GRTU official Joe Attard recently had a meeting with Dr Andreina Fenech Farrugia, Director General of Fisheries at Ghammieri. The Union said that during the last few weeks a number of pleasure boat operators in Gozo complained that they do not have a docking facility for their use.

“In Malta there are currently two private facilities that are very expensive and another facility in Marsaxlokk which is however made available only for the use of fisherman and on the other hand pleasure boats are not allowed to make use of it. As such, the nearest facility they can make use of and that is more reasonably priced is in Sicily,” the Union said.

The Fisheries DG pointed out that the issue has already been brought to her attention from individuals and the Directorate has as such already requested guidelines from both State Aid Directorate and the Competition watchdog MCCAA, the Union said.

She explained that the first hurdle is the legal issue and once that is overcome the logistical problems will be taken on board. She was sceptical due to state aid issues or competition law issues. She mentioned that private docking operators have already written directly to the Commission over the matter.

GRTU noted that it is aware that these operators face an uphill struggle although they also contribute to the economy. GRTU further commented on the fact that although the Mgarr harbour project was affected there were no plan for a docking facility for Gozitans.

GRTU Gozo representative Joanna Mifsud who was also present for the meeting outlined how these operators have been complaining year in year out, saying that for the pleasure boat industry “there seemed to be only problems without solutions.”

Ms. Andreina Fenech Farrugia advised that feedback regarding the issue will be forwarded to GRTU by the second week of October. The fisheries facility manager and the legal advisor were also present for this short cordial meeting.

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