EU Oceans and Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis vowed to strengthen enforcement against illegal lampuki fishing, according to Euractiv.
Kadis responded to mounting concerns from Maltese politicians and citizens over unregulated catches of the prized fish. Lampuki, a staple in Maltese cuisine, has seen its population decline due to overfishing and environmental changes, leading to a sharp increase in prices and threatening the livelihoods of local fishers.
Lampuki fishing is prohibited in Malta from January 1 to August 14 each year to allow the fish to reproduce and replenish their numbers. However, reports have emerged of lampuki being caught and sold outside the designated season, both locally and in other EU member states.
The illegal activity has contributed to a significant price surge, with lampuki prices rising from €5 per kilogram five years ago to €15 in 2024, according to the Times of Malta. Maltese MEP Peter Agius (EPP) raised concerns about illegal fishing by Sicilian and Tunisian fishers, prompting Kadis to acknowledge the issue.
Another Maltese MEP Thomas Bajada (S&D), the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on fish stock conservation, also pointed to broader challenges affecting lampuki populations, including growing competition from Tunisia, Spain, and Italy, as well as the impacts of climate change. Rising sea temperatures have caused lampuki to mature earlier and alter their migration patterns, disrupting traditional fishing seasons and methods.
The decline in lampuki populations has had a disproportionate impact on small-scale and artisanal fishers in Malta, particularly those using the traditional kanizzata fishing method. These fishers play a vital role in providing affordable, locally sourced seafood to Maltese communities.
Bajada warned that a long-term decline in lampuki stocks would have severe socio-economic consequences, threatening the livelihoods of these fishers and the cultural significance of lampuki in Maltese gastronomy.
