'No need' for strategic impact assessment

The Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry said yesterday there was no need of a strategic impact assessment because the relocation of tuna farms in the south "is not part of a policy change".

The ministry rebutted claims made by the opposition that the environment impact assessment carried out on the new aquaculture zone was incomplete.

"The study commissioned by the Fisheries Conservation and Control Division was very detailed and shows that a zone six kilometres offshore will not cause irreversible environmental problems as has been claimed by the opposition," the ministry said. Insisting that the relocation would eliminate the negative impacts of fish farming on residents and businesses in Marsascala, the government said safeguarding the aquaculture industry was very important for Malta's economy.

The ministry appealed to stakeholders to come together and discuss "how this decision will be best implemented in the least possible time".

Following the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's approval of the aquaculture zone last week, tuna operators said they would appeal the decision and resist the relocation using legal means.

The Marsascala local council and the shop owners' association also contested Mepa's decision.