Fish farms, being the primary source of slime that can be clearly seen from Maltese coastlines have not just contributed to foul smells and waters unfit for swimming, but have also unashamedly been exceeding permit specifications with the number of cages and types of fish farmed.
A report commissioned by the Environment Ministry has confirmed as such, with Minister Jose Herrera stating that Emergency Enforcement Notices should be issued in the coming days.
A series of media reports emerged over the past few weeks after increasing levels of sea sludge could be seen, resulting in a barrage of complaints by the public. The reports specifically related to putrid smells along the coast road in the Salini/Bahar ic-Caq area – which many say emanates from the St Paul’s Bay fish farm, and separate reports of swimmers who have wound up with slime stuck to them following an attempt at a leisurely swim.
Following a press conference on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change outlined the exact infringements found through a report carried out by the Ministry itself.
It was said that:
“AJD (and Malta Mariculture Ltd which currently is not operational) – producing Tuna – North of the Island has a total of 14, 90 metre tuna cages on site whereas the permit is 3 tuna cages by 42 metres, 3 tuna cages of 50 metres in diameter and 1 tuna cage of 90 metres. The infringement is 13 tuna cages of 90 metres. There is also an active enforcement ECF 1151/00.
“Fish & Fish Limited (FF) – producing Tuna – the MEPA permit originally issued for the production of Sea Bream and Sea Bass, which was later partly converted to Tuna. Currently on site there are 14 tuna cages of 50 metres in 2 locations whereas approved permits are for 8 tuna cages of 50 metres and 8 sea bream / sea bass cages of 20 metres. From a survey carried on site this month, there are 6 tuna cages of 50 metres with infringement. There is also an active enforcement ECF 374/14, which is subject to a pending appeal.
“Malta Fish Farming Ltd (MFF) – producing Tuna, Sea Bream and Sea Bass. Currently on site there are 15 cages of sea bream / sea bass of 20 metres, 3 tuna cages of 50 metres and 1 tuna cage of 90 metres where as the approved is for 1 tune cafe of 90 metres, 2 tuna cages of 50 metres and 2 sea bream / sea bass cages of 20 metres. This means that there is 1 tuna cage of 50 metres and 13 sea bream / sea bass cages of 20 metres with infringement. There is also an active enforcement ECF 375/14, which is subject to a pending appeal. “
In the press conference, Dr Herrera said that while emergency enforcement notices are in the works, it must work within the law and cannot order the authorities to automatically shut down the fish farms in question.
“This situation is unacceptable and I will not permit any environmental damage or compromise to people’s health,” Dr Herrera said.
In addition to this, Malta has been voted as having the second cleanest waters in the Mediterranean, and has been praised internationally by divers who travel to the island in order to explore its waters. In the light of this, the Minster said that it would be a “moral sin” to allow the situation to deteriorate to such an extent.
In addition to this, the Environment and Resources Authority CEO Ruben Abela had said that the feeding systems, which are one of two known causes for the slime will be regulated under new rules.