Several owners of businesses in Marsascala filed an application in court objecting to the development of an aquaculture zone six kilometres out from Zonqor Point in Marsascala.

The development was given the necessary go-ahead by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board last December. The development will see the setting up of a fish farm measuring three kilometres by three kilometres for the farming of tuna. The applicants intend to increase both standards of operation and production of this type of farming and to relocate the existing tuna farms in the south of the island.

The owners of businesses in Marsascala, along with the Association of Marsascala Businesses and the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, called on the court to declare the decision of the Mepa board as illegal and null and void.

It also asked the court to declare that the project is excessive and order the developers to stop the project and hold them responsible for the damage they are sustaining and will sustain as a result of the project.

Professor Ian Refalo and Dr Mark Refalo signed the writ.