The European Commission has warned Mediterranean countries to make sure that no fish caught in Libyan waters is imported into the EU.

This is the second alert in a week issued with regard to the Libyan fishing zone, considered as one of the most lucrative areas of bluefin spawning. Last week, international NGOs Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund claimed that Libyan purse seiners had left Maltese ports to fish illegally for tuna, an allegation vehemently denied by the Maltese authorities.

In a letter addressed to the authorities in member states whose fishermen go out for tuna, EU Fisheries Commissioner Damanaki yesterday reiterated that due to the conflict in Libya and the fact that the Libyan authorities cannot guarantee adequate observance of the rules, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) had decided no fishing can be carried in the Libyan fishing zone this year. This does not only apply to Libyan fishing boats but also to EU-flagged fishing boats, including Maltese.

According to reports reaching the Commission, some Libyan purse seiners are still fishing despite the ban.

The Commission warned that no fish deriving from Libya can be imported into the EU, not even for fattening.

“Obligations arising from ICCAT Recommendations and from EU law prohibit domestic trade, landing, imports, exports, placing in cages for farming, re-exports and transhipments of bluefin tuna species that are not accompanied by accurate, complete and validated documentation,” Commissioner Maria Damanaki said.

Maltese fishermen, and particularly owners of tuna ranching facilities, have in the past collaborated closely with Libyan fishermen during the bluefin tuna season, which started on Monday. Most of the fish caught in Libya was sold to Maltese tuna ranchers for fattening while Maltese purse seiners used to fish in Libyan waters on Libya’s approval.

Geographically, Maltese fishing grounds are the closest to Libya’s. However, French and Italian fishermen are also known for their collaboration with the Libyans in this area of business.

According to industry sources, Maltese fish farms have no intention of buying any fish from Libya as they only want certified fish to be fattened in their cages.