Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1011650
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 AUGUST 2018 NEWS OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY FOR HEALTH As part of the Project "ESF 02.053 – Developing Allied Health Capacity to Sustain Health Care Needs", the Ministry for Health has acquired European funds to sponsor candidates to undergo training in the UK to become: Orthoptists (Bachelor's Degree) Optometrists (Bachelor's Degree) Genetic Counsellors (Masters' Degree) Sponsorship covers tuition abroad, paid books and equipment, travel, subsistence whilst abroad, employment and salary whilst following the course and employment following successful completion. More information on these courses can be accessed from the Government website http://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/ahcs/Pages/ESF-projects.aspx or contact: +356 2545 6831 or +356 2545 6886 Interested candidates are to submit their application by not later than 12.00 noon (Central European Time) on Friday, 10 th August 2018 through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on https://recruitment.health@gov.mt/ OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY FOR HEALTH As part of the Project "ESF 02.053 – Developing Allied Health Capacity to Sustain Health Care Needs", the Ministry for Health has acquired European funds to sponsor candidates to undergo training in the UK to become: Orthoptists (Bachelor's Degree) Optometrists (Bachelor's Degree) Genetic Counsellors (Masters' Degree) Sponsorship covers tuition abroad, paid books and equipment, travel, subsistence whilst abroad, employment and salary whilst following the course and employment following successful completion. More information on these courses can be accessed from the Government website http://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/ahcs/Pages/ESF- projects.aspx or contact: +356 2545 6831 or +356 2545 6886 Interested candidates are to submit their application by not later than 12.00 noon (Central European Time) on Friday, 10 th August 2018 through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on https://recruitment.health@gov.mt/ OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY FOR HEALTH As part of the Project "ESF 02.053 – Developing Allied Health Capacity to Sustain Health Care Needs", the Ministry for Health has acquired European funds to sponsor candidates to undergo training in the UK to become: Orthoptists (Bachelor's Degree) Optometrists (Bachelor's Degree) Genetic Counsellors (Masters' Degree) Sponsorship covers tuition abroad, paid books and equipment, travel, subsistence whilst abroad, employment and salary whilst following the course and employment following successful completion. More information on these courses can be accessed from the Government website http://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/ahcs/Pages/ESF-projects.aspx or contact: +356 2545 6831 or +356 2545 6886 Interested candidates are to submit their application by not later than 12.00 noon (Central European Time) on Friday, 10 th August 2018 through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on https://recruitment.health@gov.mt/ OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY FOR HEALTH As part of the Project "ESF 02.053 – Developing Allied Health Capacity to Sustain Health Care Needs", the Ministry for Health has acquired European funds to sponsor candidates to undergo training in the UK to become: Orthoptists (Bachelor's Degree) Optometrists (Bachelor's Degree) Genetic Counsellors (Masters' Degree) Sponsorship covers tuition abroad, paid books and equipment, travel, subsistence whilst abroad, employment and salary whilst following the course and employment following successful completion. More information on these courses can be accessed from the Government website http://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/ahcs/Pages/ESF-projects.aspx or contact: +356 2545 6831 or +356 2545 6886 Interested candidates are to submit their application by not later than 12.00 noon (Central European Time) on Friday, 10 th August 2018 through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on https://recruitment.health@gov.mt/ JAMES DEBONO THE increased predation by yellow-legged gulls on pro- tected storm petrels and oth- er smaller birds around Mel- lieha could be a consequence of relocation of tuna farms to just 4.8km from the Rdum tal-Madonna cliffs. An environmental impact assessment for Azzopardi Fisheries' plans to double the size of its tuna cages stated that seabird colonies off the Rdum tal-Madonna cliffs and eastern Comino could be affected by the new aqua- culture zone. The tuna pens were given a temporary relocation permit last year without any envi- ronmental impact study in 2017. Since then, Azzopardi Fisheries has applied for a permit to double tuna cages in the same area, claiming the tuna fish do not have sufficient space to grow at optimal size. Biologist John J. Borg said in the EIA that the raw and unwashed fish food is at- tracting storm petrels closer to tuna pens, which in turn could also attract birds that prey on them. "The same food supply has attracted a constant presence of small fish around the pens which in-turn attract gulls and terns," he said. BirdLife Malta has already raised the concern of the potentially increased vulner- ability of storm petrels to seagulls. But the EIA states that it is unclear whether gulls would actively hunt storm petrels aggregating around the tuna pens. "If these introduced opportunities result in an increase in the seagull pop- ulation, this could directly and indirectly impact upon the breeding population of the other breeding seabirds through increased predation and competition for nesting sites," the EIA warns. The impact would be less- ened if feeding regulations are enforced and the baitfish is washed before being fed to the tuna. While adult storm petrels regularly fall prey to yellow- legged gulls on the isle of Fil- fla, no interactions between gulls and storm petrels have yet been noted near the tuna pens. Since shearwaters and storm petrels are diving birds, they face the risk of en- tanglement in the fish farm nets, resulting in drowning. Borg has noted, however, that no such incidences have yet been reported. Fish farms can be a source of marine debris such as plas- tics, which can cause death to seabirds by dehydration, blockage of the digestive tract, or toxins released in the intestines. The EIA recommended minimising light and noise pollution which can impact on the bird colonies. In the past entire seabird breeding colonies in Xlendi Bay, Hal-Far, Ghar Lapsi and Wied iz-Zurrieq were aban- doned when electricity was introduced in the area. To avert these impacts the EIA suggests a downscaling of activities at night, the set- ting up of a seabird monitor- ing programme, the moni- toring of gull colonies and the training of staff "in ap- propriate bird handling and reporting". KARL AZZOPARDI THE traditional plate of fresh Maltese lampuki is set to make its much anticipat- ed return to restaurants and homes alike, as the season' s beginning draws closer. "Preparations are well un- derway, we are in the final phases. All that remains is that we have a success- ful and profitable season," Marsaxlokk lampuki fish- erman Adrian Caruana said as he rolled up the fishing line he will be using for his outings at sea. Caruana, like many other fishermen of the dolphin fish, is in his final stages of preparation for the 15 August, the festa of Santa Marija, when the lampuka season kicks off. For many it will be a day of vaca- tion and restoration, spent most likely at sea or seek- ing shade. For Caruana, it will be a day spent working hard. Lampuki, one of Malta's most beloved and famous fish dishes, traces its roots back to Roman times, whose fishing techniques are still used to this very day. Caruana, a veteran fisher- man, said preparations for the lampuka season start as early as February, as the fishing technique used is one of the most hectic and demanding to prepare. Through a lottery sys- tem, the various licensed fishermen are given a loca- tion out at sea where they can lay out their appara- tus called 'cimi' – a palm tree branch knotted with a floating jablo raft, which is than anchored to the sea- bed. Lampuki proceed to seek shade under the large palm leaf. The fishermen move from one raft to another, and if the fish are spotted, they lay out a large fish- ing net which surrounds the resting fish. The net is then pulled into the boat, through the process drag- ging in the catch. Lampuki migrate through Maltese waters during late August through to late De- cember, and can be cooked Having spent the last months preparing for the upcoming lampuka season, fishermen gear up for weeks of hard work and sacrifice Lampuka season, ahoy "Each year I see the catch population decline more and more. The only thing that keeps us going is the price of the fish" Tuna pens may attract predatory birds