Lm2.4 million package for local fishermen

The government has unveiled a Lm2.4 million financial package in aid for local fishermen to strengthen their operations. The package, revealed to fishermen's representatives by Fisheries Minister Ninu Zammit yesterday, has been worked out in the light of the 25-mile fishing conservation zone around the islands negotiated by government and also in the light of new regulations on fishing vessels.

The financial aid will start being given to fishermen as from September and will be spread over 18 months.

Mr Zammit said that the aid will be available - in varying degrees - to both full- and part-time fishermen, as well as to market fishermen.

The financial package is divided into two schemes and it is estimated that 700 owners of boats which are larger than six metres will be eligible.

The first scheme is targeted towards owners of boats larger then 12 metres to equip themselves better so that they could fish in the high seas beyond the 25-mile conservation zone.

Under the deal being negotiated with the EU, boats which are larger then 12 metres would not be allowed to fish within the conservation zone with certain exceptions, such as for fishing for lampuki and fishing using the lampara system.

Aid under the first scheme varies between Lm10,000 and Lm50,000, depending on a number of factors including the size of the vessel, the power of the engine, the type of fishing and whether the fisherman involved is full- or part-time.

The second scheme is aimed at increasing security and safety on the vessels. The financial aid under the second scheme varies according to many factors and ranges between Lm1,000 and Lm10,000.

The government is also expected to spend Lm115,000 so that 60 vessels whose size ranges from 12 to 24 metres - and which would still be allowed to fish within the conservation zone despite of their size - will have a satellite system installed.

Among other things, the satellite system registers the location of the vessel, allowing the authorities to manage better the conservation zone, ensuring that no unauthorised fishing takes place within the conservation zone.

Mr Zammit said that the system would also strengthen the personal security of the fishermen on board since they would be able to communicate better.

Through this investment, the fishermen will be able to abide by new security and safety regulations which were about to be announced.

A series of information meetings with the boat owners and fishermen will be held to explain the details of what is being negotiated as well as the financial package.

Mr Zammit stressed that the 25-mile conservation zone will guarantee the future of the fishing industry in the country as well as the livelihood of fishermen.

Matthew Camilleri, a consultant with the fisheries ministry, explained that it would be practically impossible for foreign fishermen to fish within the 25-mile conservation zone.

Although the fisheries chapter is still open, the government and the EU Commission have virtually reached an agreement. However, this has to be endorsed by individual member states. Negotiations on this chapter are expected to be closed over the coming weeks.

In a meeting of the Malta-EU steering and action committee held several weeks ago, the government explained the basis of the agreement to representatives of the fishermen.

The authorities estimate that out of 1,500 boats, only around 50 boats are longer than 12 metres. The large majority of the Maltese boats larger than 12 metres are believed to already fish in international waters outside the 25-mile conservation zone.

The agreement also specifies that fishing within the conservation zone should be kept at the current level, which means that no other boats - whether Maltese or foreign - would be allowed to start fishing in the zone.

The government maintains that the basis of agreement not only guarantees that no harm would be done to the amount of fish within Maltese territorial waters but fully safeguards the livelihood of Maltese fishermen.

Ivan Portanier, the public relations officer of the national fishermen's co-operatives, yesterday said it was too premature to comment on what was being negotiated with the EU and on the financial package revealed by government. He said that the details now have to be discussed with the members of the co-operatives.

On a personal level, Mr Portanier said he viewed both the conservation zone being negotiated with the EU as well as the financial package as "interesting developments".