Fisherman

Fishing is fundamental to Maltese identity; through skills and techniques passed down throughout the generations, many people have made a profession on the open sea. While today a fisherman might have a sturdy fishing rod with numerous tackle pieces and reels, the fishers of Malta once used only a thin line, a hook and a piece of cork. While methods and practices have evolved, fishing is still an integral part of Maltese life. Dolphins can still be seen in the waters between Gozo and Comino; the Valletta Port is a booming area of commerce and globalization, with numerous foreign visitors taking a stop in Malta to view the culture of this island. The waters that surround the Maltese islands are full of brightly colored boats with luminous colors of red, green, blue, yellow and white. These Maltese styled luzzu (as they are locally called), are a profound symbol of the country’s work ethics, the mentality of its people and the deep history that surrounds Maltese culture. Geographically and historically, Malta is a port for trade and transportation— an ideal stopping ground for military powers during war time and the nucleus of the Mediterranean. Fishing has brought not only food and work to the country, but it has shaped the very culture of Malta. Cooked in numerous ways, fish is a staple Maltese cuisine, especially fish soup and fish pies. Fisherman like Pietru, who carries out his days in Marsaxlokk, are not as seldom as one might think: these preservers of culture use the skills taught to them from their predecessors along with a strong work ethic to bring their fresh catches to businesses across the island and abroad. Thanks to these hard-working individuals, fish served in Malta is almost always fresh, having been caught from the sea only that morning. These fishermen also are fundamental to not just the cultural identity of Malta, but its entrepreneurial identity. They have shown that maintaining a country’s traditions is not bound to fail but encouraged to prevail. While social ideas, innovations and expansions are constant in the world, certain traditions are honored as essential to a countries identity regardless of its global reach.