Aquaculture firms eyeing expansion in Malta

 

AJD Tuna and Malta Mariculture are looking to open two tuna pens in Malta, specifically at a north aquaculture zone 4.6 km from Qala in the Gozo region, Fish Information & Services reported.

 

The cages were previously located in So Paulo Bay and off the coast of Comino, but were relocated to a neighbouring area 7.6 km from Cala in 2017 to reduce the impact on the coast after the company's aquaculture permits were revoked for environmental violations.

 

Under strict ICCAT (the international regulatory body for Blue Fin Tuna) conditions, AJD Tuna operates from Malta through its two farms along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Malta Mariculture Ltd. With a capacity to produce more than 3,500 metric tonnes of fish annually, the company is one of the top three Mediterranean producers of blue fin tuna, almost all of which is exported to Japan.

 

As part of an agreement between Malta's Environment and Resources Authority and the Department of Fisheries, the new fish farming area will be located opposite Qala and 5.7 km from Mellieha.

 

In accordance with the country's policy, the cages will be placed in the aquaculture area of northern Malta, according to the latest proposal.

 

The farms' total biomass will be 6,000 tonnes of tuna, but the number of cages may vary depending on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas requirements (ICCAT).

 

The two companies have Department of Fisheries permits to house 3,300 tonnes in the two pens, implying that the new zone will accommodate future tuna growth, which is also governed by ICCAT quotas.

 

The Planning Authority's case officer report showed these plans will further reduce the concentration of aquaculture activities in inshore waters, relocate potentially polluting activities, and reduce conflicts with other maritime and tourist uses.

 

An Environment Impact Assessment for an aquaculture zone around Sikka l-Bajda was completed in 2019, but Malta's Agriculture Ministry began a review of the relocation of the fish farm off Gozo in 2020.

 

A spokesperson for the ministry said they are concerned with both the increase in size of the area indicated and the location chosen, which is close to touristic and environmentally sensitive areas, particularly ondoq Bay in Qala and the island of Comino.

 

The spokesperson said the industry is already well served by the current fish farming zones, so further expansion does not seem necessary. The ministry will make a final decision after the review is finished regarding whether to modify the application as-is or withdraw it entirely.

 

-      Fish Information & Services