Last night, Marsaxlokk’s fishing community gathered for the traditional blessing of fishing boats ahead of the lampuki season.

The celebration, led by Canon Dun George Spiteri, Administrator of the Marsaxlokk Parish, is a cherished annual tradition marking the start of one of Malta’s most important fishing periods. The blessing is intended to ensure safety and prosperity for fishermen throughout the months ahead.

The ceremony was attended by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, along with local fishermen, families, and community members.

In preparation, fishermen spent weeks crafting palm frond trellises; a traditional Maltese and Gozitan method used to attract lampuki, which gather beneath the shade of the fronds. This year, the Government distributed around 6,600 palm fronds to assist in the preparations.

A total of 77 full-time and part-time fishermen are registered for this season, which officially begins on the 15th August under European fishing regulations and runs until the end of the year. Boats are now stocked with nets, stones, palms, and lines, ready to set out to designated fishing spots.

During the ceremony, the cultural and economic importance of lampuki was highlighted, noting that the fish is eagerly awaited by families and restaurants across Malta and Gozo each August.

Do you love to eat lampuki during this season?