The Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, together with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, launched an information campaign about Maltese fish which is not very popular with consumers.
Minister Anton Refalo reiterated this: “It is an honour for me to officially open the national campaign ‘Discover Variety, Eat Sustainable Fish’, which embraces a clear vision, to change the way we look at our sea, at our fish, and at what is put on the table every day.” He explained that this initiative brings together health, the environment and the economy. “This is not a campaign like others, but one of awareness, education and action, encouraging consumers to choose abundant but often forgotten local fish, such as the Mackerel, the Mackerel and the Kubrit,” said the Minister.
He added that the perception that buying fish requires a lot of money is often incorrect. “Local fish is not only of excellent quality and fresher, but is also often cheaper than imported products. When we choose local, we are eating well and at the same time supporting our fishermen and the local economy.” “Through this campaign we want to encourage everyone to discover the wealth of our sea and include more sustainable fish on our daily plate. The sea gives us life, food and our identity, let’s respect it by eating wisely, choosing local and building a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, explained how this initiative continues to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to a sustainable fisheries sector through the European Programme for Aquaculture, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs (EMFAF). He said that, “Our sea is an important resource, and we have a duty to care for it wisely and with vision. The EMFAF programme does not only mean a financial investment, but an investment in the future of our sea and the fishing community. Through it, we are offering real support to make the sector more viable, more innovative and more respectful towards the environment.”
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said explained that, “When we choose to eat local fish, we are choosing to support our fishermen. We have abundant, fresh and high-quality local fish species, which unfortunately are rarely given the appreciation they deserve. This campaign encourages everyone to discover the great variety of sustainable fish that we have in our country — a choice that is not only good for the environment, but also for our economy and for generations to come. It is important to teach our children that fish is not only salmon, tuna or lampuki, but that our sea is full of different fish that have a very high nutritional value. When we eat local fish, we are supporting our fishermen, protecting our sea, and building a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.”
The Acting Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture said that this will be a campaign that must reach and benefit everyone. We want to encourage children to start tasting different types of fish and explain to them about the benefits for their health from a young age. This campaign can be used and continued in schools. It will also mean a wider range of healthy and more affordable fish for consumers, more sales and more varied sales for fish shops, and last but not least an increase in demand for fish and fish that are not very appreciated and bring a good price with the aim of our fishermen receiving a better income and that they deserve for the hard work and sacrifices they make at sea to provide us with fresh fish.
Azzopardi concluded that in addition to these economic and nutritional benefits, consuming different fish also means benefits for the marine environment and the fish species themselves because we will be expanding the demand for consumption of various fish species.
This campaign is part of the Government’s electoral programme to continue promoting the fishing sector and safeguarding fishermen.
