Fishermen’s cooperative says Resources Minister was ‘hostile’ during meeting

The two main fishing cooperatives in Malta have accused Resources Minister George Pullicino of being "hostile" and "resorted to personal attacks" during a meaning held between representatives of the cooperatives and the Minister.

The meeting was aimed at discussing the Fisheries Management Plan.

In comments to MaltaToday, the secretary of the National Fishing Cooperative, Raymond Bugeja, said the co-operatives did not agree with some of the proposals in the plan. "Following the meetings we had, the Minister was supposed to amend certain points. He however ignored our proposals and sent the report to the EU without consulting us," Bugeja said.

He added the European Union "criticised" Pullicino for the "poor report" he sent.

In a reaction to a letter sent by the cooperatives to the fishermen, Minister Pullicino denied having been hostile, attacked any of the representatives or ignored their proposals. He said, during the talks held on December 12, both sides agreed the cooperatives would hand in proposals "for the attention and consideration of government."

Pullicino added he has not yet received the proposals.

In a press statement, the National Fishing Cooperative said Pullicino was trying to "belie" the fishermen's representatives: "When he saw that we were right the Minister panicked and sent out a letter - instead of dialoguing - in which he didn't say how he was going to honour the commitments and correct the plan."

The coooperatives said the Minister was cut off from reality, "or wants to go on deceiving the fishermen".

They added Pullicino tried to accuse them of "inaccuracies" and added they are to meet with the fishermen to explain to them "the hidden agendas".

The co-operatives will hold a walk in Valletta next Wednesday, December 21.