Tuna farm. (Photo: MFF)

Polluting tuna farms forced to urgently tackle illegalities

MALTA
Friday, September 02, 2016, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

The Planning Authority has issued an emergency enforcement order against four tuna farm operators whose centres are riddled with illegalities. This measure was adopted a short while after becoming aware of the fact that the slime that had appeared on the sea surface has been caused by the aquaculture industry, which is breeding more fish than it is allowed.

In compliance with this notification, these operators have two working days to present a plan of action detailing how they can settle the illegalities and failure to abide by their own plan, the authorities will take direct action, which could include releasing the fish into the sea, Malta Today reported.

At the meeting between representatives of the Planning Authority, of Resource and Environment Authority, of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry and the operators who had allegedly engaged in illegal activities, it was made clear that the way they are operating their tuna fish farms today is "totally unacceptable and is negatively impacting the coastal bathing water, which is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike".

Among the infringements incurred by these operators, the authorities mentioned undeclared cage sizes to the breeding of undeclared species.

In the case of one of these accused operators, AJD Limited, which produces tuna at the north of the island, it has been found to hold 13 tuna cages, 90 metres each, off St Paul’s Bay without the necessary permits.

Another of the operators receiving the enforcement order, Fish & Fish Limited, is operating a tuna farm with a planning permit that was originally issued for the breeding of sea bream and sea bass. On site, the operator has 14 tuna cages, each measuring 50 metres. The approved permits are for eight tuna cages and eight sea bream/sea bass cages measuring 20 metres.

The third operator, Malta Fish Farming Ltd is permitted to produce tuna, sea bream and sea bass, but it is using 15 sea bream/sea bass cages of 20 metres and a tuna cage measuring 50 metres, which is illegal.

The Planning Authority informed that next week, a revised legal notice will be published with harsher administrative fines intended for any planning illegalities related to the sea including illegalities in the aquaculture sector.

Related article:

- Aquaculture centre slime issue solution to take time, Govt. admits

 
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