The tuna fishing season has begun, with the first tuna catch having been brought into St Paul's Bay on Wednesday, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights stated.

The secretariat said that the first tuna catch of the year weighed an average of 180 kilograms and officially marked the start of the tuna season.

It said that during the season, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is offering a free 24-hour offloading service from the Marsaxlokk quay to facilitate the work of fishermen when they return with their catch. It added that this service is being provided through a modern crawling crane, and is financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries fund, which it commented is another initiative promoting modernisation and sustainability in the fisheries sector.

Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said said that the arrival of the first tuna catch represents an important moment for Malta's dedicated fishing community, as she continued that through tangible investments such as the free offloading service and the modern equipment funded by European funds, the government is ensuring that Malta's fishermen are equipped with everything needed to work more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

Bugeja Said concluded that Malta's fishermen are an essential part of the country's maritime wealth and are deserving of the people's appreciation. She added that this is why the government remains committed to strengthening maritime infrastructure and supporting the fisheries sector.