Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 18,984 of the 2nd November 2012

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, notifies that the result of the interviews for the above-mentioned post has been published and can be viewed on the main notice-board at the People Management Directorate, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, Block ‘A’, Triq Francesco Buonamici, Floriana, and on the notice-board of the Office of the Public Service Commission, The Palace, Valletta. 

2nd November, 2012


MINISTRY FOR RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Result of Interviews for the Post of Motor Transport Driver (Group III) within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, notifies that the result of the interviews for the above-mentioned post has been published and can be viewed on the main notice-board at the People Management Directorate, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, Block ‘A’, Triq Francesco Buonamici, Floriana, and on the notice-board of the Office of the Public Service Commission, The Palace, Valletta. 

2nd November, 2012


UNIVERSITY OF MALTA – MATSEC EXAMINATIONS

Matriculation Certificate and Advanced and Intermediate Level Single Subjects Examination - May 2013

The Director of Examinations notifies candidates intending to sit for the Matriculation Certificate and Advanced and Intermediate Level Single Subjects – May 2013 Examinations, that applications will be received as from Monday 26th November 2012 up to Sunday 16th December 2012.
Candidates applying for the above examinations should invariably apply for their e-ID to gain access to apply online on: (exams.gov.mt).  The on-line registration will be available between Monday, 26th November, 2012 and Sunday, 16th December, 2012.

Details of the e-ID Registration Office are as follows:

e-ID Registration Office
Civil Registration Directorate
Evans Building
Merchants Street
Valletta
email: (idmo.mitc@gov.mt)

Tel: 2122 6627/8

Office hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m., 3.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

Important

On behalf of the Matsec Board, the Examinations Department may authorise exemption of fees in cases of proved financial difficulties.  The applicants’ parent/legal guardians who qualify for Government Social Assistance, are to collect the relevant “Waiving of Fees” form, from the Examinations Department, Floriana or from the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo on presentation of the payment invoice.

Candidates who are in receipt of a Student Maintenance Grant/TAS or ESTS allowance DO NOT QUALIFY for the exemption.

Other details may be obtained from the Examinations Department, Floriana and the Examinations Centre, Victoria Gozo or from the Department’s website on: (http://www.exams.gov.mt).

2nd November, 2012


UNIVERSITY OF MALTA – MATSEC EXAMINATIONS

Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Examinations - May 2013

The Director of Examinations notifies candidates intending to sit for the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) May 2013 Examinations, that applications will be received as from Monday, 26th November 2012 to Friday, 14th December 2012 from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. as follows:

Malta Candidates:
Examinations Department,
Floriana

Gozo Candidates:
Examinations Centre,
Victoria,
Gozo.

Application forms may be obtained from the Examinations Department, Floriana and the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo. The form may also be downloaded from the Department’s website on: (exams.gov.mt). 

Candidates who intend to apply and/or pay online on: (exams.gov.mt) must invariably procure their e-ID from the e-ID Registration Office, Civil Registration Directorate, Evans Building, Triq il-Merkanti, Valletta; Tel. No.: 2122 6627/8.

Important

The Examinations Department may authorize on behalf of the Matsec Board, exemption of fees in case of proven financial difficulties. The applicants’ parents/legal guardians who qualify for Government Social Assistance, are to collect the relevant ‘Waiving of Fees’ form, from the Examinations Department, Floriana or from the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo on presentation of the payment invoice.

Other details may be obtained from the Examinations Department, Floriana on Tel. No.: 2598 2223 and the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo, on Tel. No.: 2155 8341.

2nd November, 2012


ARMED FORCES OF MALTA

Live Firing Programme at Sea – Livex/Gunnex

Maritime Squadron will be conducting live-firing Practice-at-Sea on Monday 12th November 2012.  A number of Maritime Squadron vessels are scheduled to participate in this said shoot.
Range Area

 The practice will be conducted in LMD 05. Details are listed hereunder:

 a. Range Centre - N35˚30.5 E014˚11.0
 b. Circular Exclusion - 8 NM radius
 c. Vertical Clearance - 25000 feet
 d. Firing Area - Complete area
 e. Firing Time - 8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. (local)
 f. Range Clearance - 2 x Safety Launches
 g. Range Safety - Maritime Squadron Standing Orders
 h. Director of Practice - 2IC Maritime Squadron
 i. Chief Safety Officer - Maritime Squadron Officer
 j. Range Officers - Respective Boat Officers

Reserve date is scheduled for 13th November, 2012.

Startex and Endex of the shoot will be communicated by Operations Room Armed Forces of Malta.

Command and Control

This will be exercised from one of the patrol crafts.  The Director of Practice and the Chief Safety Officer will be stationed on the vessel.  The Master of the vessels conducting the Shoot will be issued with relevant instructions by these two persons only, while remaining within the Temporary Danger Area.

2nd November, 2012


ĦAL GĦARGĦUR LOCAL COUNCIL

The Ħal Għargħur Local Council notifies that due to private works on Monday, 5th November 2012 and on Monday, 12th November 2012 Triq il-Ġnien will be closed for all traffic from 10.00 a.m. till 1.00 p.m. Triq il-Ġnien will also be closed for all traffic on Tuesday, 6th November and Thursday, 8th November 2012 from 9.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. On the dates and times mentioned no parking will be permitted in Triq il-Ġnien.

2nd November, 2012


MALTA’S FISHERIES OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME
EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND (EFF ) 2007 - 2013
PRIORITY AXIS NUMBER 1

Measures for the Adaptation of the Maltese Fishing Fleet

Permanent Cessation of Fishing Activities Scheme

Guidelines for Applicants
Scheme 3 - October 2012

1. Introduction:

Administration of this project has to be in line with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 of 27th July 2006 on the European Fisheries Fund and Council Regulation (EC) No. 498/2007 of 26th March 2007 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006. 

The following admissibility conditions will be applied to this measure:

Applicant must be the owner of the vessel and own a valid licence for commercial fishing within MFA or MFB categories of the Malta fishing vessel register.
Vessels that are to be scrapped must be active vessels and must have shown fishing activity through landings and registration of catches in the last 2 years.
Vessel older than 5 years of age (from the year of construction)
Vessel is on the permanent list of vessels with registered tuna gear.

This measure is aimed to finance the permanent cessation of fishing activities of fishing vessels that are currently actively involved and licensed in the actual take up of BFT wild fish stocks in order to reduce the number of BFT fishing vessels from the Malta Fishing Vessel Register.  The actions that are eligible under this measure are listed in Section 4 of the these Guidelines for applicants.

Transfer of vessels to third world countries is not eligible.

The administration of this project has to contribute to the improvement of present resources to enable a positive impact on the natural environment.  Resources may improve if fishing pressure is reduced permanently through scrapping. 

An indicative amount of around €700,000 Euro public funds (Malta and EU (EFF) Funds) are being made available. Amount may increase should there be the possibility of allocating savings resulting from other projects to this scheme.  Projects will receive a maximum funding of 75% from the EFF fund and 25% from the Maltese Government. 

There is no guarantee that all eligible applicants will benefit from the funds.  The number of beneficiaries being granted funds will be determined according to the budget allocated to the scheme.  Final beneficiaries being granted funds, will be those fishing vessels that qualify with the criteria and achieve the highest points.

2. Objectives:

The main objective of the measure is to reduce the fishing capacity of the Maltese registered fishing fleet licensed to fish BlueFin Tuna in line with the Fishing Effort Adjustment Plan¹ and the BlueFin Tuna Management Plan², as well as to manage the fishing effort in accordance with the aims of the Common Fisheries Policy. 

¹Published on the Malta Government Gazette on the 22nd October, 2010 and available from:
http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/gazetteonline/2010/10/gazts/Gaz%2022.10%20extra.pdf
²Malta’s draft annual fishing plan for 2013 within the context of the bluefin tuna fisheries was submitted to the Commission on the 2nd of October 2012

3. Beneficiaries:

The beneficiaries of this measure are legal and natural persons who are registered as owners of a fishing vessel and have a valid licence for commercial fishing in the MFA or MFB categories of the Malta Fishing Register at the time of application. Vessels that will benefit from this scheme must be operational, active and have landed the minimum landing value required in Subsidiary Legislation 425/2007 regarding the Fishing Vessel Regulation Schedule III of 14th September 2004.  They shall show fishing activity through landings and registration of fish catches in each of the last 2 years (i.e. in 2010 and in 2011).  Vessels must meet the minimum landing value required as per Schedule III of the above mentioned subsidiary legislation for both years (i.e. in 2010 and in 2011). Vessels must be older than 5 years of age and are registered in the Malta Fishing Vessel Register in the MFA or MFB category and that are included in the permanent list of vessels with registered tuna gear. 

Fishing vessels constructed during the last five years are not eligible to benefit from this scheme. Applicants who benefitted from any other schemes under FIFG 2004-2006 or the Modernisation on Board Fishing Vessels and Selectivity schemes 2007-2013 shall not be entitled to apply for this scheme.
Applicants who are subject to infringement procedures or in litigation with the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (MRRA) (as at application date) shall declare the infringements/litigation. Undeclared infringements/litigation shall automatically disqualify the applicant.

Eligible Actions:

The eligible actions under this scheme are:

4.1 The complete scrapping of a fishing vessel with deletion of the relative fishing capacity related to the vessel from the Malta Fishing Vessel Register.  Both fishing rights and vessel will be compensated. Direct reference is made to Art 4(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) 498/2007 whereby scrapping of the vessel means there will be a permanent cancelling of the related fishing licence and the permanent deletion of the vessel from the Community fleet register.

4.2 The reassignment of the vessel under the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community for activities outside fishing with deletion of the relative fishing capacity related to the vessel from the Malta Fishing Vessel Register.  Only fishing rights will be compensated.

4.3 The reassignment of the vessel for the purpose of the creation of Artificial Reefs with deletion of the relative fishing capacity related to the vessel from the Malta and the Community Fishing Vessel Register.  Both fishing rights and vessel will be compensated. Direct reference is made to Art 23 1 (c) of Council Regulation (EC) 1198/2006, whereby Member States shall ensure that any such operation as described above will be preceded by an environmental impact assessment.

Transfers of fishing vessels to a third country are not eligible.

5. Guidelines for Scrapping

5.1 When deciding to dispose of a vessel an owner should consider a number of steps to ensure safe and environmentally sound disposal:

Maintaining the vessel in an acceptable condition on the water until it is removed for disposal and recycling, or storing it in a safe place i.e. at a boat yard.
Selecting an authorised vessel dismantler with the necessary permits:
  Cassar Shipyards
  Bezzina Shipyards

A MEPA permit has to be applied for through the above-mentioned shipyards and the cost of the permit and the actual demolition has to be borne by the beneficiary.

5.2 Wood, steel or polymer forming the hull and superstructure have to be cut up in small pieces.  The different materials have to be sorted out and delivered to an approved dump site.

5.3 All engines and generators registered on the vessel have to be drained of all oils in appropriate containers and destroyed.

5.4 The gear box and propulsion gear have to be broken.

5.5 Scrapping has to take place in a European Port.

5.6 All scrapping has to take place under supervision of an official from the IB, a Fisheries Protection Officer, and officials from the Managing Authority when necessary. 

Any expenses related to the transfer of the officers referred to in 5.5 to E.U. ports outside Malta will be deducted from the premium.

6. Applications:

All applications necessitate full details as specified in the form provided. These forms may be collected from the offices listed hereunder and from the website (http://vafd.gov.mt/eff). The person submitting the application/s is requested to provide his/her official Identity Card for identification purposes. Late applications will not be considered. 

Application forms may be collected from the following offices:

Mr Christopher Francalanza    
Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs
EU Affairs Directorate
Block B, Beltissebh
Floriana

Mr. Tony Borg,    Mr. Mario Tabone,
Ministry for Gozo,    Fisheries Office,
St Francis Square,    Mġarr,
Gozo      Gozo

Għaqda Koperattiva tas-Sajd Ltd.,  Koperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd,  
“Id-Dwana”,     Dar is-Sajjieda,
Xatt is-Sajjieda ,    Xatt is-Sajjieda,
Marsaxlokk     Marsaxlokk

Applications together with all supporting documentation as requested in the call must be submitted, in person, by not later than 9th November, 2012 by noon at the following address:

Mr Christopher Francalanza    
Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs
EU Affairs Directorate
Block B, Beltissebh
Floriana

Applications may be submitted by third parties on behalf of owners if these third parties hold and submit an original specific power of attorney by a Notary registered in the Maltese Notorial Register. 

An acknowledgment letter will be issued to the person submitting the application.

Any queries should be addressed to Mr Christopher Francalanza who may be contacted on telephone number 22927844 from 8.00am till 12.00pm.

Every application has to identify the final destination of the vessel, the place were the scrapping will take place, the company effecting the scrapping and the destination of all materials. 

7. Adjudication:

Selection will be carried out by a duly appointed selection committee. The selection grid can be found on page 15. Selection will be allotted on the basis of the criteria outlined hereunder:

Value of registered landings: Preference for scrapping to vessels with a higher value of landings. Points will be allocated according to minimum value of landings as per Schedule III of Subsidiary Legislation 425.07

Rejuvenation of the fishing fleet: Preference for scrapping to older vessels.

For vessels which will be re-assigned, the applicant shall provide a written declaration and plan/report describing the role to be assumed by the vessel following the re-assignment and any permits (or application for permits) from the relevant authorities or promise of sale agreement or other relevant documentation. It has to be noted that as per Article 4 (3) of the Implementing Regulation the premiums for operations involving re-assignment shall be adjusted to take into account criteria such as the market value of the fishing licence and the residual value of the vessel.

Rejuvenation of the fishers’ population: Preference for scrapping of vessels owned by older fishers.³

Diversification to other activities: Preference for reassignment of traditional wooden hulled fishing boats (Luzzu, Kajjik, or Firilla) painted in traditional livery given the value of these for the tourism industry.

For vessels which will be scrapped, the applicant shall provide a written declaration and a plan/report describing the final destination of the vessel and the materials generated through the scrapping process. Points will be granted to Applicants who will send the material generated through the scrapping process for recycling.

Engine Size: Higher marks will be granted to applications with the highest total engine power  (total Kw of engines).⁴

Gross Tonnage: Higher marks will be granted to applications with the largest Gross Tonnage.

8. Documents:

All documents submitted should carry reference of their origin to enable confirmation. All details of the confirmation agency, institution or body must be included. All documents must be signed by the official in charge of the section or department releasing them.  The name and designation of the officer signing these documents and the date should be clearly legible. All documents must be originals except otherwise indicated.

Eligible non compensated applications that were submitted under the first and second call of the EFF 2007– 2013 or the previous FIFG 2004 - 2006 calls must re-submit a new and complete application form under this call.

List of Documents:

For vessels which will be scrapped the applicant shall provide a written declaration and a plan/report, indicating the shipyard where the vessel will be scrapped and the timeframe  (not later than 7 December 2012) (original).

For vessels, which will be re-assigned the applicant shall provide a written declaration and plan/report describing the role to be assumed by the vessel following the re-assignment and any permits (or application for permits) from the relevant authorities or promise of sale agreement or other relevant documentation. (original).

Company Board Resolution authorising the permanent cessation application in the case of a company owned vessel or written declaration by all owners in the case where vessels are owned by co-owners. (original).

ETC certificates for the skipper/master and crew members issued in October 2012. (original).

³In case of more than one owner, the average age will be calculated 
⁴Fisher has to ensure that the engines onboard tally with the information about such engines as registered in the Fishing Vessel Register and the Merchant Shipping Directorate. In default, the applicant shall be disqualified.

Sales certificate issued by the Fish Sales Data Unit within the Fisheries Control Directorate for the last two years, 2010 and 2011 (original).

ID card of the owner/s, skipper/master and crew members (copies).

A valid Fishing Vessel Licence (copy).

A valid Certificate of Malta Registry (copy).

Insurance premium receipt and policy for the last two years if applicable (copy).

Catch logbooks for years of which landings are claimed for years 2010 and 2011, when applicable (copies).

A declaration from the Fisheries Control Directorate stating that vessel in question is listed in their official records as permanent Blue Fin Tuna licensed vessel (original).

Three coloured photos of vessel (front, rear and side).

Missing documents in the application form may lead to disqualification of the application.

9. Results:

The selection results will be published through a Government Notice and on the notice board of the EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA as the Intermediate Body for grant scheme and on the Fisheries website: (http://vafd.gov.mt/eff).

Projects will be listed in order of merit and the ones that will be funded will appear above a solid black line. Details of the unsuccessful applicants will be limited to the application number and Identity Card only of the person signing the application.  Candidates will be informed of the results by means of a written communication by the EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA. In case of unsuccessful applicants, the communication to each applicant shall be accompanied by a summary of the relevant reasons relating to the rejection of the particular candidate’s application as set out in these guidelines and by a precise statement of the exact standstill period relating to the lodging of an appeal.

The results may be subject to the appeals procedure as detailed in paragraph 11, and are thus to be considered as temporary until the expiry of the 10 calendar day appeals period. If an appeal is lodged, the results will be suspended pending the decision of the Appeals  Board.

10. Payments & Monitoring Process:

Public aid for final cessation paid to beneficiaries may not exceed the amounts shown in the table below. 

The selected applicants will sign a grant agreement with the Intermediate Body EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA and the final payment will be effected only when the project has been certified to have been completely (by 7 December 2012) carried out according to the proposal submitted and the conditions of the grant agreement.  A payment request form has to be presented to the Intermediate Body (template to be provided together with the Grant Agreement) before payment is made. The request form has to be submitted to the Intermediate Body as soon as the scrapping/reassignment of the fishing vessel is carried out, but not later than 2 calendar days from when this takes place.

All projects are subject to an audit by both Malta and EC auditors, and programme evaluators. According to Article 87 of EFF Council Regulation No.1198/2006, all documents referred to in Section 8 must be kept for a period of three years following the closure of the Operational Programme. Therefore documents should be kept by the Final Beneficiaries at least until 2020. This period may be extended in case of legal proceedings or at the request of the European Commission.  In accepting the offer of EU Funds, the Final Beneficiary will take on responsibility for compliance with terms and conditions as stipulated in the grant agreement. Failure to meet these conditions or any false information given in the application, any irregularities or miscalculations may lead to the recovery of the EU Funds granted.

 Beneficiaries accept that, in accordance with the European Transparency initiative, their details including names of the operations and the amount of the public funding allocated to operations will be published electronically or otherwise.
Personal information will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act (Cap.440). Without prejudice, documents while protecting all commercially sensitive information can be requested and published according to the Freedom of Information Act. The dissemination and/or publication of such documents will be subject to the safeguards provided by the Data Protection Act. Prior notification to concerned parties shall be given.

Scrapping Premiums

The premiums to be paid for the permanent cessation of fishing vessels will be reflective of both the value of the vessels as well as the value of the fishing licences. 

The value of the vessel will be calculated via a formula that will take into consideration the length of the vessel and the entry of the vessel into the fisheries sector.  The value will also be calculated on the material of the boat:

Wood: 1.25
Iron/Steele: 0.90
Fibre: 1.30
Aluminium: 1

Coefficient as follows:

Material of the Hull x (Value according to length per meter – Percentage reduction according to age of entry into fisheries).

Where the value according to the length of the vessels will be as follows:

Meters (mt)                         Euro per metre
< 6 mt                                 3500
≥ 6 to < 12 mt                     4000
≥ 12 to < 15 mt                   4500
≥ 15 to < 20 mt                   6000
≥ 20                                    6500

A percentage of the value according to the length of the vessels will be deducted depending on the age of the vessel:

Age of entry of the vessel                Percentage deduction
into Fisheries 

>5                                                    20%
≥10                                                  10%
≥15                                                    3%
≥20                                                    5%
≥25                                                  10%
≥30                                                   30%
≥40                                                   45%

The value of the licence will be calculated on the basis of the turnover of the fishing vessel plus a value depending on the sector to which the vessel belongs (Purse seiner or Long Liner) as follows:

(Value of the licence + average turnover of the fishing vessel over the last two years)

Where the value of the licence will be calculated as follows:

Purse Seiner with BFT licence              25,000 Euro
Long Liner with BFT Licence                20,000 Euro

Both fishing rights and vessel will be compensated for the complete scrapping of the fishing vessel and with the permanent deletion of the relative fishing vessel capacity from the Malta and Community Fishing Fleet Register. 

Only fishing rights will be compensated for the permanent reassignment of the vessel under the flag of a Member State and registered in the Community for activities outside fishing with the deletion of the vessel fishing capacity from the Malta and Community Fishing Fleet Register. 50% of the aid will be granted to the final beneficiary. 

Both fishing rights and vessel will be compensated for the reassignment of the vessel for the purpose of the creation of an artificial reef with the deletion of the relative vessel fishing capacity from the Malta and the Community Fishing Fleet Register.

The maximum premium will be capped at Euro 250,000 per vessel.

11. Appeals

Any applicant who feels aggrieved by the result of the Selection Board may within ten calendar days of the publication of the decision, file a notice of objection with the EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA.  Late appeals shall not be considered.

The Directorate shall be precluded from concluding the offers during the period of ten calendar days allowed for the submission of appeals. The award process shall be temporarily suspended if an appeal is submitted within the said timeframe. 

In case of an appeal the conditions as stipulated in the English version will be utilized to arrive at a final decision.

The adjudication results by the Selection Board are to be considered as temporary and therefore are subject to change by the Appeals Board. The decision of the Appeals Board shall be considered as final without prejudice however to any course of action as allowed under the Laws of Malta.

The procedure to be followed in submitting and determining objections, as well as the conditions under which such objections may be filed shall be the following:

(a) any decision by the Selection Board, shall be made public as prescribed in section 9 above;

(b) the notice of objection/s duly filed in accordance with these guidelines shall be made public by the EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA not later than the next working day following its filing, which objection shall also be communicated directly to the Evaluation Board and to the interested parties. The Directorate in issuing such a communication to the interested parties, relative to the notice of objection/s, shall also notify all parties of date of public hearing to be held before the Appeals Board;

(c) any interested party, as well as the Selection Board may submit their views regarding the objection/s made, within maximum five calendar days of the publication of the objection/s. The EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA shall then forward to the Chairperson of the Appeals Board all documentation pertaining to the award of grants including applications and documents forming part of the application submitted, the Selection Board’s report, the objection in question, copies of any motivated letters which may have been submitted by the interested parties or by the Selection Board, as well as any supporting documentation;

(d) the Appeals Board shall hold the hearing in public. During such hearing the objection shall be heard and both the complainant and any interested party shall have the right to attend and to be accompanied by any person, professional or otherwise, who they consider suitable to defend their interests, and to make their submissions before the Board.  The Chairperson shall have the power to determine the procedure for the hearing of all objection/s lodged with the EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA and shall ensure that during the public hearing all interested parties are given the opportunity to make their case;

(e) the decision of the Appeals Board shall be rendered in writing; the Board shall indicate the reasons upon which such decision was taken, and the decision shall be notified to the interested parties.  The Appeals Board shall issue its decision within twenty (20) calendar days from the closing date of the appeal.

(f) the Director EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA shall affix a signed copy of the decision of the Appeals Board on the notice-board of the department  and shall forward copies of the decision to the applicant/s raising the objection and any persons who had registered or had an implied interest in the award of the grant.

12. On-the-Spot Checks

The EU Affairs Directorate together with the Fisheries Control Directorate and the EFF Managing Authority, will be responsible for the monitoring of the project implementation.  The Intermediate Body may also contract third party expertise to support it in its control function.

Furthermore the Intermediate Body reserves the right to conduct administrative spot checks throughout programme duration. 

The on-the-spot checks may verify the conditions of aid relating to:

1. Controls before the signature of the contract
2. Control prior to final payment
3. The Fishing Fleet Registry
4. Tonnage of the vessel
5. Other controls as may be deemed necessary.

13. Final Submissions:

It is very important that the old vessel is removed from the Fishing Vessel Register.  The EU Affairs Directorate, MRRA retains the right to inspect the project at any stage.

Final payment will be effected once it is ascertained that the project has been carried out according to the proposal submitted and the conditions of the deed. 

14. Conditions:

By requesting the grant the beneficiaries acknowledges that:

Applicant must be the owner of the vessel and own a valid licence for commercial fishing within A or B categories of the Malta Fishing Vessel Register

The fishing vessel is older than 5 years of age

Vessels that are to be scrapped must be active vessels and must have shown fishing activity and registration of catches in each of the last 2 years, i.e. in 2010 and in 2011

Applicants who benefitted from other schemes under FIFG 2004-2006 or the Modernisation on Board Fishing Vessels and Selectivity schemes 2007-2013 may not apply for this scheme.

The owner must remove the vessel from the Maltese Fishing Fleet Register and cannot re-register the vessel in the Maltese Fishing Fleet Register as MFA, MFB, MFC or MFD.

Any false information will automatically disqualify an applicant.

Applications must be in conformity with the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act and any other applicable legislation. 

By accepting the grant, the Beneficiaries acknowledge that they are willing to implement the project by not later than 7th December 2012.

Fisheries Operational Programme 2007-2013
Project part-financed by the European Union
European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
Co-financing rate: 75% EU Funds; 25% National Funds
Investing in sustainable fisheries

2nd November, 2012