The government has launched a scheme to help fishermen cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Anton Refalo said.

He said that this is the second consecutive year in which the government and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department will help the fishing sector through national funds.

Through this scheme, fishermen who had their vessels registered in 2020 as MFA or MFB with the Fisheries and Agriculture Department, will benefit from a maximum of €5,000 in cash back as compensation for part of the losses the pandemic has brought.

Around 660 fishermen are expected to be eligible. This scheme is being implemented to help lift part of the weight caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Anton Refalo said that the government felt it needed to intervene by offering support to all fishermen. “Through the allocation of €800,000 from the national funds, this compensation scheme was designed to provide support to fishermen.”

All those eligible will receive a copy of the application form by post in the coming days. One can also download the form from the website of the Agriculture and Fisheries ministry.

Applications must be sent by post to the Projects Unit within the Agriculture and Fisheries Department by 26 November.