Malta Increases Tuna Quota Months After Officials And Operators Were Implicated In EU-Wide Illegal Trade
Malta’s national tuna-catch quota is set to increase by 34,000 kilos (34 tonnes), Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries Clint Camilleri has announced.
In what he described as an “unprecedented” step, Malta’s quota for the upcoming tuna season will be 353,000 kilos (353 tonnes).
Camilleri also revealed that smaller operators will finally be able to legally fish for blue fin tuna.
Previously, the quota was distributed solely among the larger operators. This year, 63 vessels of the large operators will be able to catch 299 tonnes, while 52 operators with boats no longer than 12 metres will be allowed to catch an additional 40.5 tonnes.
Only operators who were able to catch at least 400 kilos of swordfish last year will be able to fish for tuna.
A further nine tonnes of by-catch fish and two tonnes for recreational fishing have been introduced.
The Times Of Malta quoted a government spokesperson as saying that the move will help increase enforcement of the industry.
The announcement comes just two months after allegations emerged that two leading operators and the director-general of the Fisheries Department were heavily linked with the illegal trade of tuna
LEAKED POLICE DOCUMENTS ALLEGING MFF INVOLVEMENT
The revelations form part of a wider pan-European investigation, dubbed Operation-Tarantelo, which has so far seen the seizure of more than 80,000 kilos of bluefin tuna and the arrest of 79 individuals, with the estimated value of the illegal trade standing at €25 million.
Fisheries Director Andreina Fenech Farrugia was immediately suspended after El Confidencial claimed that she could have potentially obtained payments from Spanish tuna-magnate and Mare Blu Director Jose Fuentes to use her influence.
Meanwhile, Malta Fish Farming Ltd (MFF) was named as “one of the suppliers of tuna illegally caught and fattened” in the country, just a week later
MFF LTD, owned by former Elbros owner Saviour Ellul, has “categorically” denied to El Confidencial that the company was “ever involved in the smuggling of illegal fish from Malta to Spain”.
Fenech Farrugia has also vehemently denied the claims, insisting that she held “highest standards of professionalism and fairness, treating all operators equally, and taking all appropriate actions where necessary”.
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