Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547581
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS Climate change threatens Rising sea temperatures could alter bluefin tuna migration routes as early as 2030, threatening the mainstay of Malta's aquaculture industry and prompting plans to diversify production and move fish farms further offshore CLIMATE change could threaten Malta's aquaculture industry by altering the Medi- terranean migration routes of Atlantic bluefin tuna as early as 2030, a proposed 10-year strategy warns. The Action Plan for Sustain- able Aquaculture 2026–2036, just issued for public consul- tation, warns that rising tem- peratures could disrupt tuna migration. It also warns that temperature changes could also increase the risks of dis- ease, parasites and fish mor- tality among captive tuna. Malta's industry depends heavily on capturing wild tu- na during their migration and fattening them in offshore cages before exporting them, principally to Japan. The in- dustry is lucrative since the fish is prized in the Japanese market. In response, the govern- ment proposes expanding fish farming further offshore, diversifying into new species while still increasing produc- tion capacity. Tuna's economic vulnerability The climate threat com- pounds the economic vulner- abilities of a sector heavily dependent on Japan, which accounts for 95% of Maltese tuna exports. In 2023, Malta produced al- most 21,000 tonnes of farmed fish worth €199.1 million. Al- though production volumes increased by 15.4%, export revenues fell by €121.31 mil- lion, or 38%, as prices per kilogramme almost halved. Operating costs also in- creased, with intermediate consumption rising by €28.5 million to €266.8 million. Live tuna captures and im- ported baitfish, particularly mackerel, account for around 60% of operating costs. The strategy proposes re- search into artificial tuna feeds to reduce dependence on wild-caught baitfish. Farming further offshore The plan distinguishes be- tween coastal aquaculture within seven nautical miles of shore and open-sea farming beyond that distance. The introduction of Malta's Exclusive Economic Zone Act in 2021 has created opportu- nities for commercial activ- JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Wild bluefin tuna is caught on the high seas as it migrates through the central Mediterranean and caged for fattening before being slaughtered and exported The plan distinguishes between coastal aquaculture within seven nautical miles of shore and open-sea farming beyond that distance Then Foreign Minister Ian Borg visiting the Tokyo fish market in 2022. Japan remains the main export market for Mediterranean bluefin tuna captured by Maltese ranchers