Malta is currently hosting the MedFish4Ever conference, with 140 delegates from 15 countries, who are part of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, meeting under one roof.
The conference is co-organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, and was opened today, 3rd October, and will continue tomorrow, 4th October.
The conference is being organised five years after the MedFish4Ever Declaration, an agreement that was reached in Malta in 2017. After several months of negotiations backed by the European Commission, this declaration reached an agreement for a period of ten years, with the aim of protecting the ecological, economic, and environmental health of the Mediterranean Sea.
During the official opening of the conference, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said emphasised on the importance of the conference whereby she explained how it facilitated discussion on both the successes and challenges that the fishermen and operators in the aquaculture sector are facing.
“Coming from a fishing community in Malta and having spent several years working to relieve the present problems regarding sustainability in the maritime sector, I have a great appreciation for the hard work and dedication that our fishermen show every day. Life at sea is not an easy one, and because of this, we as a Mediterranean community should work hand in hand to help fishermen in their work,” stated Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
The Parliamentary Secretary remarked that the past years have clearly shown, through scientific evidence, the ecological crisis we are facing not only with the fish stocks but for all biodiversity. She continued that climate change is accelerating and they urgently need to reflect on whether what they are doing is enough.
She mentioned how, in Malta, a wide consultation was held with the fishermen where legislative proposals were drawn up which, amongst others, will be discussed in Parliament. The Parliamentary Secretary said how specific measures were also introduced to encourage young fishermen, including a quota for catching tuna for fishermen under the age of 41.
“This conference marks another important step, where we have the opportunity to work together, as a Mediterranean, with one goal for a stronger sector for fishermen and all citizens,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
