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Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Aquatic Resources Malta Agency, Dr Frank Fabri launched the 'Conducting research together with fishermen' scheme.
This scheme continues to strengthen research in the fisheries sector and also aligns with Malta's national obligations as a Member State of the European Union. Through the scheme, in a period of just under two years, the Aquatic Resources Malta Agency has managed to make substantial achievements.
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said stressed, "Through another initiative for fishermen, we are continuing to conduct research in favour of this sector. This research is possible thanks to the cooperation of our fishermen. Through this scheme we will continue to collect information about our seas and fish so that as a Government we will have useful information that will help us formulate policy for the people."
The Agency's Chief Executive Officer Dr Frank Fabri explained how after the Agency published its strategic vision leading up to 2050, implementation began immediately. He continued that the scheme also aligns with this vision, where information is being collected together with fishermen with registered vessels, which is required for the Agency's mandatory research. He went on to explain that the Agency will do this with recognition and a payment of €320 per catch. This is part of the DC-MAP II programme and is co-financed by European funds. "The Agency is working hand in hand with fishermen and considers them as collaborators in research," concluded Dr Fabri.
Dr Marija Pia Gatt, who is responsible for the fisheries research section, said that it is very encouraging that around 60 fishermen have registered their interest for one or more of the 44 different fisheries that will take place during this year under nine different gears.
Source: Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights
