A pest which in the last decade decimated more than 5,000 palm trees may have a direct impact on the lampuki (dolphin fish) season due to a shortage of palm fronds, used to make rafts for fishing this popular marine species.

First reported in Malta in 2007, the red palm weevil spread like wildfire all over the island in a matter of months. Despite efforts to keep this pest confined to Malta, by 2012 it had also spread to the sister island and two years later was even reported in Comino.

According to official records, by May of last year almost 5,200 palm trees had fallen victim to this pest, which accounted to about 11 per cent of the total palm tree population of the Maltese Islands. However, experts believe the figure could be higher, as not all cases are reported to the authorities.

With the start of the lampuki season looming, Marsaxlokk councillor Daniel Zerafa last week made an appeal on Facebook on behalf of a number of fishermen, whom he said were struggling to find enough palm fronds to set up the netting.

The response received from individuals who are willing to donate fronds from their own palm trees was positive

Known in Maltese as a ċima or ċimi in plural, this kind of netting takes the form of a large flat raft made from the palm fronds which are pulled out at sea. Their scope is simply to attract lampuki schools which seek some shade around midday, thus becoming easy prey for the fishermen.

Joseph Zahra from the Koperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd confirmed that the advent of the red palm weevil had led to a shortage.

“Until a few years ago, palm fronds were available in abundance but now we are encountering a shortage. The issue has been compounded by the fact that the number of ċimi in recent years has increased as lampuki are in demand more than ever,” he said.

Mr Zahra estimates that the number of ċimi is about 3,000.

While for the time being the shortage is not yet alarming, if the situation gets worse the only solution could be to revert to obsolete practices which were still used 40 years ago

“In those days the netting used to be made of flat wooden pallets with bamboo sticks or old carpets. However, their weight poses a problem, as they are heavier than palm fronds to lift,” Mr Zahra remarked.

By law it is illegal to prune palm trees located in public places and the advent of the red palm weevil has meant that tighter restrictions have come into force to ensure that this pest in not spread further.

Last week the Plant Health Directorate warned fishermen to abide by the existing regulations. Palm fronds must be cut as short as possible to decrease the chance of infestation which is normally found in their lower part.

Furthermore, the cut should be sealed using a mixture of insecticides or sealants, since the weevil is attracted to fresh lesions in the palm tree. The directorate also insisted that the palm trees themselves from which fronds are taken must also be treated three consecutive times to ensure maximum protection.

It also pointed out that canary palms, which are the most prevalent in Malta, are the most susceptible to infection.

Meanwhile, the appeal made by the Marsaxlokk councillor did not fall on deaf ears.

“The response received from individuals who are willing to donate fronds from their own palm trees was positive, and I was even contacted by people from Mellieħa,” Mr Zerafa said.

He added that fishermen had already been contacted to make the necessary arrangements in line with the plant health directorate’s regulations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry for Gozo has said it will provide palm fronds free of charge for fishermen in Gozo.