Fishermen were promised a boatyard to store vessels in winter season; instead they get more expenses and fines instead, the Nationalist Party said.

Time has come to eliminate deceit in politics full of empty promises like promising a ‘boatyard’ in Marsaxlokk for fishermen’s vessels, with none to be seen 5 years later, PN main speaker Peter Agius said.

Agius insisted that fresh Maltese local fish is an important source of nutrient apart from being an attraction for foreigners visiting the Islands, which is why politics should support fishermen as much as possible.  This support is completely absent from the government, and fishermen are being disregarded since they still have no place to keep their vessels on land, whilst repairs to them are taking place.

Fishermen are in despair since this year like the one before, many of them were unable to move their boats on land because of lack of space, which in turn is resulting in safety and security hazards for themselves. 

PN candidate Errol Cutajar explained that fishermen could use the ‘hard standing facility’ in Marsaxlokk to lift the vessels out of the water, nonetheless, fishermen are being asked to pay for reports costing hundreds of euros before making use of it.  Fishermen are finding themselves in dire straits, with some of them having to choose to use facilities in Sicily rather than in Malta.

The speakers emphasised the importance that European funds are spent for projects developed in constant consultation with fishermen themselves to avoid unsatisfactory results.  An example of this would be the breakwater developed with the aim to protect fishermen’s boats, but which fishermen themselves consider to be very unsatisfactory because of lack of proper planning.

Agius said the Nationalist Party is offering solutions in close collaboration with fishermen, where amongst others, the latter will be given the necessary aid to access European funds, a feat which most of the time they considered far-fetched and too complex.  A new PN government will shed light on the importance of Maltese local produce which apart from offering important health benefits, also showcases the Islands’ identity and tradition, a fundamental expression of who we are.