The fish farms off Marsascala should be removed because they had had a much worse effect than projected when they were given the go-ahead last year, according to the Marsascala Shops Association.

The association said yesterday tuna waste had reached the bay and the visual impact of the aquaculture project was worse than its members had been led to believe.

The proposal for the fish farms had been made by the Fisheries Department that falls under the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry.

The ministry had said the day before permission was granted by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority that the environmental impact statement had taken account of "all" the operations and aspects linked to the aquaculture zone.

The association said that the visual impact of the operation had been downplayed during the presentation of the study when a "small cabin cruiser" was pictured as a servicing vessel. Today, the "ships" that service the pens were clearly visible and were an eyesore, the association argued, commenting that it was shameful that a tourist area was being treated in this way.

Moreover, the association said, only part of the project had been implemented and things would get worse by the time it was completed.