Fishing of the long fish tuna in the Mediterranean is prohibited from October 1 to November 30 every year as part of EU-backed efforts to protect the species, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Agriculture Ministry has said.
 
In a written announcement, the department informed fishermen and the wider public of the technical measures in force as result of the EU’s obligations towards the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICAAT). These aim at the implementation of recommendations 17-05 and 16-905 which relate to the management measures for the long fin tuna and the swordfish in the Mediterranean.
 
As a result of these measures fishing of the long fin tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the Mediterranean is prohibited from October 1 to November 30 each year.
 
Anyone who spots a violation of these regulations – either the fishing or the trading of the long fish tuna during the closed period is urged to contact the Department on telephone 99 834357, it said.
 
The prohibitions aim to protect and restore the stocks of large fish in the Mediterranean, it added.