Minister Anton Refalo, together with Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, visited the Fisheries Hub project in Marsa which will host the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This visit marked the completion of the construction of the building with an investment of approximately €1.2 million. The project will now move on to the second phase where with an investment of approximately €2.2 million the finishing works will begin after a public tender process has been concluded. This building is spread over four floors and will be equipped with facilities and technological equipment that will provide a more efficient service with modern infrastructure to serve the needs of the Department and the local fisheries sector. This project continues to strengthen the Government’s commitment to strategic investment in the fisheries sector.
This project is part of a broader vision that will improve working conditions, provide a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure and will also contribute to the regeneration of Marsa. The second phase of the project will include plastering, painting, tiling, water and electrical systems, air conditioning installation, openings and other works necessary for the building to be ready for its final stage.
Minister Anton Refalo stated that this project is progressing at a good pace and with a commitment to be completed on time and with the highest quality standards. He also stressed that this building is not just new infrastructure, but part of a larger change that will contribute to the regeneration of the Grand Harbour, an area of great historical and economic importance, while continuing to strengthen sustainable economic activity linked to fishing.
Minister Refalo added that this project falls under the third pillar of the National Fisheries Strategy, specifically the measure that focuses on investment in infrastructure and strengthening the capacities of the sector, as part of a long-term plan that aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of fishing in Malta.
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said said that the Fisheries Hub project is an investment for fishermen, workers and the entire community, and reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to offering higher quality services and ensuring a sustainable future for the fishing sector in Malta. The Parliamentary Secretary added that the Government is committed to continuing to invest in this sector because it firmly believes in the work and service that local fishermen provide to the community. “We are announcing one project after another because we recognise the importance of our fishermen. With a modern and central centre like this in Marsa, where various services related to the fisheries sector will be brought together, the service provided by public officials will continue to become more efficient,” said Bugeja Said.
She added that the Fisheries Hub will offer better and more accessible facilities, with a closer connection to the fishery, the Marine Section and the landing site, so that services are more coordinated and convenient.
Director General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Bjorn Azzopardi, said: “Through this investment, we will improve the quality of work and increase efficiency and, together with a digital system, we will be able to achieve the goal of excellent service. The Fisheries Hub will provide a safe and accessible space for both workers and customers, while being a building designed with environmental and sustainable considerations.”
He added that the project is progressing well, now that the construction works are complete and are in the second phase of finishing. Azzopardi explained that this centre will facilitate the daily work of fishermen by bringing together several essential functions in one place. This project will also contribute to the Marsa regeneration plan, with an investment that not only strengthens the fishing sector, but also improves the urban environment and clearly demonstrates the Government’s vision for more modern and sustainable communities.
