Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, announced that Malta will participate in the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean's (GFCM) MedFish4Ever congress, taking place between 3 and 4 October this year.

The congress, organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), will discuss the successes and challenges faced by fishermen and operators in the aquaculture sector. It will cover various topics, including climate change, the management of aquatic species in the Mediterranean Sea, environmental protection, food security, and the role of the fishing sector.

Bugeja Said said that the upcoming congress will build upon the MedFish4Ever Declaration, which Malta signed in 2017. She explained that after months of negotiations with the European Commission, an agreement was reached to extend the declaration for another five years.

“The aim of the declaration is to protect the ecological, economic, and environmental health of the Mediterranean Sea”, she said in a statement.

The parliamentary secretary said that the congress will help ensure that regional fishing and aquaculture communities become more sustainable and resilient. It will also work towards achieving a balance between the needs of fishermen, food security for the European community, and the sustainability of marine resources for present and future generations.

"I am optimistic that together we will continue paving the way for a future that prioritizes the well-being of our fishermen and all European communities," she said.