Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547581
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS Casa wins backing for stronger European Social Fund THE European Parliament's Employ- ment and Social Affairs Committee today backed proposals led by PN Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa and co-rap- porteur Marit Maij to strengthen the European Social Fund. The vote marks a major step to- wards protecting Europe's invest- ment in jobs, skills and social support in the next EU budget. "This fund is about people. It helps workers gain new skills, young peo- ple find opportunities and families access support when they need it most. Today's vote gives us a strong basis to defend that investment in the negotiations ahead," Casa said. Casa has worked to keep the fund focused on its core social purpose, with dependable funding and clear priorities. He has pushed for a strong, distinct European Social Fund that continues to support employment and tackle poverty and social exclu- sion. "Investment in people must remain a European priority. The organisa- tions delivering training, employ- ment services and support in our communities need certainty. The people relying on those services de- serve it." Casa also welcomed the exclusion of "My Voice, My Choice" from the text adopted by the committee. "We kept 'My Voice, My Choice' out of this text. Our focus remains on strengthening the Social Fund and delivering on its core objectives: workers, young people, families, chil- dren." The proposals build on consulta- tions with social partners, civil so- ciety and organisations delivering EU-funded programmes, including stakeholders in Malta and Gozo. Casa, who also served as rapporteur on the current European Social Fund Plus regulation, said he would con- tinue working to protect these priori- ties as negotiations progress. "Today we have taken an important step forward. I will keep working for a fund that creates opportunities and supports those who need it most." THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION PN Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa and co-rapporteur Marit Maij threatens Malta's tuna industry ities further offshore even if the process of declaring the extent of the EEZ has not been finalised. The government is as- sessing potential locations for open sea fish farms and their environmental viabili- ty. Semi-submersible cages, stronger mooring systems and monitoring sensors are expected to facilitate farming in more exposed waters. The strategy also propos- es reviewing the South-East Aquaculture Zone's current 9,000-tonne permitted capac- ity to assess whether it can accommodate further pro- duction. Diversifying beyond tuna A central objective is to in- crease production of species bred entirely in captivity, including seabass and sea- bream. Research is also ex- amining the commercial po- tential of greater amberjack and red porgy. Seaweed and shellfish farm- ing are identified as low- er-impact alternatives be- cause they do not require artificial feed. The plan also promotes integrated mul- ti-trophic aquaculture, com- bining fish farming with sea- weed and shellfish to absorb excess nutrients. The strategy acknowledges persistent environmental dis- putes over oily residue, com- monly known as fish slime, generated by feeding tuna with wild baitfish. Although farms were re- located further offshore in 2017, coastal slicks and dead tuna washing ashore continue to fuel public opposition. A survey cited in the doc- ument found that 25% of Maltese respondents viewed aquaculture negatively, while half expressed extreme concern about its environ- mental impact. Around 65% preferred wild-caught fish, compared with an EU average of 36%. New infrastructure and offshore projects The plan proposes Malta's first private-sector-led hatch- ery for closed-cycle species, a centralised cold-storage fa- cility and a dedicated pathol- ogy laboratory. It also proposes a Nation- al Aquaculture Council to streamline administration, with permit procedures cur- rently taking between three and five years. The offshore ambitions come as a major fish farm proposed by Seaculture Ltd is undergoing environmental scrutiny. Located around 22km off Malta's south-eastern coast, the project envisages four submerged cages produc- ing between 5,000 and 8,000 tonnes of fish annually. The company is partly owned by Israel-based Dagat Hayam Holdings alongside two Maltese companies. In September 2025, the Environment and Resourc- es Authority ruled that the development required a full Environmental Impact As- sessment and an Appropriate Assessment, citing its loca- tion within a marine Special Protection Area and potential impacts on protected seabirds and the marine environment. A central objective is to increase production of species bred entirely in captivity, including seabass and seabream. Research is also examining the commercial potential of greater amberjack and red porg y