I have very sad and bitter feelings regarding the unfortunate way that matters are developing regarding fish farming on the south east coast of Malta.

This issue is not a necessary evil, as in the case of the waste recycling plant.

I am indeed very disappointed that so far officials of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority seem to be oblivious to the enormous responsibility they are shouldering - the proposed fish farms will be stationed a mere six kilometres away from the coast (roughly the distance between Marsascala and Fgura), which is nothing when we have one of those "grigalati" and the grand forces of nature prevail.

And, to make the situation even more unbelievably serious, I have read that the volume of fish farming being proposed is half that of all the Mediterranean!

I need not go into what cumulative repercussions there would be, not just to the south of Malta but to the whole area around Malta. Sensible advanced countries are doing their utmost and spending millions to cut down and minimise pollution - why do we have to do just the opposite in this day and age? I am sure that any amount of divers and other associated employees would be better employed in the tourist diving industry and as marine wardens.

I also wish to register that I was very offended, to say the least, when I received a "questionnaire" issued by Mepa regarding my views on the proposed fish farms, as a resident of Marsascala. The questions contained in this survey were an insult to my intelligence - and indeed to anyone with an ounce of sense. Would Mepa please inform us of the outcome of this "questionnaire"? As a taxpaying Maltese citizen who completed the questionnaire, I demand to know.

I sincerely hope that, as in the case of the quarry at Mnajdra/Hagar Qim, the ultimate authorities responsible will veto this proposal. It should not even have been considered in the first place - and I hope that other Maltese people will voice their opinion on this matter before it is too late.