AD has criticised the vote of the Maltese government of Malta, together with that of other some other governments, which has helped block a proposal of the European Commission to help conserve blue-fin tuna.

Chairman Michael Briguglio said in a statement:

"The proposed cuts of the European Commission would have helped ensure the survival of this species in the Mediterranean, guaranteeing a future for fishermen using traditional and sustainable fishing methods.

"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 will not only 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 and Greenpeace, but will also endanger the livelihood of the majority of Maltese fishermen who use traditional modes of fishing," he said.