Minister gives blessing to lampuki fishing

Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino emphasised that the government recognised the importance of lampuki fishing.

Mr Pullicino was speaking on Wednesday evening during the annual ceremony of the blessing of boats used for this particular type of fishing in Marsaxlokk.

Lampuki fishing is seasonal and usually commences on August 15, the feast of Santa Marija. The total annual catch of lampuki in the Mediterranean has remained constant, currently reaching 1,000 tonnes of fish, of which Maltese and Gozitan fishermen contribute from 330 - 500 tonnes, the minister said.

Mr Pullicino said that due to its importance, lampuki fishing was one of the issues negotiated by Malta with the European Union. In fact, a regulation (no. 813/2004) issued on April 26 deals specifically with conservation measures related to Maltese waters. This signifies the European Union's acknowledgement of the importance of lampuki fishing to Malta, he said.