Marsaxlokk Welcomes Lampuki Season with Traditional Blessing of Fishing Boats

Marsaxlokk came alive on Sunday morning as fishermen gathered for the traditional blessing of their boats and vessels ahead of the start of Malta’s much-loved lampuki season.

The ceremony, led by Canon Fr Roderick Baldacchino, included Mass and the blessing of the fishing boats, continuing a tradition deeply rooted in the local fishing community. The occasion brought together fishermen, their families and members of the Marsaxlokk community as they prepared for another important season at sea.

Among those attending were Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply Anton Refalo, as well as representatives from the fishing sector and members of the local community.

The lampuki season officially begins on 15 August and runs until the end of the year, marking the return of one of Malta’s most distinctive traditional fishing practices.

In recent weeks, fishermen have been busy preparing their kannizzati, using palm leaves to create floating structures that provide shade and attract lampuki close to the surface of the sea. The traditional technique, developed by Maltese and Gozitan fishermen, remains an important part of the islands’ fishing heritage.

With the boats prepared and the traditional blessing complete, fishermen are now ready to head out to sea as the season gets underway.

For many Maltese and Gozitan families, the arrival of lampuki season is more than simply the start of another fishing period. It is a familiar sign of summer and a tradition closely connected to Malta’s food, culture and maritime identity.

Photo Credit: DOI Kian Bugeja

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