Malta's compliance with EU and ICCAT regulations to ensure a sustainable fishing effort for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean

Abstract

The study of the various European and ICCAT legal components on the subject of sustainability are a starting point for this analysis. This descriptive approach will lead to determining the areas which require compliance, directly and indirectly contributing towards BFT sustainability. The analytical approach, concerning the degree of compliance in both the Mediterranean as well as in Malta, examines the degree to which compliance is ensured, and whether this is ultimately proving effective in improving sustainability. The countries bordering the Mediterranean, and those which are involved in the fishing of this species, are mostly compliant in the area of BFT sustainability, and ICCAT, specifically, is now moving forward and publishing new Regulations building on its success. The recent political turmoil in practically all North African countries has led to sporadic and occasional cases of non-compliance, however these are considered as exception and not the rule. The far-reaching legal structure of ICCAT has led to significant monitoring of the BFT fishing efforts of these countries as well. Prima facie, it appeared that Malta was compliant in both European and ICCAT legislation, and the country was successful in its domestic efforts to improve and contribute to the overall degree of sustainability. On conducting further detailed research, this transpired to be, in fact, true, and this statement was also expressed during the interviews conducted with various stakeholders within the fisheries sector. A word of caution, however, must be emphasised - although the EU and ICCAT must be commended for their successful efforts, the process of regaining BFT sustainability is a slow one. The harm done to the species throughout the years cannot be expected to improve in a few years, and thus, slow steady progress must be ensured. Prominent non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace and Oceana have acknowledged that significant progress in BFT sustainability has been achieved. However, these organisations come down heavily on the recent increase in Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for individual countries conceded by ICCAT. Through the insight obtained following the research carried out, a number of recommendations for both the Mediterranean as a whole, as well as for Malta, on a domestic level, were put forward. These recommendations strive towards further improving the success already registered in the sustainability of BFT.