Gale force winds 'destroy' over €7m tuna stock

Gale force winds wrought havoc early yesterday, destroying a tuna farm holding €7.4 million worth of fish.

Four cages used to harvest about 600 tonnes of tuna were completely destroyed by Force 6 winds and by yesterday afternoon had drifted up to one mile away from their moorings.

The farm, situated five miles out at sea to the east of Valletta, belongs to Ta' Mattew Fish Farms Ltd.

Owner Ray Bugeja said most of the fish escaped or died in the ordeal.

Speaking to The Times from his boat, Mr Bugeja said five fishing vessels were out at sea trying to salvage what remained of the stock, but the bad weather hampered their efforts.

"Most of the tuna are either dead or have escaped out to sea. At this year's market prices we estimate to have lost €7.4 million," a distressed Mr Bugeja said.

The damage is believed to have happened in the early hours of yesterday when the sea was very rough. The ship that keeps watch over the farm raised the alarm early in the afternoon when it was clear that the cages were damaged.

The moorings had snapped. The whole farm drifted from its position and the owners had to inform Valletta Port Control to urge caution by ships that might sail through the area.

"It will take us days to lift the anchors and repair some of the damage caused. We have five boats out at sea but it is not easy to work in gale force winds," Mr Bugeja said, adding no one was injured in the incident.

The Malta International Airport Meteorological Office yesterday reported a strong northwest wind ranging between Force 5 and 6 and rough sea conditions.