Pullicino makes case for small scale fishing

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino believes small scale fisheries and coastal communities should be taken into account when implementing the Common Fisheries Policy.

Studies showed “small scale fishing operations fish more sustainably and contribute more to employment”, he said.

To illustrate the effect large scale fishing operations had on coastal communities worldwide, Mr Pullicino recounted an anecdote where a Senegalese fisherman had approached European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki. He told her that “when your trawlers visit the seas of my country, my canoe returns empty” to which she had replied that any new agreement on fishing policy should include human rights clauses, which would have lasting benefits not just on Europe but also on the local communities.

In summer traditional Maltese fishermen had been complaining about how larger purse seiner fishing operations were depriving them of their livelihoods.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the EU’s committee of regions on the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and its role in the development of an integrated maritime policy. The meeting was held at the Corinthia San Ġorġ.

He said he fully agreed with the position adopted by Ms Damanaki, who had said that “business as usual is not an option but there is a future for fishermen” and was pushing for the sustainable management of fishing stocks.

Former European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg emphasised the need for a balance between maritime regulation and environmental considerations.

He said the EU had to lead the way when it came to enforcing maritime and fishing laws, even if other countries fishing in the same sea were not abiding by the same policies.

“I understand we should seek to address the question of how to protect fish stocks and local fishing communities. I think what we’re trying to do this morning is very much trying to find the right balance. When we’re speaking of reform we’re speaking of a balance on how to protect fish stocks and fishing communities in general,” Dr Borg said.

If fishing stocks were depleted, it was the fishing and coastal communities that suffered, Dr Borg noted, adding that the main focus of policy was how to seek to attain better management and form part of the wider issue relating to maritime policy.

“I can only speak in my personal capacity, from my experience when I was commissioner. The balance is to be found between the large scale fishermen and the smaller scale ones. It’s not true smaller coastal fishermen cause less pressure... the social consideration is bigger,” Dr Borg said.

He said measures could be launched to help traditional fishermen to make ends meet by using their vessels for more than one activity, such as tourism or educational activities and fish on a part-time basis.