Speaking at the blessing ceremony in Marsaxlokk at the start of the lampuki season, the minister said lampuki fishing is part of the culture of the country.

Since the lampuki catches make up a third of the total fish landings in Malta, the government is aware of the importance of this trade. Due to this importance, lampuki fishing was one of the issues negotiated in Malta’s EU membership.

Organised and regulated lampuki fishing has been around since 1932. This fishing season lasts from the feast of Santa Marija tomorrow till the end of the year.

The minister also noted that Maltese and Gozitan fishermen account for 330 to 500 tonnes of the 1,000 tonnes of lampuki caught in the Mediterranean every year.