Ships' activities 'affect trade' in Marsascala

The Marsascala Shop Owners Association and the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU are urging the Prime Minister to intervene in order to stop large ships dropping anchor and not to allow fish farms at Zonqor Point.

They said the ships, as well as fish farm cages, were having a negative visual impact on the area - affecting trade.

It appeared that the Fisheries Department had given ships permission to proceed in spite of a pending appeal before the Malta Environment and Planning Authority as well as a court application.

When contacted, a Fisheries Department official said the association is not clear as to which ships it is referring to.

"The Fisheries Department will be in a position to give its reaction to these claims when the association comes up with the verified facts," the official said.