Scientific observers work with fishers shaping future of Malta's marine ecosystem

It’s early morning in Malta, the small EU Member state nestled in the Mediterranean Sea. Onboard a traditional fishing boat are three special guests: Kelly, Luca, and Frank, all working for Aquatic Resources Malta, or ARM.

This research unit of the Maltese Public Department of fisheries and Aquaculture has a crucial mission - to provide policymakers with accurate data on the health of the ocean.

"I work with a fantastic team of biologists and field observers, and together we undertake all of the data collection pertaining to the EU obligations," says one of them, Luca.

"Today, we're on an onboard observation, which is one of our routine observation efforts where we get the opportunity to go out onboard with fishermen and take measurements of what they catch, both fish that they intend to land and bycatch and discards" explains Luca.

His colleague Kelly at this point comes in. This is the best part of the job for her.

"Because you basically get to see and work with the fishers themselves, and you get to see the full fishing industry," says Kelly.

The fishing regulations governing Europe's waters might be crafted in distant offices, but the knowledge the teams rely on, starts out at sea, with scientific observers.

These men and women are the backbone of the EU Fisheries Data Collection.

As the crew hauls in their catches, the scientists observe, analyse, and record basic biological data.

This data, compiled at the EU level under a multiannual fisheries data collection, will not just guide the work of policymakers on fish stocks and resources.

It will also serve as a basis to reinforce the socioeconomic pillar of the fishing sector, according to Alicia Bugeja, Malta's junior minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"I really believe