€8 million in financial assistance for Maltese and Gozitan fishers

During a press conference the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, announced several initiatives and financial aids for the fisheries sector, including support specifically for young fishers.

Bugeja Said explained that one of the schemes will assist fishers owning traditional wooden vessels, such as luzzu and kajjik. Another scheme will focus on financial assistance for the purchase of more sustainable and environmentally friendly machinery.

“The measures announced in this year’s Budget are a testament to our commitment to Maltese and Gozitan fishers. We will continue offering various forms of assistance, as we have in previous years, and we will introduce new measures to reach more individuals in this sector,” stated the parliamentary secretary.

She emphasised that the government’s financial support is strengthening and expanding this sector. She announced an allocation of approximately €8 million for the fisheries sector in the coming year, which will be invested through schemes, financial aid, and research initiatives.

Bugeja Said also outlined efforts to attract more young people to the sector. “In the coming days, we will launch consultations with various stakeholders to identify financial support initiatives that target youth. Similar to the Young Farmers model, where we help young farmers secure capital to purchase land, we will adopt the same approach for young individuals interested in entering the fisheries sector but lacking sufficient capital,” concluded Bugeja Said.

Dennis Calleja, Director of the Aquaculture Directorate within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, elaborated on the various schemes launched. He noted that in the coming days, Maltese and Gozitan fishers will receive letters with all the necessary information to benefit from the allocated funds.