Alternattiva Demokratika has criticised the position taken by Resources Minister George Pullicino and other Mediterranean ministers who earlier this week resisted EU calls to reduce the quota of tuna catches.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairman, said: ‘It is shameful that the Maltese government keeps playing to the tune of big business interests which are only interested in making as much profit in the shortest timeframe possible, periling tuna populations in the process. The unsustainable fishing of blue fin tuna shall lead to extinction of this fish unless urgent measures are taken, as recommended by the European Commission, by scientists and environmental NGOs such as WWF’.

Simon Galea, AD spokesperson for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, added: ‘In upcoming meetings on fisheries, the Maltese Government should support calls for further cuts in tuna catches, which, will ultimately ensure the survival of this species in the Mediterranean, and which will guarantee a future for fishermen using traditional and sustainable fishing methods’.

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