“The success we achieved together, will be shared together, and enjoyed together”
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said, announced an action plan on how the categories will be distributed of the quotas for tuna catches for this year.
In a news conference with the theme, “Let’s get it done together”, Minister Anton Refalo explained that over the past months many meetings have been held at an international level in order for Malta to negotiate a quota from which registered fishermen can benefit. “I actually look at these negotiations as a success for our country and for this sector as, for this year, the quota that was allocated to Malta is 433,430 kg, which means an increase of 44,179 kg on the quota that was allocated for Malta in 2022,” Minister Refalo noted.
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, described the action plan as one that incentivizes growth, and rewards courage. “The time has come for the fishermen to reap the fruits of their sacrifice. It is time that the success we have achieved together, is shared together, and enjoyed together,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
The parliamentary secretary stressed that the tuna fishing season is important for the protection of the marine biodiversity around our country. This is just as tuna fishing gives rise to other species of fish, especially bottom ones, to grow and regenerate themselves.
“Thus, the sustainability of these species will continue to be ensured, and the work of our fishermen will be more stable.”
The action plan was launched after several weeks of direct discussion with all Maltese and Gozitan fishermen, through, among others, two consultation meetings.
In fact the fishermen were given a direct opportunity to express their thoughts in order to ensure that the distribution of quotas is fair, equitable and balanced. This year’s quotas will give new growth opportunities to existing fishermen, while they are incentivizing more young fishermen to take courage and invest in the sector.
The action plan is also creating a new category, so that fishermen who previously did not have the opportunity to get involved in this type of fishing, have the chance to catch a maximum of 350 kg.
Recreational fishing was also given an opportunity to flourish, as the quota for this sector this year was increased by a tonne to the quota, so that this year more amateur fishermen could carry out their hobby.
“We wanted everyone who invests their resources and time in this sector to be given the desired boost. We wanted to help in a fair way both the big and the small. Key among them are young people: we are giving them the courage to continue to see this sector as a sustainable employment opportunity. We invite them to make this leap, and take this chance,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
Minister Anton Refalo concluded by saying that, “With the confidence we have in our country, we will ensure that we continue to work in order to also give certainty and stability to the fishermen and to this sector as well. We want to see that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fishermen to ensure that this sector remains alive and that more young people also approach this sector so important for our country,” concluded Minister Refalo.
