Alternattiva Demokratika has welcomed the cessation of purse seine fishing imposed by the European Commission.

As from midnight last night, no purse seiner from any EU member state except Spain can fish for bluefin tuna and the Spanish fleet will have to stop on Monday.

Vessels using other gear can still fish but the purse seine fleet is the most destructive one, AD said.

AD's spokesman for sustainable development, Carmel Cacopardo said the end of purse seining is good news for bona fide Maltese fishermen because purse seine fishing in the Mediterranean is depleting fish stocks completely and is destroying the livelihood of traditional Maltese fishermen.

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