Bluefin tuna quotas and Maltese interests

I refer to Joseph M. Sammut's letter Tuna Fishing Reports: Public Shame For Malta (November 28).

Although the fisheries department replied incessantly to every allegation raised, and has published several explanations, the Opposition MP still decided to repeat the various unfounded allegations which have been carried over the past months by a local section of the press. This is sheer irresponsibility by someone whose main interest should be to defend Malta and Maltese interests. I wonder whether Dr Sammut has consulted the local tuna farm operators before rushing to repeat the allegations against their interests, first and foremost. I am sure he would have been given all the replies he is seeking. I am also sure they would have told him of the continued consultations that were ongoing between ministry officials and themselves during the said meeting.

In a remarkable twist, Dr Sammut also writes about shameful behaviour in his missive. What is truly shameful is that instead of at least trying to investigate the facts, Dr Sammut chose the simplest and most opportunistic way out - to repeat the allegations in order to shed doubt about the management of our fisheries department, and consequently government. This is a strategy so dear to Labour (so much for the new season of doing politics!).

For the record, Dr Sammut should by now know that during the Marrakesh meeting held recently, the Compliance Commission of ICCAT and the permanent working group of the same commission discussed actions to be taken on 44 different issues of non-compliance by 12 countries, and five non-contracting parties for other issues. The European Community was identified in the first list for missing data but none of the issues arising refer to the claim as alleged by your correspondent.

In fact that there was no discussion about the explanation given by the European Community on behalf of Malta, and the issue of the carryover of blue fin tuna from one year to another was never discussed. Carryovers are not a prerogative to Malta and in the Adriatic they are the regular method for farming of small blue fin tuna. During the same Marrakesh meeting, a particular contracting party compiled a list of alleged accusations presented in the worldwide press over the past months. Malta is actually mentioned twice out of the 44 allegations. All the contracting parties at ICCAT strongly remarked that allegations in the press should not be accepted unless they are backed by evidence. Many contracting parties actually expressed their disappointment at this particular contracting party who opted to cast doubts without any supporting proof.

With regard to the repeated allegation involving 210 tons of fish caught by the Moroccan purse-seiner Le Marsouin, may I point out that the fisheries department holds the Moroccan Fisheries competent authority's approval of that transfer of live fish to a Maltese farm in 2007. Our fisheries department definitely does not have any reason whatsoever to forget or hide 210 tons of legally caught and approved tuna that needs formal certification to be marketed.

Dr Sammut is also asked to consider the ministry's standing invitation to whoever is concerned to check all documents pertaining to this highly important industry for the Maltese economy. Dr Sammut, and everyone concerned, must know that the ministry will not defend any illegalities. But the ministry is prepared to go all the way in order to defend Malta's name, the ministry's handling of the local tuna industry and the interests of the local operators.