Maltese Small-Scale Fisheries: Halting the Decline

This chapter presents the contemporary Maltese small-scale fisheries, describing their current status and the challenges they face. As one of the smallest fisheries in Europe, Maltese small-scale fishermen are facing important difficulties. These follow from competition with other maritime activities and declining space for fishing. Problems arising from their minimal participation in legislative reforms cause additional frustration and socio-economic impacts. With an aging population, the Maltese small-scale fisheries are expected to decline further. In contrast large-scale fishing activities have been growing in EU waters, often promoting short-term profits over long-term viable and sustainable fisheries. Lessons learned at both national and regional levels have, however, been conducive to the formulation of the Regional Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which is expected to provide tangible solutions for this fisheries sector.