from business.
In the Curonian Lagoon - according to the average catch of the last 5 years.
In the Curonian Lagoon and in the lower reaches of the Nemunas, 570 t should
be allocated for catching smelt. limits.
In polders and lakes, the amount of Coregonus albula, smelt and other fish
is determined on the basis of the average catch of the last 5 years.
In lakes, Kaunas Lagoon, Kruonis Upper Basin, ponds and leased reservoirs,
the limits for 2021 have been set at the level of 2011 according to the
table provided in the morning letter. From 2022, 2023, 2024 to approve
limits in order to increase the catch limits by 100 tons annually.
Set limits for fishing pike, pikeperch, tench and bream.
Proposals from all social partners and amateur fishermen should be
considered.
Proposals for the increase of fish and requests for urgent introduction of
10 million predatory fish and especially pike perch and pike into the
Curonian Lagoon have been submitted MANY TIMES.
Lithuanian leaders, institutions, politicians and amateur fishermen did not
react at all and business fishermen were despised at the highest state and
political level and demanded to ban commercial fishing - no one wanted to go
into the Constitution, Fisheries, Competition and other laws, ignored the UN
Small Business Declaration (FAO) . No one tried to delve into the BIBLE and
the 10 COMMANDMENTS OF GOD and by declaring with 78 votes of the most
ruling, actively preparing and pressing subordinates to PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL
FISHING.
IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED SEVERAL TIMES to focus on increasing the number of
fish in blue areas as farmers strive to increase volumes of production.
It is to be known that after the ban on commercial fishing in lakes, Kaunas
lagoons and ponds from 2013 and 2015, about 80 organizations were affected.
Expensive fishing gear does not bring any benefits. The LITHUANIAN STATE has
not yet paid a penny in compensation to the convicts. During the
implementation of the Seimas resolution of 11 December 2020, about 300
fishing organizations will be affected. KNOWING that 1 job in shore fishing
creates an additional 3-5 jobs — it is imperative to evaluate this as well.
IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE MINISTRIES OF FINANCE, SOCIAL SECURITY AND LABOR,
AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND INNOVATION AND THE NATIONAL AUDIT
OFFICE TO CALCULATE THE LOSSES OF ENTREPRENEURS FROM 01.01.2013, when a
resolution was adopted to PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL FISHING and to submit
proposals on how and when the losses will be compensated and WHAT BENEFITS
FOR THE STATE HAS BEEN PROHIBITED from commercial fishing as of 01.01.2013
What are the economic benefits or losses of banning commercial fishing on
the common lakes with Belarus, Poland, Russia (Vištytis, Drukšiai, etc.)
when entrepreneurs from those countries die under the laws in force. What
benefits did the fishermen's paradise created for Lithuanian amateur
fishermen and destroyed after previous elections bring when former Deputy
Minister of the Environment L. Jonauskas introduced many large carp for
many, many thousands of euros in the lakes of Paradise and his constituency.
NOTE that in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders around the world are
spending millions to help businesses, create jobs, reduce social exclusion,
and strive to create a supportive communication atmosphere. In Lithuania,
the rulers decided to ban commercial fishing and forced many institutions to
do the will of the rulers. Who can deny that there will be an initiator in
the Seimas who will ORGANIZE impeachment for the holy apostles Andrew,
Peter, Zen, Magnus who caught fish with nets in order to feed the hungry.
AIMING to hand over water bodies to amateur fishermen violates the
Constitution, many laws and prevents LITHUANIAN RESIDENTS from purchasing
cheap freshwater fish, which is provided to the market by fishermen
entrepreneurs.
We RECALL that in 2019 the President asked to find 100 million euros to
build a WELFARE STATE. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE RULERS of SEIMAS WILL ENJOY AND
THE FISHING ENTREPRENEURS will be SAD.
Such a ban on commercial fishing, organized by the Seimas, when fish
resources are good, is a POLITICAL RESPONSE TO REPRESENTATIVES OF ONE SOCIAL
GROUP. IF PROHIBITED IT IS PROHIBITED FOR EVERYONE.
More information can be found at www.fisheryabc.eu
MANAGERS address the destruction of commercial fishing in closed meetings at
increased speeds.
WE WILL REQUEST the Constitutional Court to assess the compliance of the
Seimas resolution of 11 December 2020 to prohibit commercial fishing with
the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WE WILL REQUEST the Attorney General to defend the public interest.
WE REQUEST the Mayor of Vilnius to issue permits for pickets and rallies to
state institutions - the Presidency, the Seimas, the Government, the
Constitutional Court, the above-mentioned ministries and the headquarters of
the ruling parties as a matter of urgency, as it is unknown in advance who
and where organizes commercial fishing.
WE REQUEST the Commissioner General of Police to send police officers during
pickets and rallies so that outsiders do not disturb the seriousness of
pickets and rallies.
IT IS CONSIDERED that the ban on commercial fishing and the fight against
entrepreneurs in the Curonian Lagoon are economic and political support for
the Russian Federation. Those who have demanded and agitated to ban
commercial fishing in the Curonian Lagoon may be linked to Russia's special
services. Therefore, they and their finances should be of interest to the
Department of Homeland Security.
WE REQUEST the Supreme Administrative Court to hear complaints from
fishermen, including fishermen tenants, about losses incurred as a result of
the ban or initiation of a ban on commercial fishing, as no penny has been
compensated to entrepreneurs since 01/01/2013. We also ask you to deal with
complaints initiated by fishermen's entrepreneurs about the imposition of
limits on roaches, perch, crucian carp, pike, bream, tench, roach, pikeperch
and flounder in state and leased water bodies.
WE HOPE to receive answers to this letter in accordance with the
requirements of the Constitution and legal acts, as the answers will help to
understand the NECESSITY and OBLIGATION TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL FISHING -
maybe there will be those who want to destroy,maybe there will be those who
want to be destroyed, but don't believe that there will be those who want to
BE BURNED ON THE SCRAP OF THE INQUISITION OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE SEIMAS.
NO ONE WILL KNEEL ON THE KNEES ANYMORE AND WON’T ASK FOR ALMS. PEOPLE HAVE
COME FROM PARLIAMENT'S BARRICADES, BUSINESS HAS BEEN GUARANTEED AND
PROTECTED IN FAIR CONSTITUTION FOR 30 YEARS, AND IT IS NEVER DEPRIVED TO
CREATE A CAST OF BLESSED FISHERMEN AMATEUR'S AND that someone get more votes
in support of CANDIDATES for the Seimas and the Russian economy.
President of the Union of Fishermen's Association L. Kerosierius
President of the Council V. Vaitiekūnas
Tel. +370 674 38465, e. p. leonaslabora@gmail.com www.fisheryabc.eu
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