Whenever the Maltese talk of fish, particularly the bigger species, the first thing that springs to mind is whether the fish is edible and if so how best to cook it.
Invariably this applies to tuna. But how many people have had the chance to watch tuna at close range and, more so, swim with them?
Emi Farrugia, a deep-sea diver and producer of underwater TV documentaries such as the award-winning TV series Dinja Oħra and X'Qala' l-Baħar, has spawned another marine idea: Giving the public the chance to swim with tuna.
Locals and tourists will be able to dive using just a mask and a snorkel into the world of these gentle giants and see them swimming in an enclosure as big as half a football pitch but circular in shape, anchored near Comino.
Tuna, which are pelagic (migratory) fish, are magnificent speed machines whose body is aerodynamic to perfection. A tuna can grow up to 500 kilos.
"These fantastic creatures do not sleep at all. They are one majestic muscle that darts and swishes through the water like a shining bullet," Mr Farrugia said.
This pilot project, called the Marine Adventure Park Experience, started last May with most of the human visitors being scuba divers, although the main aim of this venture is to enable snorklers to dive into this mesmerising marine world.
"This is an attraction suitable for many people, which guarantees a unique safe experience. Snorklers and scuba divers, in fact, provide an added attraction to each other along with the tuna.
"Those who dived in with the tuna have enjoyed it tremendously and started appreciating the awesome speed and grace of this fish," Mr Farrugia said.
The enclosure used for this experience can be described as a floating aquarium because it can hold a variety of fish species and consists of a structure that can withstand force eight and nine waves.
The pen holds about 50 tuna weighing between 70 and 130 kilos, with the biggest measuring nearly two metres. Tuna grow at about 15 kilos each year.
One can enjoy the half-hour long fun encounter by joining an organised boat trip leaving from Marfa or else from the Blue Lagoon in Comino.
www.marineadventurepark.com