Fishermen say the proposed floating gas storage facility in Marsaxlokk would be unsafe and pose serious risks to residents due to strong south-easterly currents occasionally wreaking havoc there.

Fisheries Cooperative president Ray Bugeja yesterday did not mince his words, saying that whoever had been advising the government on the planned gas-fired plant had made “a complete mess”.

He recalled that, about 40 years ago, large rocks that formed part of a reef located close to the proposed site for the storage facility had been completely swept away by the strong currents. Underestimating the force of nature would be a huge mistake, he said.

Mr Bugeja questioned the reasons behind the decision not to carry out a maritime impact study. “Why is the government in such a hurry to forge ahead with this project?” he asked.

He hit out at the government for its “lack of political will” to move the sector forward. Labour had not yet started to deliver on its pre-election pledges even though it had been in office for more than a year, he added.

Mr Bugeja called on the Prime Minister to heed the fishermen’s warning that they would resort to alternative ways to make their voices heard. He declined to give further details when pressed about the effects of the possible escalation of their actions.

He said the government was obliged to take measures not to let the fisheries industry “scupper”.

He said that, in spite of all the pledges for change, the same arrogance that prevailed under the previous administration was still there.

Why is the government in such a hurry to forge ahead with this project

Mr Bugeja said, so far, no progress had been registered to set up a council to look into their complaints through their direct participation.

He pointed out that the hard standing facility in Marsaxlokk still left much to be desired because the government had done nothing to appoint a management board involving the cooperative.

He was also critical of the scheme to compensate fishermen during the closed swordfish season.

Mr Bugeja said members were being “humiliated” as each fisherman was only set to receive about €200 a month or up to €1,000 per vessel.

The scheme, he argued, was only introduced for political expediency.

He said in February last year, at the height of the election campaign, the Labour leader promised to appoint a senior official who would be dedicated to the fisheries. However, no such appointment had been made.

The government insisted last night that the maritime aspect had been taken into consideration when planning the project. It said a simulation exercise by Transport Malta showed the floating storage unit would not hinder the operation of large ships entering Freeport, let alone fishing vessels. Even the force of nature was taken into account by the experts, the government added.

The Energy Ministry said it could not understand how one could say Marsaxlokk port was not safe when continuous activity there, including ships with aviation fuel, had been taking place for the past 50 years.

The Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights said regular meetings had been held with fishermen.

It said that compensation for the closed season amounted to an average of €1,100 a month for every owner of vessels fishing for swordfish rather than €200 as Mr Bugeja claimed.

The secretariat said a management committee made up of the two fishermen’s cooperatives had been set up to handle the hard standing facility.

Labour’s pledges

• Setting up a consultative council for agriculture and fisheries with the direct representation of cooperatives from the sectors.

• A national strategy for fisheries and aquaculture.

• The continuation of the VAT exemption scheme on diesel used for fishing vessels.

• Sustaining the scheme to compensate fishermen during closed seasons.

• A scheme to credit fishermen up to three months’ of social security contribution during the closed season.

• A more transparent management of the hard standing facility in Marsaxlokk, potentially with the involvement of fisheries cooperatives.

• Restoration of the Delimara power station breakwater and the construction of a new breakwater close to the hard standing facility.

• Ensuring Malta’s position in the EU reflects a more sustainable model for local fishermen.