During a regional conference in Athens, Greece, on the protection of the marine environment in the Mediterranean, the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, highlighted Malta's commitment to safeguarding and promoting marine biodiversity while supporting the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

In her speech, Bugeja Said emphasized the crucial role the sea plays in the identity and livelihood of Malta's coastal communities. She stated that despite the country's small size, Malta still plays a significant role in the protection of marine ecosystems and in the sustainability of Mediterranean fisheries.

To date, Malta has declared 35.5% of its Fisheries Management Zone as protected areas, and in 2023, updated conservation measures were adopted. These include reducing marine litter, protecting vulnerable habitats, as well as improving surveillance and involving all sectors.

The Parliamentary Secretary stressed the need for sustainability to be both socially just and economically viable, noting that Malta places particular focus on its small-scale, traditional fishing fleet, a community of fishers who have worked for generations using sustainable methods. She insisted that a one-size-fits-all policy cannot be applied equally across all Mediterranean states and called for fair rules for all to safeguard competition and food supply.

She noted that Malta is also investing in innovation, including research into fishing gear that reduces ecological impact, as well as projects like NETTAG+, which includes technology for locating and recovering lost gear, one of the main causes of marine litter. The country will invest €6 million in a data collection plan to better understand the fishing practices of the Maltese fleet.

In the context of climate action and the transition to clean energy, the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned that Malta is exploring alternative fuel solutions for small vessels, as well as investing in green ports and wastewater treatment.

Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said also spoke about Malta's work at regional level through platforms such as the Barcelona Convention, the BlueMed Initiative, and organizations like the Union for the Mediterranean, as well as local initiatives involving citizens, such as Spot the Jellyfish and Eco-Schools.

"What harms one coast will eventually affect another. That is why Malta believes in fair and strong cooperation and calls on all Mediterranean countries to move forward together on the path of sustainability, for the good of the environment, our communities, and future generations," concluded Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.