AD, stated Chairperson Arnold Cassola strongly deplores the government’s stand against the EU’s proposal to halt for two years the exploitation of the Bluefin Tuna to ensure that the species is not driven to extinction due to unsustainable pressure. The population of the breeding tuna in 2007 was only a quarter of the level of that of 50 years ago, most of the decline occuring in recent years.

The Maltese government’s opposition to the EU Commission proposal, added Carmel Cacopardo AD Spokesman on Sustainable Development and local government, not only shows a lack of an environmental commitment but also exposes the government’s willingness to back short term economic profit at the expense of natural resources.The livelihod of Maltese fishermen who use traditional fishing methods is being threatened by such behaviour.

On the basis of the precautionary principle established in International fora and enshrined in Malta’s Environment Protection Act, the Maltese government should have supported the EU’s proposal thereby protecting blue fin tuna from the unscrupulous exploitation by large scale industrial fishing. There is no need to wait for more detailed scientific studies, concluded Carmel Cacopardo, to arrive to the obvious conclusion that unless there is an immediate halt to bluefin tuna exploitation this species will become extinct shortly.

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