The new Fisheries Hub, which is currently under construction and expected to be concluded by the end of 2025, will rehouse the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in a highly technological base in Marsa allowing for more efficient service and contribute towards Marsa’s regeneration.
The Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries announced the placement of the first stone of the new Fishing Centre in Marsa which, upon completion of the project, will allow the relocation of the Department of Fishing and Aquaculture. It said that the new building will span four storeys and will be equipped with technological equipment in order to serve the needs of the local fishing industry. The Ministry said that the investment in this project will reach €5 million and is planned to be finished by the end of 2025.
The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Anton Refalo, said that the building will allow improvement in the efficiency in the service provided by the department. “This building will have state of the art technology and modern communcation systems as well as a room which will monitor vessels using tracking systems such as VMS, GPS and Logbooks. Above all, this building was also strategically made in order to continue to improve the accessibility for fishermen and the public” Refalo said and concluded in saying that this all shows that the government is committed to continue offering the best service to Maltese fishermen.
Parliamentary Secretary for Fishing, Alicia Bugeja Said, said that the government is committed to continue investing in this sector because it wholly believes in the work and service the local fishermen provide in the community. “We are announcing one project after another because we recognize the importance of our fishermen. With a centre like this, the service given by public officials will continue to improve and be more efficient,” Bugeja Said said. Such a project will contribute to the plan of Marsa’s regeneration with an investment that clearly shows the government’s vision.
On his part, Director of the Department of Fishing and Aquaculture, Bjorn Callus, said that the Fisheries Hub in Marsa will allow the department to do its duties better with the fisherman being at the centre of its work. Callus said, “Through this investment, we will improve the quality of work and increase the efficiency and, including another investment in a digital system, we will be able to reach the goal of service excellence. The Fisheries Hub will be instrumental to provide a secure and accessible shelter for the workers as well as the clients whilst being a construction made with environmental and sustainable considerations.”