The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is investing half a million euros to provide 80 port pillars of water and electricity for registered fishermen.
This news was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Agriculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said.
“Such investments have a direct impact on the fishing industry. Besides improving port infrastructure, fishermen will be given assistance to logistically enable them to carry out their work in a more competitive and sustainable manner,” Bugeja Said stated.
She further claimed that “by simplifying the work, then we are offering a better quality of life to our fishermen.”
After consulting multiple fishermen from different localities they understood the need for these services. Therefore, by the end of the year, there will be 80 port pillars that will be accessible to offer water and electrical services for any registered fishermen.
To access these services, the fishermen will be given an electric chip which will be provided to the Department.
The water and electrical pillars will be installed at these ports: Marsaxlokk, Marsaskala, Birzebbuga, Zurrieq, Ghadira, St. Pauls Bay, St Julian’s, Msida, Marsamxett and Marsa.
These services will aid fishermen before they go fishing, whilst unloading their fish, and also for maintenance.
Moreover, they claimed that the water supply ensures higher levels of sanitation during the operation and for the product itself.