The government is investing in research on the fish of the Maltese islands through involvement in various projects, both national and international, to make the fisheries sector more sustainable.
In these projects, the Fisheries Research Unit within the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights is conducting scientific research dealing with the biological and socio-economic aspects of fisheries.
The government is currently conducting research on fish around the Maltese islands through the annual MEDITS (Mediterranean International Trawl Survey) study. Minister Anton Refalo said that this research is done with the aim of better understanding the sustainability of fish stocks. This study lasts about two weeks, where a Maltese fisherman’s boat is used, equipped for this type of research and the fish are caught in order to analyze these various stocks.
Through the extensive data gathered from this survey, the research section will be publishing a number of reports, as well as scientific studies aimed at improving the fisheries sector.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said this is one study among many being funded through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020. He explained that this research forms part of the ‘data collection’ project for which a total of around € 5 million has been allocated.
Thus, the Parliamentary Secretary stressed that Malta will be able to honor its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as the Integrated Maritime Policy of the European Union.
These reports and scientific studies will be able to give a clearer picture of the state of demersal fish in Maltese territorial waters. Therefore, through this research, the government will have at its disposal the scientific evidence necessary to inform the fisheries policy at the regional level, and see to it that the plans drawn up in the regional fora are substantiated. on the pillars of sustainable development for the sector.
As part of the obligations under the data collection framework, the biometric data collected from this survey will be submitted to the Commission of the European Union through the Mediterranean Sea and Data Call. Black Sea
