Investigating the socio-cultural dimension of the ‘Lampuka’ (‘Coryphaena hippurus’)

Abstract

The social and cultural significance of the Maltese fishing sector far outweighs its negligible economic contribution. This research analyses whether or not contemporary attitudes are having a negative effect on the significance of the 'lampuka' ('Coryphaena hippurus'), which is one of the most sought after fish in the Maltese Islands. This study, therefore delves into the reasons for the possible change in the traditional popularity of Malta's traditional fish in Maltese households, consequence of the various alterations that have occurred in the Mediterranean lampuka Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Fishery throughout the years. With the use of both quantitative and qualitative data gathering (triangulation) an evident shift in the preferential habits of the respondents among the different age groups was discovered. The differences between the responses from the older and younger agegroups are indicative of a loss of traditional values. This means that the contemporary changes that are occurring in the lampuka fishing industry are impacting negatively its perception in the Maltese islands. The results, that can be extended at large, contradict each other as they show that nearly the entire Maltese population still regards the lampuka as the traditional fish of the Maltese islands. However, the outcome of this research also indicates that the younger age-groups are contributing to the loss of traditional values as their preferential habits and interests are shifting towards a more westernised ideology.