Din L-Art Ħelwa concern over dwindling fish stocks

Din l-Art Ħelwa has called for a halt to illegal fishing to prevent dramatic fish stock reductions.

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) estimates that 51 per cent of all blue fin tuna caught in the Mediterranean last year was illegal and unauthorised.

Din l-Art Ħelwa said over-fishing and fishing using illegal methods were also affecting other species of fish, such as black-tailed bream (kaħli) and grouper (ċerna). Amateur and professional fishermen were noting that they had to spend more time and effort to catch the same amounts of fish as previous years.

The heritage organisation said fishermen were using nets with smaller mesh sizes and smaller hooks. As a result, more immature fish were being caught, leading to a decrease in fish stock.

Immature swordfish were being caught in large quantities and these were often seen in fish shops, but less importance was given to this species because the fish was not as economically important as tuna.

Din l-Art Ħelwa appealed to the government to step up its efforts regarding these illegal practices.