Fisheries Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes has assured fishermen that a promised breakwater will be built to protect Marsaxlokk boats, following their concerns that the project had been “forgotten”.
“The government is aware of the Marsaxlokk fishing community’s preoccupation on this issue, and after a lack of action by the previous administration, it was included in this governemnt’s electoral manifesto,” a spokesman for Mr Galdes said.
He was contacted following scathing criticism from Marsaxlokk fishermen, who last week said the project had been promised but not delivered.
National Fisheries Cooperative president Marco Carabott said dozens of fishermen were having to spend long nights watching over their vessels as rough waves are drummed up with every sirocco wind.
“Just recently there was some rough weather that could have seriously damaged boats in the bay. There’s not much you can do but sit and hope your vessel stays secure. Spending the night helplessly looking on as waves pound your livelihood is a horrible feeling,” said Mr Carabott, also a fisherman.
Some 300 boats are moored in the idyllic Marsaxlokk Bay and, while the larger vessels often raise anchor and head towards Grand Harbour in rough weather, smaller boats have no choice but to face the waves and wind head-on.
We keep hearing how this will be delivered. For years now. I don’t think anyone cares about fishermen anymore
Mr Carabott said that while the bay already had a number of breakwaters, hese were either too small, too poorly constructed or, in one case, made the situation even worse.
The spokesman said, meanwhile, that the proposal for the construction of a breakwater next to the Hardstanding Facility and the restoration of another next to the power station would come to fruition.
He said the project was a major one which required several permits and scientific studies.
“To this effect, an application has been activated with the planning authority and an Environmental Impact Assessment together with an Appropriate Assessment were requested,” he said, adding that these were currently being finalised.
With regard to the financing of the project, the spokesman said the government had already committed EU funds under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to the realisation of the project.
Fishermen, however, are sceptical.
“I’ll believe it when I see it. We keep hearing how this will be delivered. For years now. I don’t think anyone cares about fishermen anymore,” said Toni Camilleri, a fisherman who raised concerns last week.