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Karl Schembri
Libya is about to increase its fishing fleet to operate in the so-called new ‘conservation zone’ that excludes Maltese fishermen on environmental pretexts, sources told MaltaToday.
The plans, if enforced, would cast serious doubts about Libya’s motives in declaring an exclusive 62-mile ‘preservation zone’ last month, compromising the livelihood of Maltese fishermen.
Even though the Libyans have so far declined from stating the exact coordinates of their newly declared zone, with Maltese fishermen venturing into troubled waters at their own risk, European fishing industry giants are already showing interest in acquiring exclusive rights to enter the new Libyan waters against hefty payment.
The President of the Association of the Fishing Cooperatives, Paul Piscopo, told MaltaToday he had “good information” that other countries were informed at least a year before Malta of the Libyans’ decision to set up a conservation zone.
“We all know that this has nothing to do with conservation of the fishing stocks, in fact Libya is increasing its fishing fleet,” Piscopo said. “If it was not for some European businessmen they would have left everything as before. A good example of a conservation zone is the Maltese Shelf, where Malta decreased fishing in its 25 mile zone.”
A spokesman for Minister George Pullicino, who is responsible for fisheries, said Maltese fishermen are being advised to tread carefully into the high seas until the dispute with Libya is clarified.
The Maltese government is expecting a delegation of technical experts from Libya to discuss the problem although no dates have yet been set.
“Our fishermen are already paying a price for the conservation zone,” Piscopo said. “The situation is not very promising and talks on several issues should be held very soon before the situation deteriorates. We are going to have a hard time earning our living.”
Calls made by this newspaper to the Libyan Ambassador to Malta since the controversial announcement to increase Libya’s fishing zone were never returned.
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