Stefania Craxi, Italy’s undersecretary for foreign affairs, said yesterday that she has been given “assurance” by Minister Tonio Borg that a “solution” to the Sicilian fishermen saga in Malta will be found in the coming days.
Speaking to the fishermen who have been stranded in Malta since January 25 after being intercepted by an AFM patrol boat while fishing within Malta’s exclusive fishing zone, Stefania Craxi said that the Italian government will closely follow all developments connected to their fate.
Skipper Franco Giacalone and his five crew members on board the ‘Mamma Maria’ have asked President George Abela for a pardon, as they cannot afford the €35,000 fine imposed on them by the courts.
In a letter sent by his lawyers to the Presidency, Giacalone excused himself for the mishap, adding that the incident was a mistake since he never knew that Malta had adopted an exclusive fishing zone that extended up to 25 miles from its coast.
Giacalone, who has praised the Maltese for the solidarity shown towards them since they have been ordered not to leave until they pay the fine, said that he and his crew face certain ruin if the Maltese authorities do not understand the genuine humanitarian plea.
The fishermen earn a mere €1,000 per month for weeks at sea, but diesel prices have destroyed the livelihoods of the fishing communities that must also face dwindling prospects of obtaining good prices for their catch.
The courts had also ordered the confiscation of €15,000 worth of fish that were on board the ‘Mamma Maria’.
Meanwhile, the Italian embassy in Malta is closely following the issue with the Maltese authorities.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
