Five fish-farm operators sue for libel

Joseph Schembri

Sep 3rd 2008, 19:56

I remember swimming in Mistra bay as a child (that is a couple of decades away :P) which was clean. Some years ago after the fish farms had been operating there for some time I tried to go swimming there. The water was disgusting.

As regards minister Pullcino, he has the right to befriend anyone he likes. Speaking strictly for myself, I had a friend who once took me out on his yacht. I returned the favour with a nice gift.

Ray Bezzina

Aug 26th 2008, 15:31

@ Dion Borg

I won't go into the merits of the libel cases instituted by the various operators. However, for the record it must be stated that Minister Pullicino knew Azzopardi for a long time, long before the appointment as Fisheries Minister. This notwithstanding, Minister Pullicino always acted in a correct way and Azzopardi has never been treated favourably and whenever it was felt necessary all actions were taken, independent of any alleged friendship of the Minister with Mr Azzopardi.

With regards to the comment on the fishfarms being close to the shore, Mr Borg should note that it was under Minister Pullicino's tenure, during the past legislature, that the fishfarms located in the South of Malta were relocated to a site more than 6km away from the shore in order to lessen the impacts of this industry.

Ray Bezzina
Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs

Edward Zammit

Aug 25th 2008, 23:40

Fish farms within 15 KM away from the shore should be outlawed, as they are ruining the few good swimming spots. Another thing, as well as being health hazards with all that fish muck that's produced, they also attract other big fish such as sharks. When something serious occurs then the authorities might take notice and do something about it, but only after !

Antoine Cassar

Aug 25th 2008, 17:38

Has anybody noticed the overwhelming increase of algae in Mistra Bay compared to how much there was around ten years ago? Could it be due to the proteins peppered into the sea in a fish farm not many metres away? Mare Blu indeed...

Dion Borg

Aug 25th 2008, 16:50

What is scandalous is that these operators are keeping their cages close to the shore and polluting our (once) pristine bays.
And whilst Minister Pullicino & the previous MEPA chairman felt at ease to holiday on one of the operator's boat - we now have this wealthy (at our environment's expense) lobby trying to strangle MaltaToday for exposing - let just say very questionable circumstances.