Bathing and fish farming do not mix (1)

Now we have a confirmation that the various fish farms, allegedly illegally sited within Malta's bays, are attracting sharks and barracudas. This situation is putting local bathers and tourists unnecessarily at risk of attacks from these predators. This is not the first time that this issue has been brought up for the attention of the public and the government.

It is clear that these are strong arguments to request the owners of these fish farms to dismantle and reassemble their cages far out in the open sea. Do we have to wait for an attack on humans to occur before the authorities decide to move and restore safety and legality in the siting of these farms?

Apart from the risk of attacks by predators there is also another valid objection to these in-shore farms and this is based on the contamination that is caused by the unconsumed fish feed and the excrement produced by such a high concentration of fish in a confined space.

The high incidence of throat and eye infections, suffered by adults and children alike, in summer, is confirmed by medical sources. Can the health authorities wake up and pronounce themselves?

Furthermore, there is a conflict of objectives. Inshore fish farming and tourism do not mix.

On one hand we are proud of and publicise the pristine bathing facilities that Malta has to offer, while we allow a fish farming activity, conducted in a legally dubious manner, to cause contamination. And all this just for the convenience and benefit of some fish farmers.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association is on record as having objected strongly to fish farms within bays and close to shore.

MHRA has lobbied with the government, and I presume is still lobbying together with the Malta Tourism Authority, to have these farms removed from their present sites. Unfortunately, it looks like MHRA and the MTA do not have as much clout with this administration as that enjoyed by the fish farming lobby.

It is incredible how this administration seems to stop in its tracks when it is required to call to order sectors promoting their selfish and vested economic interests against those of the public. Sectors selfishly practising activities in a manner harmful and damaging to the public should not be allowed to have it their way.

Pressure needs to be made now, and maintained, so that hopefully, before summer 2010, the fish farms are moved away from our bays.