PA turns down tuna farm application, another withdrawn

Yesterday was a day of triumph for environmentalists, divers and fishermen after one application for a tuna farm was turned down by the Planning Authority board, another was withdrawn, and a third not heard.

During a public hearing, the PA board refused full development permission for a tuna penning farm off Benghajsa by seven votes to four. The project, applied for by Kenneth Cole, was to include a temporary land base at the Ricasoli industrial estate.

The applicant for outline development permission for tuna pens at a site off limits of St Andrew`s, Charles Azzopardi on behalf of Azzopardi Fisheries, withdrew his application saying the site was far too close to the Armed Forces of Malta shooting range.

The third application, for full development permission to carry out tuna penning at a site off Qawra Point, St Paul`s Bay was not heard yesterday because the applicant claimed that the PA had not given him enough time to prepare his case.

This application was filed by Massimo Coppitto on behalf of Mare Blu Ltd.

Opposition to the farms came from various quarters.

Sarah Muscat from Nature Trust said there were only 12 tuna farms in the Mediterranean and three of these were in Malta.

The most vociferous opponent was Joe Mizzi, who represents the Labour Party on the PA board.

Mr Mizzi repeatedly asked the PA directorate`s officers why they kept bringing before the board more applications for tuna farms when data on their impact on the environment was incomplete.

Uppermost among the objectors to the proposed Benghajsa farm was the Koperattiva Nazzjonali tas-Sajd, which said fishermen were facing increased competition from the existing fish farms since five per cent of the produce was directed at the local market.

The proposed farm off Qawra Point was submitted by the Professional Diving Schools Association which said that it would be too close to two dive sites holding the wrecks of HMS Stubborn and Imperial Eagle, where it wanted to set up a marine park.