Exploiting fisheries while protecting the resource from collapse is a slippery business. Fish stocks are no longer being considered in isolation but in the light of damage to other species. Looking at how to run fisheries in a way that they can be sustained has led to an ecosystem-based approach.

In Australia, no product from a fishery can be exported unless it has an eco-system based management plan. The United Nations Fisheries and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) gives guidance but it is politicians who must take responsibility and act.

A new set of technical rules will come into force for the Mediterranean in 2010 and Europe's fisheries policy is up for another review in 2012.

At a seminar hosted by APS Bank, some sobering statistics emerged. Hake (merluzz) is being fished out of Malta at a rate 40 per cent higher than that which will allow for stocks to recover. Fishing capacity for shrimp must be cut by 30 per cent and legislation on the size of nets must be enforced.

The population of Atlantic tuna, which migrates though the Mediterranean, is unable to replenish itself at present rates of overfishing by illegal operators. The stock is less than what is needed to sustain fisheries.

A 2008 assessment for Atlantic bluefin tuna reports that spawning stock biomass has been declining rapidly for several years. It is 13 per cent below the level needed for recovery and maintaining yields. A strategy to reduce fishing mortality aims to see the catch reduced to 15,000 tonnes per year.

Senior Fisheries Resources officer for FAO, Gabriella Bianchi, said that decisions had to be made now based on available information. More emphasis must be given to participation of a broader range of stakeholders at each step of implementation.

The European Court of Justice made waves over France's use of illegal driftnets for tuna fishing. Prohibited in the EU since 2002, 'thonaille' nets were at the centre of a storm this month with the European Commission.

France was reeled in for not controlling, inspecting or taking sanction measures against offending vessels. Pirate boats operating out of Italian harbours are likely to be the next target.

Italy has had to return €7.7 million that was fraudulently used for driftnets. The subsidies were originally granted to convert to other types of fishing gear less damaging to sustainability.

A recovery plan for the eastern stock of Atlantic bluefin tuna is to be adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna next month. This year's management plan for bluefin tuna submitted in January brings Malta in line with the new ICCAT regulations.

Many stocks are over-fished in the Mediterranean Sea and there are large gaps in the information relating to catches and equipment used. Discards of non-target fish caught are on the increase and 'recreational' fishing is not well regulated.

The Scientific Advisory Committee of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) warns that a large number of stocks are operating at, or close to, optimal yield. New specifications for trawl nets, minimum hook sizes and logging of catches 15 kilos or above are forthcoming.

As part of the plan for the integration of systems supporting the eco-system based approach, a regional version of Fisheries Ecosystem Information System will be posted on the GFCM server. Once this is opened up as a social network it will enable users to input data.

This year a push to extend data coverage to the eastern Mediterranean will improve knowledge of the state of the whole region's fisheries. Information is being gathered on the structure of the fleet to allow informed decisions to be taken. Country participatory working groups are needed so that stakeholders can have a say.

Implementation of a more eco-friendly approach to fisheries will start with a few countries as a test case. An action plan could mean closed seasons, a minimum landing size, reducing the size or power of boats, and reductions in the amount of time vessels are allowed to spend at sea.

Results will be hard to net without political will and dialogue with all stakeholders. A proposal for year-round control is being discussed but the Armed Forces of Malta must commit resources for exercises to be carried out.

Europe's reformed Common Fisheries Policy promotes measures to ensure fishing pressure is not higher than fish stocks can maintain. The policy includes an obligation to set up fisheries protected areas.

A marine area of conservation with 'no-take' zones, allowing the resource to renew itself, was officially launched off Golden Bay a year ago. However, this is "still being developed".

The Centre for Fisheries Sciences in Marsaxlokk is studying fish found in the coastal zone to help establish protected spawning and nursery areas. To salvage stocks for fishing in the years to come decisions have to be taken on which areas to protect.

Head of Fisheries, Anthony Grupetta, appealed for a more solid enforcement programme to make sure all obligations leading to the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy were achieved.