Updated at 5.40pm with ERA statement
The Nationalist Party has urged the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to publish the results of its investigation into the fish sludge found at Ħondoq Bay.
Earlier this month, Qala mayor Paul Buttiġieġ complained to the authorities and fish farm operators after slime washed up at the popular bay. He had suspected that the slime had drifted from a fish farm off St Paul’s Bay.
This week ERA said it will continue to monitor the ongoing cleaning at the beach by members of the Federation of Fish Farms.
On Saturday, the PN said ERA must identify the source of contamination and establish effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
“The priority of the Nationalist Party is to stop contamination of this kind from the source, to reduce the environmental risks and protect the health of all those who frequent the beach,” PN environment spokesperson Rebekah Borg and Gozo spokesperson Alex Borg said.
ERA "considering" fining fish farm operator
In a statement published on Saturday afternoon, ERA said the clean-up of the slime and oil on the sand, carried out by the Federation of Fish Farmers has been ongoing for several days.
"ERA is considering action through administrative fines on the fish farm operator for breaching the environmental permit conditions that led to this episode," the statement read.
"These conditions are included in environmental permits to limit environmental damage."
Summer of contaminated beaches
The PN statement said the slime at Ħondoq is not an “isolated incident” and recent cases of contamination in Maltese bays have “heightened the public’s concern”.
This summer several beaches were closed due to contamination.
In May, popular tourist spot Balluta Bay was closed after becoming contaminated with Escherichia coli, or E. coli, and Enterococci. The closure had left visitors disappointed and businesses impacted.
Earlier this week, Balluta Bay reopened to the public.
Last week, the beach underneath Buġibba square was cleared for swimming after health authorities issued a contamination warning for the area the previous week.