Tuna farm extension given go-ahead

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday approved a full development permit for the extension of a tuna penning site and operations at il-Hofra z-Zghira, in Delimara.

The application was for the mooring of a row of four cages adjacent to the existing four. It was approved with nine votes in favour and two against.

The new row of cages will replace a row of eight sea bream cages, which will now be relocated and changed in format to double their capacity. The proposed tuna cage extension will raise the capacity of the tuna farm to 1,200 tonnes.

The councils of both Marsaxlokk and Marsascala objected to the development.

Marsaxlokk council said the area where the extension was proposed was used by local fishermen.

Marsascala council said the fish farm was polluting the seabed of the bays of Marsascala when the wind blew in their direction. Fishermen were finding fewer seabed fish since the tuna cages had been put in place and swimmers complained about the farm attracting large predatory fish into the bays.

Mepa also received a petition, signed by 10 people, who objected to the proposal saying the health of swimmers and divers who frequented popular bays in the vicinity would be negatively affected since more fish would increase the waste generated by the farm, affecting the water quality.

The petition claimed the proposed development would also increase traffic to the area and the tourism industry would be negatively affected.

The heritage organisation Din l-Art Helwa had declared that prior to any increase in fish farming activities, a national policy should be established taking into account all relevant factors including the environmental impact.

Mepa consulted the fisheries and aquaculture and veterinary departments which said they had no objection to the extension. The Malta Tourism Authority, however, argued that no more permits should be issued for aquaculture developments until more information on the impact was available.

The Malta Maritime Authority and the Fisheries and Conservation Control Division did not object to the project.

Mepa granted its permit against a number of conditions including the right to amend or update the conditions of the permit to bring the operation in line with the requirements of a future National Policy on Aquaculture, including the need to relocate operations to an aquaculture zone.