VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) vessel is patrolling waters near Sicily to tackle illegal lampuki fishing, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Ministry announced. The operation follows a Maltese request for increased enforcement in known hotspots, with the EFCA vessel having made port in Malta in June before resuming inspections in the Strait of Sicily.
The Ministry stressed that these efforts have been ongoing for years, not just during lampuki season, and reflect strong cooperation between Malta, EFCA, and the EU’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). European Fisheries Commissioner Kostas Kadis visited Malta in June, meeting local fishermen to discuss their challenges.
Lampuki fishing, regulated by EU law and GFCM recommendations, is only permitted from 15 August. While Malta is urging the EU to review this date due to climate-related shifts in migration patterns, authorities insist they will not condone breaches.
After footage emerged on 1 August of early lampuki catches, Malta alerted EFCA, which swiftly deployed the Ocean Sentinel for targeted patrols. The Ministry said this demonstrates Malta’s effectiveness in securing EU enforcement and in upholding regulations championed by MEP Thomas Bajada to penalise illegal fishing.
Fisheries Minister Anton Refalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to both fishermen’s livelihoods and long-term sustainability, while Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said highlighted climate change as a factor in reduced catches last year. A scientific study is underway to support Malta’s case with data.
The Ministry urged fishermen to report illegal activity with footage, coordinates, and boat details to strengthen enforcement ahead of the GFCM’s November meeting.
However, Nationalist MEP Peter Agius accused the government of failing to protect Maltese lampuki, alleging it did not report illegal fishing to Brussels despite knowing of abuses in Sicily and Tunisia last year. He warned this risks forcing Malta to import lampuki, further harming consumers and the industry.
Earlier this week, Bajada also called for urgent EU action after social media footage showed Italian and Tunisian fishers allegedly catching lampuki weeks before the legal season.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
