Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1004621
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 JULY 2018 NEWS Call for aquaculture project proposals co-financed through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 The European Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme for Malta in respect of the current programming period provides funding opportunities to the fishing industry and related coastal communities to help them adapt to ever-changing sectoral conditions whilst fostering their economical resilience and ecological sustainability. The Fund will be of assistance in reaching the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and support the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, as delineated in pertinent Regulation (EU) No. 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Funds and Programmes Division is hereby informing potential beneficiaries that a call for aquaculture project proposals was launched on 13 July 2018 for these measures: Article 48(i) a-d, f-h Measure II.2 Productive investments in aquaculture Article 48(i) e, i, j Measure II.3 Productive investments in aquaculture Resource efficiency, reducing usage of water and chemicals, recirculation systems minimising water use Deadline for submission of Application Forms: 31 August 2018 This call has a total allocation of circa €2mn in public eligible funding (European Union and Malta shares). The Managing Authority reserves the right to increase or decrease the said allocation. An information session will be held on 26 July 2018 10.00am at the Division's premises in Triq il-Kukkanja, Sta. Venera. The Application Form and annexes can be downloaded from the following web link: http://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/Agricultural%20Fisheries%20Fund/ Pages/News-and-Events.aspx More information and/or registration for the said information session (until 20 July) can be requested on 22001108 or via e-mail to fpd.meae@gov.mt or on www.eufundsmalta.gov.mt. Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020 Part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Co-financing rate: 37.5% European Union funds; 12.5% national funds; 50% private funds Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture IMPORTANT NOTICE Grant scheme on Roof Insulation and Double Glazing for domestic use The Regulator for Energy and Water Services, will be holding an information meeting for the general public interested in applying for a grant on the purchase of Roof Insulation or Double Glazing apertures The meeting will be held next Wednesday 18 th July 2018; 2:00pm at Catholic Institute, Floriana Mr Justice Grazio Mercieca CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But Mercieca is already facing the threat of recusal requests from lawyers who have balked at the prospect of asking the one-time Labour official and advisor to former Gozo minister Anton Refalo, to review decisions made by the government. The caseload was previously in the hands of Mr Justice Jo- seph Micallef, part of which was handed over to Mr Justice Toni Abela. But as the former deputy leader for party affairs of the Labour Party, Abela was said to have refused to take on administrative review cases due to the threat of rec- usals. Grazio Mercieca, 61, was for many years a president of the Labour Party's Gozo section, and in 2013 was appointed to the personal secretariat of Gozo minister Anton Refalo as chief advisor. He was paid a salary package of just over €50,000. One of the lawyers who spoke to MaltaToday spe- cifically mentioned one case he is representing, that con- cerns a decision by the Gozo Channel. "It is unthinkable to have none other than a for- mer chief advisor in the Gozo ministry to pass judgement over a case like this." Another lawyer remarked that more attention should be paid on assignments where the judge has had an active political life. "You can't have been 'in government' and now be expected to take a portfolio of cases that involve the administrative decisions of that same government." In 2015 Mercieca became court attorney to Mr Justice Wenzu Mintoff, and then was appointed in 2016 to the bench after having been scrutinised by the new judi- cial appointments commis- sion. Mercieca was originally cleared for appointment as judge. Judge's duties JAMES DEBONO EXCAVATIONS for the de- velopment of the 18th-century villa on Mrabat Street in St Ju- lian's, have uncovered rock cut trenches which are now being investigated by the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage. The proposed development is that of an eight-storey apart- ment block in the gardens of the Cloisters house. MaltaToday was alerted to the possible archaeological find by residents and immediately contacted the Planning Au- thority and the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage. The Archaeological Society of Malta was also informed and is following this case. Cultural Heritage Superin- tendent Joe Magro Conti con- firmed that an archaeologist under the direction of the Su- perintendence is currently in- vestigating the features. "The investigation is at its prelimi- nary stages so it is yet prema- ture to comment on conclu- sions," Magro Conti said. The Superintendence could not confirm the nature of the features being investigated, in- sisting that this would be pre- mature. An archaeologist familiar with similar sites told Malta- Today that while the site mer- its a rigorous investigation, the rock cuts may be related to the growing of citrus trees while a round feature could be the head of a well. But while these features would be worth recording they are not consid- ered to have a particular ar- chaeological importance. The permit for the Cloisters development was issued on condition that archaeological monitoring under CSH super- vision take place during works. In the event of an accidental discovery in the course of ap- proved works, any cultural her- itage feature discovered should not be damaged or disturbed and the CSH is to be imme- diately informed of such dis- covery. The Superintendence also has the power to ask the developers to amend plans in the case of archaeological dis- coveries. In the past years excavations have yielded a number of ar- chaeological findings ranging from Roman tombs and cart ruts in Qormi to vine trenches along the coast road and Mel- lieha. In August 2016 excava- tions for bungalows in Mellieha yielded similar rock cut trench- es which were classified as vine trenches dating to modern times and therefore not worthy of protection. But some vine trenches discovered in other parts of the island like Zejtun date back to Roman times. While the Superintendence is busy analysing the latest finds uncovered under the Clois- ters' garden, the PA has had no qualms in approving a pro- ject which would will see the demolition of the highly vis- ible garden walls. The Cloisters predates the British Period and is most likely contemporary with the end of the rule of the Knights in Malta. Its historic garden is set to make way for two maisonettes, 24 apart- ments and a penthouse, to be built at the back of the sched- uled building. The development will also en- tail excavation for the creation of basements for 55 car spaces. The permit was issued in Feb- ruary to developer Darren De- sira who had applied on behalf of the Bilom Group. St Julian's palazzo rock cuts find under examination An archaeologist familiar with similar sites told MaltaToday the rock cuts may be related to the growing of citrus trees while a round feature could be the head of a well