Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533434
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 MARCH 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt THE availability of artificial feed spe- cifically designed for bluefin tuna could be a game changer in the sector. Local tuna farmers are being encour- aged to explore this new product with a view to eliminating or reducing the use of baitfish for feeding. This emerges from an Environmen- tal Impact Assessment (EIA) on the impact of tuna farms in the north of Malta. The study is related to a govern- ment proposal to change the current temporary status of the tuna pen hold- ing zone into a permanent one. "It would be advisable for the farm operator to be requested to provide a report on the viability of this feed," the EIA carried out by ADI Associ- ates states. It adds that changing tuna feeding practices from the traditional method of using whole fish could sig- nificantly reduce the amount of waste generated in the surrounding waters. Artificial feeds are made from a com- bination of plant-based proteins, fish- meal, and other ingredients that pro- vide the essential nutrients tuna need, thus reducing reliance on wild-caught species. The use of formulated feed would also improve water quality by limiting organic waste that currently results from excess fish parts, uneaten food, and the presence of scavenger species that congregate around the farms due to food remnants. From temporary to permanent site The EIA update assesses the environ- mental impact of making the tempo- rary site permanent while retaining the approved total biomass of fish and all previously established conditions. The current temporary site, which hosts tuna pens owned by AJD Tuna Ltd and Malta Mariculture Ltd, is lo- cated 4.7km from the protected Rdum tal-Madonna cliffs off Mellieħa. The cliffs host large colonies of storm petrels, a sea bird. The tuna pen site is also located about 5km from Qawra Point in St Paul's Bay. This area is designated as a marine protected area. A previous application submitted in 2019 had proposed locating the per- manent aquaculture zone for northern tuna pens approximately 5.7km from the Mellieħa cliffs and 7.6km from Qa- wra Point. However, the major drawback of the application was that the proposed site was only 4.6km away from Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Qala. The application was dropped following objections from the Qala local council. Findings of the EIA update The findings from the EIA confirm that the impact on seawater quality and the seabed from tuna farming op- erations has been minimal. The study monitored sedimentation levels and water parameters, concluding that while localised increases in organic matter were detected, they did not lead to significant long-term degradation. Existing mitigation measures, includ- ing the regulation of feed amounts and monitoring of waste dispersal, were deemed effective in maintaining over- all water quality within acceptable lim- its. However, uncertainty regarding the impact on bird populations remains. The report refers to the increased pres- ence of seagulls and other scavenger birds that feed on discarded fish re- mains, raising the likelihood of seagulls preying on protected bird colonies. Re- ports of instances of seabirds becoming oiled with fish slime are also increasing. One of the recommendations made in the report is that a study be undertak- en to assess the effects of the fish farms on seabird populations in the Maltese Islands, which should also examine predator-prey interactions. Existing feeding practices The report documents that current feeding and harvesting practices at the tuna farms follow established methods used in the industry. Bluefin tuna are fattened in offshore cages after being caught and transferred from the wild. Traditionally, they are fed with whole fish, such as sardines, herring, macker- el, and anchovies. It is estimated that it takes 10 to 25 kg of baitfish to produce 1 kg of tuna. Harvesting takes place through a highly controlled process, ensuring compliance with international quotas and traceability regulations. Slaughter- ing is carried out by divers who enter the cage to shoot each tuna in the head. The head, tails and guts of the tuna, being collected and transformed into protein-rich fish meal and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fish oils. The report concludes that although surveillance and oil collection meas- ures have been stepped up, the impacts from fish slime when this manages to escape the farm precincts and reach- es the inshore areas, is still of major significance especially with regards to nuisance on other marine and coast- al uses. Greater attention to this issue must be had, for as long as the tuna keep on being fed bait fish. Artificial feed could be a game changer for tuna pens New PN secretary general says government motion on Karol Aquilina akin to 'what Labour did in the 80s' EIA update assesses the impacts of retaining the present location of a tuna pen holding zone, 4.5km from the Rdum il-Madonna cliffs Loading semi-frozen feeding bait into a feeding cage THE government motion condemning the Oppo- sition is akin to what the Labour administration did in the 1980s, Nationalist Party Secretary Gen- eral Charles Bonello said. "For me that motion was a flashback of what La- bour did in the 80s. Maybe in a different way, but that is how Labour acted back then," Bonello told MaltaToday. Sitting down for an interview just days after be- ing confirmed PN secretary general, Bonello was asked about the Opposition's walkout from par- liament on Monday and Tuesday. The House was debating a government motion condemning MP Karol Aquilina's behaviour but before proceedings even started, Opposition lead- er Bernard Grech labelled the motion "fascist" and ordered his MPs to abandon the chamber. Bonello insisted the motion was a "direct attack" on the country's democracy and the highest in- stitution. "Government is sending the message that when it is has the majority, it can bully the minority," he said. Bonello defended the decision by PN MPs to abandon parliament, stating they did so to defend the country's democracy. Questioned on reports by Labour media that the walkout was a compromise following disagree- ment within the PN's parliamentary group on how to vote, Bonello said the Opposition should be judged on its actions. "All our MPs walked out of the House because the parliamentary group did not want to be part of that discussion, which was an attack on parlia- mentary democracy of this country," he insisted. "Judge us by our actions." The full interview with Charles Bonello will be published this Sunday in MaltaToday. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt