Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said, announced the establishment of a new entity called Aquatic Resources Malta. This entity will start investing in new research and innovation projects, which will boost the local fishing and aquaculture sectors.
Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said stressed that this entity will help the Government to broaden its horizons regarding what is happening in our waters, both from an ecological point of view, as well as from a socio-economic one. “These initiatives will help us sustain the existing fish stocks in our seas, as well as ensure a more economically and environmentally sustainable fishing sector. Fishing and aquaculture have great potential for the growth of the blue economy in our country. This entity will send a clear signal of the way forward for these sectors, and will help our country to take the next steps,” she said.
The Parliamentary Secretary also explained how this entity will lead to both local and international scientists joining new regional and global collaboration projects. Alicia Bugeja Said also stressed how during the last few years, the aquaculture sector has succeeded in hatching species such as aurat, sea bass and achjol.
“Through such an entity, we will promote knowledge about the hatching and raising of new species, such as tench, octopus and urchins, which can potentially translate into restocking programs. This is to strengthen fish stocks and their sustainability.” “Collaboration opportunities like these are also crucial in light of the investment we are attracting to the Exclusive Economic Zone of our country. Here, a call will be made for the establishment of new fish farms beyond the coast, which will offer new job opportunities for our young people, as well as a greater selection of fish for local consumers and foreign markets,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.
