Updated 4.30 p.m. (Adds ministry statement) - Hundreds of fishermen held a protest this morning, angry at government fisheries policies as outlined in a programme presented to the European Union.  

The fishermen started their protest from the Park and Ride in Blata l-Bajda, where they arrived on seven coaches.

Some of them carried placards protesting that the government is not keeping its promises to them.

The fishermen said the government plans would lead to a reduction of fishins for several types of fish and leave them without a future.

They complained that the government, particularly Resources Minister George Pullicino, had not adequately safeguarded their interests.

This morning's protest was organised by the  National Fisheries Cooperative and the Fisheries Cooperative.

The fishermen - used to today's cold and wet weather - marched along National Road to the Resources Ministry in Floriana where many shouted insults at Mr Pullicino.

A ministry official invited representatives of the fishermen to go in for talks, but the fishermen insisted they would either all attend the meeting, or no one would.

They then handed the official two bags containing letters which the minister sent to the fishermen and which they said contained unkept promises.

They then started marching towards the Auberge de Castille where they handed in a similar letter.

MINISTRY STATEMENT

In a statement, the ministry said that following a meeting with the cooperative last week, it asked for concrete proposals on the points brought up during the meeting.

The ministry was waiting for this report and it received the fishermen’s proposals this morning.

These, it said, will be evaluated in the coming days and will serve as the basis for further discussions with the cooperative. It said that a meeting between the government and the cooperative was scheduled for this afternoon and this confirmed the government’s willingness to discuss.

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