The Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry yesterday said that data on catches of bluefin tuna has been communicated regularly on a monthly basis. However, as with all other member states involved in bluefin tuna fisheries, Malta was not able to communicate the complete set of data. In Malta’s case, out of 30 reporting obligations, Malta did not transmit information on one minor item concerning reports of catches at intervals of five days.

The Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry was referring to the press statement issued by the European Commission on 26 September 2007 entitled “Commission opens infringement procedures against seven Member States” as well as to media reports quoting it.

The ministry is, therefore, disappointed that, Malta has been grouped together with those member states who have clearly over-fished their quotas. Malta closed its tuna fishing season on 30 June and, until the closure of the fishing season by the Commission on 19 September, Malta had not yet exhausted its full quota of 355.59 tonnes.

Malta’s minor shortcoming also has to be seen in the light of the Commission’s admission that the extensive amount of reports that were meant to be communicated to it within very tight deadlines could have possibly confused member states. In fact, the Commission is organising a meeting next October to iron out the issue of reporting obligations.

Malta will explain these facts in more detail in a formal reply to the European Commission, the ministry said.