Malta committed to tuna recovery plan

The Maltese authorities are committed to ensuring the success of the EU's blue fin tuna recovery plan in a bid to ensure the sustainability of fishing for this species in the Mediterranean, Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino insisted yesterday.

Earlier this week, the European Commission warned Malta it had no choice but to observe all the rules it had agreed to in the 15-year recovery plan for blue fin tuna fishing in the Mediterranean. Brussels also warned that Malta would face legal proceedings and possible fines if it allowed its fishermen not to observe the rules.

But Mr Pullicino said Malta was committed to observing these rules, adding that the Maltese fishermen, in meetings with the authorities, had also expressed their commitment to them.

Addressing the media, Mr Pullicino said scientific studies revealed the uncertainty surrounding the sustainability of blue fin tuna fishing in the Mediterranean. To this effect, Malta, through the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta, will be deploying vessels and an aircraft to ensure that the rules are observed in Maltese territorial waters.

In view of comments expressed by fishermen last week, Mr Pullicino assured them they will not be discriminated against and the Maltese authorities will be all eyes to ensure that every country's fishermen observe the rules.

The season for the fishing of blue fin tuna usually starts in May and ends on June 30. However, the monitoring will continue until the end of the year.

Mr Pullicino said Malta had trained seven observers who will be keeping an eye on fishing vessels along with other foreign observers. Moreover, 13 Maritime Squadron soldiers have also familiarised themselves with the rules and regulations as set out in the recovery plan.

"This year is crucial for the sustainability of blue fin tuna fishing. The monitoring plan will involve more than 50 vessels and 16 aeroplanes deployed by all the countries involved in tuna fishing," he said.

With regard to the discussions with Maltese fishermen, Mr Pullicino said that although there were still a few bones of contention, mainly on technical and legal points, they have agreed to observe the rules while the talks continue.

Anthony Gruppetta, director general of Veterinary Regulations and Fisheries Conservation and Control, said Spain, Italy and France, which are all major players, have already placed their vessels at the disposal of the exercise.

Dr Gruppetta said there are 91 vessels licensed to fish for blue fin tuna. Of these, only 47 or 48 are over 15 metres long.

On his part, AFM commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said the AFM has always been responsible for the control of fishing vessels in territorial waters. This year, the AFM would be conducting sea patrols for 10 full days every month, with air patrols taking place twice a week.

Last year, EU member states breached their blue fin tuna quota of about 4,000 tonnes, with France being the main culprit. As a result, tuna fishing was halted for the rest of the year.

Although Maltese fishermen respected their quota last year, they are currently up in arms against the European Commission and the government following the introduction of new EU rules imposing independent observers on their boats as from this season.