Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is a highly migratory species fish. Three different methods of bluefin tuna culture are being used at different levels of development today in the world. Fattening of adult tunas remains today the most common farming method at the commercial scale. In this method, adult tunas are caught and then fattened for several months.
Japanese attempts at rearing larval bluefin tuna have not yet produced economically viable results. Mediterranean aquaculture depends on juveniles or sub adults captured in the spring fishery, which are transported in nets supported by rafts to large cages where they will be kept for a few months. The towage of large cages, which must be at speed of between 1 and 2 knots and may take several weeks.
The fish are harvested at the end of autumn and beginning of winter, before periods of low temperature and bad weather. In general, the tuna double their weight after 6/7 months of on growing and their flesh acquires the colour and quality which puts them in demand for the Japanese sashimi market.
May is here and fishing vessels towing tuna cages started to leave Maltese Territorial Waters including Italian trawlers –
ALESSANDRO is the former stern trawler SALVATORE C which was seen in season 2017 towing also a tuna cage and below images are to 18th May 2017 while entering Valletta.
The 1968 built Maltese owned tugboat LANGUEDOC 7 left Valletta at 0658 hrs stopping at AJD Tuna Farm and completing her voyage towing tuna cage/s
The 2003 built stern trawler NAUCRATES which left Mareblu Tuna Farm at 1032 hrs –
Seen here entering Grand Harbour back to 24th June 2015. She was also seen in season 2017.
The 2005 built stern trawler REGINA, left Mareblu Tuna Farm after coming from Mazara Del Vallo on Monday 18th May, 2020 –
Above images of REGINA berthed at Fuel Wharf back to 23rd May, 2019
The 2004 built stern trawler MARPESCA DUE left AJD Tuna Farm after receiving bunkers at Bunkering Area 3 by SPIRO F after coming from Mazara Del Vallo –
MARPESCA DUE leaving Grand Harbour back to 22nd May 2019. She was also seen during season 2015.
The 1973 built stern trawler ANDROMEDA left AJD Tuna Farm after receiving bunkers at Bunkering Area 3 by SPIRO F after coming from Mazara Del Vallo –
ANDROMEDA leaving Grand Harbour back to 22nd May 2019.
The 2004 built stern trawler GLADIUS left Mareblu Tuna Farm after coming from Mazara Del Vallo on Monday 18th May, 2020 –
GLADIUS leaving Grand Harbour back to 18th May 2017. She was also seen during season 2018.
The 2009 built Maltese stern trawler MFA 6019 PADRE PIO II left Marsaxlokk Fishport towing a cage/s –
MFA 6019 PADRE PIO II entering Grand Harbour back to 16th December 2019.
The 2006 built stern trawler GRECALE left Marsaxlokk Fishport towing a cage/s –
GRECALE entering Grand Harbour back to 27th May 2009.
The 1968 built stern trawler GIULIA P.G. left Marsaxlokk Fishport after coming from Mazara Del Vallo –
The 1947 built Maltese flag and owned tugboat CMS SEACAT left Mareblu towing cage/s –
CMS SEACAT entering Grand Harbour back to 2nd December 2019.
The 1974 built Maltese flag and owned tugboat CMS SEALION left Mareblu towing cage/s –
CMS SEALION entering Grand Harbour back to 2nd December 2019.
The 2007 built Maltese longliner MFA 7014 NILE left Marsaxlokk Fishport towing cage/s –
NILE leaving Grand Harbour back to 28th December 2019.
The 2007 built Maltese longliner MFA 7015 GIUSEPPE PAOLO left Marsaxlokk Fishport towing cage/s –
GIUSEPPE PAOLO leaving Grand Harbour back to 28th December 2019.
The 24 metres Maltese stern trawler HOPE left AJD Tuna Ranch towing cage/s –
HOPE entering Grand Harbour back to 2nd December 2019.
And the 1998 built Maltese stern trawler MFA 7299 ORKA III left Marsaxlokk Fishport after shifting from her berth at Grand Harbour towing cage/s –
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Saturday 23rd May, 2020