Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529892
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS THE annual census conducted amongst the operators in the local aquaculture and tuna farming industry revealed that, during 2023, the total output produced and marketed through this economic activity dropped by €119.3 million or 37.4 per cent to a total of €199.7 million. On the contrary, the intermediate consumption of the industry, which sums up most of the operating ex- penses sustained by the same opera- tors, rose by €28.5 million or 11.9 per cent over the amount recorded in the preceding year, to a total of €266.8 million. The combined effect of these shifts resulted in a decrease of €147.8 mil- lion in the industry's gross value add- ed, closing with a negative balance of €67.1 million. The consumption of fixed assets used in the generation of income by the in- dustry fell slightly by €0.1 million or 1.2 per cent to a total of €4.8 million; while the total wage bill paid on remu- nerations to their workforce edged up- wards by €0.7 million or 5.7 per cent to €12.3 million. As a result, during the reference year, the industry reported a net operating deficit of €84.3 million. In terms of weight, the total quantity of farmed fish rose by 2.8 million kilo- grammes or 15.4 per cent to a total of 20.8 million kilogrammes. Indeed, this increase was the result of a higher volume of farmed tuna of 2.8 million kilogrammes that completely offset the negligible drop recorded in farmed closed cycle fish species. Nevertheless, when compared to the previous year, the total marketed val- ue of farmed fish declined by €121.3 million or 37.9 per cent to a figure of €199.1 million. Regarding the costs and expenses in- curred by the industry, the purchasing of live tuna and other fish for fattening increased by €21.8 million or 16.6 per cent to a total of €152.7 million. When compared to a share of 54.9 per cent registered in 2022, the latter expense grew to 57.2 per cent of the entire intermediate consumption in- curred by the industry in 2023. Moreover, the industry's variable production costs increased by 14.6 per cent to €87.5 million, while the selling costs and overheads costs fell by 18.9 per cent and 13.4 per cent to a total of €4.6 million and €22.0 million respec- tively. Total output of fish produced by aquaculture and tuna farming industry in Malta fell by €119.3 million in 2023 The consumption of fixed assets used in the generation of income by the industry fell slightly by €0.1 million or 1.2 per cent to a total of €4.8 million SINCE its inception in 2021 the 'Ikber Magħna' project has seen the opening of a substantial number of educational centres across the island. Through the efforts of local councillor Beverly Saliba, a Memorandum of Understand- ing between Optimist Club of Malta President, Reuben M Buttigieg and Marsaska- la Mayor, Mario Calleja, was signed on Tuesday, inaugurat- ing the 'Ikber Magħna' centre for the children of the same locality. The ultimate goal of this ev- er-developing project is to help children with their homework and studies after school hours. Through this project, children between the ages of eight and 10 from the locality of Marsas- kala can attend, and there they will find the necessary assis- tance. The venue within the Mar- saskala Local Council, allocat- ed for this project is equipped with laptops, books, education- al games and stationery which can be used by the children while doing their homework and studies. The project also includes a variety of presentations and educational extracurricular ac- tivities that support these chil- dren's growth outside of school hours and provide them expe- riences that will help them de- velop their character for years to come. Optimist Club of Malta is a recognised voluntary organi- sation and is part of the world- wide Optimist International Organization, whose mission is to assist others in various re- gions around the world. The vision of the worldwide Optimist International Organ- isation is to ultimately help bring out the best in youth, im- prove their lives and the com- munities which they inhabit. The 'Ikber Magħna' sessions will be held every Wednesday and Friday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, at Ċentru tal-Komu- nita', 39, Sunset, Triq il-Kap- para, Marsaskala; a project where children from the same locality will find the necessary assistance to continue learning, even after school hours. The 'Ikber Magħna' centre in Marsaskala is sponsored by BNF Bank p.l.c. The Sensi Hotel and Cerviola Hotel have also contributed towards this project. New Optimist Club of Malta 'Ikber Maghna' centre in Marsaskala