The government has launched a financial aid scheme with an allocation of €700,000 to support full-time fishermen affected by the rise in fuel prices linked to the crisis in the Middle East, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supplies said in a statement.

The scheme, which will be administered by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, aims to offset some of the additional fuel costs incurred by fishermen, while helping to maintain the viability of the fishing sector and safeguard the continuity of food supplies, as rising fuel prices are impacting the fishing sector across various European countries.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supplies Anton Refalo said that this aid is a targeted intervention designed to ensure the government remains close to fishermen during a period when international fuel price hikes are placing pressure on their operations.

"Our fishermen should not have to bear the burden of international circumstances beyond their control alone. Through an allocation of €700,000, we are providing concrete assistance to offset part of the rise in fuel costs and help the sector continue its operations," Refalo said.

This scheme builds upon a series of initiatives through which the government has supported the fishing sector in the face of extraordinary cost increases.

Schemes funded by national resources were previously launched in 2022 and 2023 to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while last year, the government further supported fishermen through a scheme addressing the rise in bait prices.

The aid will be based on actual fuel consumption and will cover 70% of the eligible additional cost, calculated based on the difference between the average price for the respective month and the baseline price of €0.5961 per litre (set in February 2026). Payments are made following verification of fuel receipts.

The scheme applies to eligible operators registered as full-time professional fishermen (MFA) who qualify as SMEs and purchase duty-free fuel for fishing operations.

The first application period opened on 28 September 2026 and remains open until 9 October 2026, covering claims for the period from 1 March to 31 August 2026. Applications are accepted at the Extension Services offices of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Marsaxlokk, St Paul's Bay, and Mġarr (Gozo).

The scheme was approved by the European Commission under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework.