VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Reports from Maltese fishermen have led to the discovery of illegal fishing by Tunisian vessels in Maltese waters. The inspections were carried out by officials from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) aboard the Ocean Sentinel following alerts made to the Department of Fisheries.
Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries Alicia Bugeja Said confirmed that the vessels were traced operating in areas traditionally used by Maltese fishermen. She praised the cooperation between local fishers and enforcement authorities, stressing that abuses of this kind will not be tolerated.
“This confirms that through the cooperation of our fishermen and the immediate action taken by the Department together with EFCA, we are managing to stop these abuses,” she said.
Bugeja Said added that violations placing Maltese fishermen at a disadvantage were “unacceptable” and promised that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure justice.
Incidents involving Tunisian fishers are not new. In 2019, reports surfaced of Gozitan fishermen being threatened with machetes and Molotov cocktails. In 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta intercepted two Tunisian vessels, with both captains fined €10,000.
Concerns about illegal lampuki fishing have also been raised by Maltese MEPs Thomas Bajada and Peter Agius. Bajada said the latest incident shows why stronger bilateral and international collaboration is needed, noting he had already raised the matter with the Tunisian Ambassador.
– photo Armed Forces of Malta –
(ITALPRESS).
