The Retail Outlets Association of Marsascala has called for the removal of the tuna fish farms from their area and has asked the prime minister to investigate the speculation in the change of ownership of licences.

The association said it appeared that there would be even more tuna cages this season, and in spite of the promises that had been made about the aquaculture zone, environmental damage continued unchecked.

It had been said that the cages would be moved further out to sea but this had not happened and now the tuna fish farms activities were being intensified.

There was heavy speculation on the licences and it was being claimed that these were changing hands for sums running into millions of liri.

The association said it wondered how much the Maltese economy was gaining from these activities. Only a few Maltese were employed in the industry, and revenue for the government was low. On the other hand, however, they were ruining the tourism industry at Marsascala.