The problems arising from fish farm operations have been with us for at least 11 years and politicians have pussy footed and done nothing about them, showing weakness and lack of leadership in dealing with the fish farms.  Firm actions are well overdue.

At the public meeting of the Planning Board, the operators’ spokesman warned that revoking permits could spell the ‘death knell’ for an industry which accounts for 1.5 per cent of GDP.

That might be true, but operators have no right to negatively impact on other industries which also contribute to the GDP. Certainly no right to discharge feed slime and contaminate our clean waters.

It is illegal to operate substantially more cages than the permits allow. The operators’ posture cannot be so cocky unless they have the support of the government of the day.

The operators claim that the new feed causing the slime was “a surprise and a mistake”.  Notwithstanding clear warnings in the past seven years and blinded by greed, the operators continued violating conditions of the permits.

No, this episode did not catch the industry by surprise, nor was it a mistake.  Just read an article on the Times of Malta dated August 1, 2014, titled ‘Fishy pollution is still a mystery five years later.’ The article says “a slew of greasy, white foam that carries an unbearable stench continues to blight the once pristine bay at il-Kalanka, limits of Delimara”.

The operators’ and their lawyers’ tactic now is clearly to downplay this negative impact and buy time for the relocation of the cages.

They have bound themselves to do so by June 2017. Can they be trusted? They have been dragging their feet since 2005 while ignoring enforcement orders from the PA.

In my view the government and the Opposition should put aside the previous mistakes and focus on the overall interest of the nation.

There should be a bi-partisan approach to support the PA to bring this industry in line.

A complete audit of the fish farm’s operational procedures should be initiated to ensure ICCAT quotas are being met, taxes are collected and quality control is maintained.

It is time to act decisively before further damage is caused to our quality of life and the tourist product.

Fish farm operators should ensure that the industry remains sustainable and this they can do without any special concessions, financial or otherwise, from the government.

Like the rest of us mortals, fish farm operators will do well to remember that they are caretakers in this world and it is incumbent upon them to preserve the environment for this and future generations.

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