Restrictions on the fishing of swordfish have been finally proposed by the authorities. Din l-Art Ħelwa has for long been insisting that a size limit on the swordfish captured should be imposed. It was becoming obvious that year after year baby swordfish were being caught in large numbers and this is one of the cardinal signs of over fishing.

... it is time to change our eating habits- Stanley Farrugia Randon, member, executive committee, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Attard

Conscious of this situation, I have been resisting to buy any swordfish for the past two years. Whenever I enter a fish shop or visit a fish market and observe immature swordfish being sold, I invariably comment on the state of affairs and that this is endangering the sustainability of this fish, endangering the same livelihood of the fisherman. I always look for alternative fish to buy, choosing those which are not over fished.

Besides swordfish, I avoid tuna and grouper (dott and ċerna) which are also in danger. I ask for fish such as Mediterranean barracuda (lizz), mackerel (kavall), frigate mackerel (tumbrell), little tunny (kubrit), dorado (lampuki), letered perch (burqax), comber (serran), weever (traċna), bogue (vopi) and fish-farmed fish such as European seabass (spnott), gilthead seabream (awrat), meagre (gurbell) and salmon (not fish farmed in Malta). Mackerel and salmon are particularly high in Omega fish oils and so prevent heart disease and strokes.

Unfortunately I rarely find mackerel for sale, and this is a pity. Tons of mackerel are used as bait to fish for tuna and swordfish. To me this is nonsense as instead of eating a fish which is healthy and not endangered, we are using it to catch and eat another fish in danger of extinction. Most people prefer eating swordfish because it is easier to cut and eat. It has less bones, has a better presentation on the plate and can be cooked on the BBQ.

However it is time to change our eating habits. This will also encourage the fisherman to catch fish which is at present less commonly consumed because after all the fisherman “supplies” according to the demand.