Greenpeace has alleged that a Libyan fishing vessel, Al Dafina, entered Grand Harbour last week with an illegal cargo of 96 tons of red tuna when fishing for tuna should have stopped after 30 June.

Greenpeace has asked the European authorities to intervene, to hold the ship and to confiscate the tuna if this is found on board.

It seems that one third of the whole catch was transboarded from another Libyan fishing vessel, the Lebda, in the port of Tripoli although this port is not one of the ports authorised by ICCAT, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, for such operations.

The Al Dafina entered Grand Harbour last Tuesday at noon and discharged its cargo at Magazine Wharf.

“Who has caught these tuna and where? Inspectors must be sent to Malta to analyse this cargo in detail. The EU must show it is able to make the law respected and to act against illegal fishing of a species which is nearing extinction,” said Stéphan Beaucher, the head of Greenpeace France’s Oceans campaign.

Besides, he added, the way the fishing of tuna was carried out should have stopped on 1 June and will not be allowed before 31 December.

He added: “The authorities must do all they can to clarify the situation of these fishing vessels as well as those of other illegal Libyan vessels that have been allowed to enter Grand Harbour over the past months. European ports must fulfil their duties with regard to illegal fishing.”