For the first time, Malta has been certified to be fully compliant with the implementation of ICCAT Recommendations in the context of the Bluefin tuna fishing and farming industry, the Government said today.
This important certificate was received following a two-month technical verification mission, held in Malta by officials from the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
In their report the European Commission officials explain how the Maltese Government has allocated the proper human and technical resources to ensure compliance with ICCAT and EU Regulations.
The European Commission also notes in its report that “Malta has also set up a special inspection team with non-stop stand-by operation during the Bluefin tuna season equipped with highly advanced control equipment and three licenses to use specific software to analyse the stereoscopic footages of all bluefin tuna transfers.”
The Government added that the European Commission also confirmed how the local authorities inspect all caging operations and monitor each caging operation by stereoscopic camera under water to verify the number and weight of fish being caged in Maltese facilities.
“When excess quantities are identified releases are undertaken, monitored by the stereoscopic camera and in the presence of an ICCAT regional observer.”
Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes welcomed this news with satisfaction. “This is the first time that Malta has achieved such compliance, as a result of serious endeavours. This certification from the European Commission is beneficial and confirms Malta as a serious operator in this sector which yields an annual export cost of around 100 million Euro, also generating employment for Maltese citizens.”
“The Government notes that Malta has become a showcase of the successful implementation of ICCAT measures and that it is being regarded with high esteem in international fora. This is the result of tremendous hard work and of an administration that is basing its positions on the most precautionary interpretation of the best available scientific advice,” he said.
“During this year’s tuna quota discussions at EU level a Presidency compromise supported by Malta also attained the support of countries renowned for their high conservation standards such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.”
The Government said that a final decision on quota will now be taken at the ICCAT annual meeting which will be held in Genoa between the 10th and 17th of November 2014.