Valletta (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Malta’s Labour MEP Thomas Bajada notes to the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee to take quick action over concerns presented by Lampuki fishers over the sale of fish at other member nations during the closed season.
What Are the Concerns Raised by MEP Bajada?
“This situation poses a substantial threat to the EU’s conservation efforts and the job of GFCM in promoting sustainable management of this culturally significant fish stock in Maltese homes. Furthermore, illicit fishing during the closed season not only breaks these regulations but also disrupts the level playing field in the Mediterranean Sea, unfairly disadvantaging our fishers,” the MEP stated in a letter to committee head Spanish MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz.
Reacting to the issue, Nationalist MEP Peter Agius criticised the government over failing to work on the “discrimination” against Maltese fishermen, who he expressed have to abide by the laws, while their European and Mediterranean partners do not.
On the other hand, Fisheries Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said hit the Nationalist MEP for what she stated was “misinformation”. “Read, understand the rules, and then speak,” Bugeja stated in reply to Agius’s statements.
How Is Malta Addressing Illegal Lampuki Fishing During the Closed Season?
Malta “laboured hard to negotiate a decent quota for local fishing enthusiasts,” the MEP stated, explaining that the first bid only allowed hobbyists to catch one Lampuka per day. “Today, hobbyists can catch up to 10 kilos every day or 70 kilos a week, this suggests that a boat with three fishermen can catch up to 30 kilos every day.”
She stated, addressing the MEP, “This is all populism from your end and unfortunately this movement of misinformation is deceiving Malta’s fishing enthusiasts. I understand that you’re just beginning in the European Parliament but I hoped that you’d do your study and also understand how these laws are drawn up.”
She stated before the rules were drawn up, fishers were permitted to fish after the Santa Marija feast, and Maltese fishermen were the only ones aiming to catch the fish, but now “it has become everyone’s catch. If there is a law, it must apply to everyone, I will never accept that Malta is at a disadvantage,” she said.
