
The tuna fishing season has officially begun, as the first catch of the year — a tuna weighing around 180 kilograms — was brought into St Paul’s Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
This marks an important moment for Malta’s fishing community and signals the start of what is expected to be another busy season at sea.
To support local fishermen during this period, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has introduced a free 24-hour offloading service at the Marsaxlokk quay.
This service uses a modern crawling crane, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), aimed at easing the workload and improving efficiency. The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Malta’s fishing industry and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, praised the dedication of Malta’s fishermen, noting that the tuna’s arrival represents not just a seasonal milestone, but a testament to the hard work and resilience of those who spend long hours at sea.
#MaltaDaily