PN accuses government of ‘betraying’ local fishermen

The Nationalist Party has accused the government of “betraying fishermen” by not appealing a court ruling that acquitted two foreign fishermen charged with illegal fishing in Maltese territorial waters.

Addressing a press conference in Marsaxklokk, Opposition MP Toni Bezzina said that the government has completely done away with safeguards to local fishermen that a previous Nationalist administration had negotiated with the EU.

Back in 2008, a French-flagged fishing vessel captained by Fontanet Silvere was caught fishing in Maltese territorial waters in breach of the Fisheries Conservation Act that prohibits foreign vessels from fishing in Maltese waters “unless authorised by a license granted under this Act”.

However, the fisherman’s defence lawyers Joe Giglio and Pio Valletta cited EU law as stating that seine vessels do not require a license. Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona ruled that, since the fishermen were in possession of a France-issued “special fishing permit”, they were not prohibited from fishing in Maltese waters.  

PN election candidate Aaron Micallef also addressed the press conference, where he accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of breaking his pre-electoral promises to fishermen.

“The Nationalist Party will give Maltese fishermen a voice, so as to reintroduce safeguards to our waters,” he said.