Research scheme with fishermen extended for another year

A collaborative research scheme between the government and the fishing community has been extended for another year, as the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, and the Chief Executive of Aquatic Resources Malta, Dr Frank Fabri, formally relaunched the initiative.

The scheme, titled “Conducting research together with fishermen”, aims to strengthen scientific data collection in Malta’s fisheries sector and to ensure compliance with national and European Union obligations. Over the past two years, the programme has contributed significantly to the collection of fisheries data through direct collaboration with fishermen operating registered vessels.

Bugeja Said said the scheme enables the government to gather essential information on marine resources with the active participation of fishermen. She said the data collected supports evidence-based policymaking and helps ensure that decisions taken in the sector reflect the realities of Malta’s seas and fishing communities.

Fabri explained that the scheme also forms part of the agency’s long-term strategic vision extending to 2050. Under the programme, data is gathered during fishing trips carried out by registered vessels, contributing to the agency’s mandatory research obligations. Fishermen participating in the scheme will receive €320 per fishing trip. The initiative forms part of the EU co-financed DC-MAP II programme.

Marija Pia Gatt, who heads the fisheries research unit, said around 60 fishermen have already registered interest in taking part in one or more of the 44 different research trips planned for this year across nine fishing segments.

 

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