Nature Trust Malta said it saw the need to integrate environmental protection requirements into the European Fisheries Fund as a strategic priority.
Overfishing and environmentally harmful fishing practices have made the fisheries sector unsustainable, compromising the ecosystem and the fishermen's livelihood, Nature Trust said. It said it was pleased to note the start of discussions over the European Commission's proposals for the implementation of the European Fisheries Fund and agreed with the proposals.
These focus on the recovery of exhausted fish stocks, the management of those in better condition, the need for sustainable development in the coastal fishing areas and the development and use of more selective and environment-friendly fishing gear.