It has called for inspections and effective enforcement of legislation protecting the marine environment which is vital for the quality of life of the Maltese people and their economic well-being.

AD’s environment and rural affairs spokesman Mark Causon said: “The authorities are duty bound to investigate the cause of this incident. Such incidents have a negative impact on marine life, as dead fish may be agents of disease.”

He continued: “The authorities should investigate the potential causes which led to this incident. Mepa should investigate whether the use of chlorine dioxide at Delimara power station is having a negative impact on marine life. The use of chlorine dioxide by Enemalta is documented and Mepa can make enquiries to exclude this factor as a possible cause.

“The government and Mepa seem to be convinced that the cause of this incident was the use of explosives for illegal fishing near the sewage outfall. AD deplores the illegal use of dynamite for fishing, as this damages the whole life cycle of fish in the area, thus resulting in a depletion of fish stocks. This type of fishing also causes irreparable environmental damage through leakage of sewage waste in the sea. The government is now duty bound to strengthen enforcement against this practice which has a devastating impact on marine life. More patrols in this area, and also in the north where another sewage pipeline is found, is required to prevent further problems.”

Mr Causon also referred to other sources of marine pollution which are having a negative impact on tourism.

“Mepa is duty bound to stop granting permits for tuna penning. Moving aquaculture activities to one corner of the islands would only result in transferring pollution from one locality to another, in this case the south of Malta. The government is also ignoring the negative impact of tuna penning on the Maltese and Gozitan fishing community and its devastating impact on wild tuna stocks, an impact denounced by none other than the prestigious World Wildlife Fund”, Mr Causon concluded.