Replies sent by the Parliamentary Secretariat for fishing on the case of a Sicilian fishing boat which was held in Malta for a number of days this week have raised even more questions.

According to reports in the Italian media the ‘Matte Mazzarino,’ from Mazara del Vallo, entered the Grand Harbour on Sunday and was held for a number of days before it and its crew were released without charge and without explanation.

It was claimed that the vessel had come into port to refuel but ended up being detained for unknown reasons. Eventually, an Italian fisheries official was reached and a number of Italian politicians were roped in, including Italian Ambassador to Malta Giovanni Umberto De Vito.

The reports stated that the Ambassador spoke to Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes, who is responsible for fisheries.

But a spokesperson for Mr Galdes denied that the Parliamentary Secretary had been involved.

The spokesperson said the vessel had been held in Malta between 28 November and 1 December for “failing to fulfil its obligations to record and report catch or catch related data.”

Mr Galdes had “no role” in the matter, she added.

It is unclear why the Italian media outlets mentioned Mr Galdes by name when, according to his spokesperson, he was not involved at all. It is all the more unclear why the Sicilian fishermen were released uncharged when they had allegedly broken the law. Fishermen who fail to report their catch usually end up in the dock, instead of on the dock, and are fined by the courts.