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MTA wants curbs on tuna penning

By Kurt Sansone

The Planning Authority has turned down a ‘strong recommendation’ made by the Malta Tourism Authority earlier this week for an embargo on tuna penning developments despite the negative impact they are having on the tourism industry.

The MTA did not mince its words in highlighting what it claims is the negative impact of fish farming on the tourism industry. "These operations have led to an unprecedented level of sea pollution and unpleasant odours," the statement issued last week said.

The tourism authority expressed its concern that sustained pollution will "irreparably contaminate the foreshore".

The MTA called for an embargo on further aquaculture development until further studies are conducted to gauge the impact on Malta’s marine environment.

When asked by MaltaToday, the PA admitted that aquaculture operations needed careful guidance and better regulation. The authority added that it has urged the government to prepare a National Policy on Aquaculture.

MaltaToday is informed that work on this policy has already commenced. The PA is co-ordinating a steering committee made up of representatives of the Malta Maritime Authority, the Environment Protection Department, the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, the Department of Veterinary Services, the Malta Development Corporation and the Malta Tourism Authority.

But despite the MTA’s recommendation, the PA told MaltaToday that "In the interim period, the Authority (PA) has a legal obligation to process applications as per current policy."

When asked, the PA confirmed that on a number of occasions it has taken action against farms not complying with the conditions of their development permit.

"This has included the issue of enforcement notices against farms mooring cages without development permission, and against a farm that increased cage size beyond the dimensions permitted by the development permit," the PA said.

On another occasion the PA withdrew the bank guarantee of a farm that did not comply with permit conditions with respect to environmental monitoring.

The PA explained that environmental monitoring has been included as part of the conditions for development permits concerning aquaculture. "The monitoring programme is approved by the Planning Authority and conducted by independent consultants at the expense of the developers."