Official explains fisherman's problem to find a berth

The consortium developing the Vittoriosa waterfront could not expect a fisherman to remove a 26-metre trawler until he was provided with an alternative berth, the director-general of fisheries said yesterday.

Dr Anthony Gruppetta took the witness stand before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi and explained how Andrew Bugeja was asked to remove his trawler after having berthed on the waterfront for more than five years.

Dr Gruppetta said the government had not carried out a proper impact assessment before it moved to lease the waterfront.

He testified in the compilation of evidence against Bugeja, 53, of Birzebbuga, who is pleading not guilty to exercising a presumed right when he berthed the Carmela on the private property of Grand Harbour Marina Limited.

Dr Gruppetta said Bugeja's trawler was one of the biggest in Malta and he did not have anywhere else to berth apart from Grand Harbour.

When the government leased the harbour to a private consortium in 1999, several attempts were made to find a new berthing place for Bugeja's trawler. Dr Gruppetta explained that the Malta Maritime Authority was responsible for the berthing of boats.

Bugeja was first moved from Vittoriosa to the Freeport but eventually, he ended up back in Vittoriosa.

"I had phoned the Maritime Authority to ask them where Bugeja was to move his trawler. But they told me they did not have a berthing place for him.

"He has to stay at the Vittoriosa harbour until an alternative berth is found."

Dr Michael Tanti Dougall, the consortium's lawyer, said the company had lost money because Bugeja's boat was hindering development.

Ports Director John Schembri said berthing on the Vittoriosa waterfront did not fall within his jurisdiction and, in any case, he would only be able to provide Bugeja with a temporary berth, not a fixed one. He invited Bugeja to his office to discuss a solution.

The case continues.

Police Superintendent Lawrence Cutajar is prosecuting.