The Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers (FMAP) said this morning that the tuna business in Malta was highly regulated.

Farms were subject to ongoing spot checks and controlled by Maltese authorities and by inspectors from the European Union and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Fishermen had to provide documentary proof that the fish were caught legally and the chain of controls continued right up to the moment the fish were finally purchased for consumption abroad, mostly by Japanese interests.

It was foreseen that the regulation of the industry would become more stringent in view of further regulations the Fisheries Department was expected to introduce shortly.

The federation invited people who had information on any purported to send it to it for proper verification. It said it engaged independent experts to prepare a report on the tuna farming business in Malta. All information submitted would be verified, studied and if necessary followed up and implemented.

It said it would never allow third parties to damage the industry and the reputation of its members and of Malta and would be taking action to defend itself, its reputation and the industry.