A call for a substantial increase in bluefin tuna quotas is irresponsible, the coalition of Maltese NGOs fish4tomorrow said.

In a statement, the coalition expressed concern at the government’s call for a substantial increase in the bluefin tuna quota.

JD Farrugia, speaking on behalf of fish4tomorrow said it was a relief to hear Commissioner Karmenu Vella highlighting the importance of heeding scientific advice when allocating quotas for bluefin tuna two weeks ago and it might be a good idea for Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes to consider adopting a similar approach.

Mr Galdes’ call followed a recent report published by ICCAT’s Standing Committee on Research and Statistics.

This report indicated that bluefin tuna populations were recovering due to good fisheries management but the committee also continuously emphasised that the scientific data was still very limited and had to be continuously monitored for a a clearer picture to be obtained.

“This is especially true for the Mediterranean,” Mr Farrugia said.

The committee was also concerned about the current fishing capacity which, it believed, “could easily harvest catch volumes well in excess of the rebuilding strategy adopted by the commission”.

Fish4tomorrow urged decision makers to take a precautionary approach and maintain the current TAC as well as improve data collection techniques.

“This would ensure that, when the time is right, quotas may be increased without consequence. We would also like to continue to stress the importance of small scale fishing operations as these are the future for ensuring sustainable fisheries rather than the current industrial operations which are ultimately responsible for this collapse,” the coalition said.