The Plant Health Directorate has issued advice on the use of palm fronds by fishermen, to prevent the spread of the destructive Red Palm Weevil which had destroyed more than 800 trees two years ago.

In August it is common practice for fishermen to cut hundreds of palm fronds, which are used for dolphin fish (lampuki), in the traditional kannizzati fishing method.

The directorate advised fishermen that the removal of palm fronds should be followed immediately by insecticide treatment. Malta, along with other European countries, still faces the threat of the Red Palm Weevil, a beetle that bores into palm trees and destroys them within months.

Fronds should be cut as short as possible to minimise infested areas. Furthermore, palm fronds to be used by fishermen should only be collected from Wied Inċita.

In Gozo, palm fronds should only be collected from the Afforestation Section at an approved site after interested persons present a receipt issued by the Fisheries Section in Gozo.

Those seeking further infor-mation can contact the Plant Health Directorate on 2339 7100.