A Maltese trawler and 12 Maltese nationals have been denied permission to leave the port of Pozzallo in Sicily, in what appears to be a retaliation move by the Italian authorities over the arrest of Sicilian fisherman Rosolino Paternostro, for allegedly fishing illegally in Maltese waters.
The Gozo registered luzzu Betania, steered by Peppi Xuereb, was denied permission to leave Pozzallo by the Guardia di Finanza after an onboard inspection.
Sources said every Maltese boat visiting Sicilian ports are being subjected to thorough searches by police and when found to be irregular, the boat is denied permission to leave. They said the Betania was prohibited from leaving because it did not have its safety gear in order.
National Fishing Cooperative secretary Ray Bugeja told MaltaToday a local exporter who arrived in Sicily yesterday morning with a truckload of fish was told not to return, as they were not interested in buying anymore from Malta after Paternostro’s arrest.
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