Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/807528
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 2017 News 7 planned stairway dence without him being informed of the proposed plan. Another resident insisted that the construction of the stairs is neces- sary as construction works in the area are already obstructing access along Parisio street, obliging resi- dents to use Triq Gianni Bencini which is a very steep hill. Another resident insisted that a narrow pas- sage way is no substitute for a pub- lic stairway, which can be adorned with trees. relocation of Tuna pens Authority revoked ten permits for the four existing operators following extensive complaints of oily scum in coastal waters and due to various illegalities re- lated to the siting and number of cages. However, the PA allowed the operators to relocate their operations to alternative suitable aquaculture zones located further offshore. The Authority also imposed a timeframe for the relocation, which has to start before the 2017 summer season. Cages, moor- ings, chains and other tackle are to be removed from the current farming locations by the end of May 2017. Two of the operators that op- erated off Marsaskala and Mar- saxlokk, respectively, have since obtained concessions to operate within the aqua culture zone, which had already been approved in the south of Malta. But this site does not have enough space for the fish farms already located in the north of Malta. Yet despite the rigid timeframes, it is highly improbably that an al- ternative site will be found for these fish farms. "There currently is no specific site for the North Aquaculture Zone. What we have is a search area, which was studied through remote sensing. The EIA might have to look at other sites outside of this location and hence the fi- nal location for the NAZ will be determined through the EIA pro- cess", ADI consultants conclude in the Project Development State- ment presented to the PA. The Bathymetric survey was originally been commissioned by AJD Tuna Ltd as part of their ap- plication to relocate their farms from St Paul's Bay and Comino. Subsequently ERA informed AJD Tuna Ltd that they could not en- tertain an application for relo- cation unless this is to an estab- lished Aquaculture Zone. Since all such zones are owned by the Department of Fisheries, an ap- plication to create such a zone was subsequently presented by the department. How to avoid the oily slick The most visible and notorious environmental impact from tuna farms is the oily slick that is visible at the surface of the sea for several miles depending on sea currents and wind direction. The presence of sulphur is responsible for the bad smells. The oily slick consists of a combination of fish oils, melting ice, body fluids, and fish mucus released from the baitfish as it thaws in the feeding cage. It takes four days for the slick to decompose. Since feeding takes place twice daily, this slick is released once in the morning and once in the afternoon from each tuna cage. Some operators use a skimmer to collect as much of this oily slick as possible before it leaves the site but this system is not completely effective. The PDS concludes "relocating existing tuna farms to a location further offshore will help to reduce the impact of this discharge on inshore locations and uses". Still under unfavourable sea current conditions, the slick can still reach the shore if not collected. The use of skimmers, even if not 100% effective is recommended. But while oily slick is the most visible environmental threat, tuna pens also have a more long-term environmental impact. Uneaten feed passes through the net and settles on the seabed, which, can result in an accumulation of organic carbon and nitrogen in the sediment beneath the cages or in the direction of the prevailing currents. Fish faeces release ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate in soluble form. These nutrients contribute to the overgrowth of marine plants and algae. Blood discharged in to the sea as a result of the slaughter of tunas may also attract predators like sharks. But to date there has been no evidence that this activity attracts sharks or other predators. "Indeed, no such occurrences have been reported in the 16 years since the first tuna farm was set up locally," the PDS states. Tuna farming operations also have a toll on the wider fish populations. While tuna populations are regulated very closely by ICCAT, which adjusts fishing quotas regularly to maintain the population levels no such regulations exist on the capture of the baitfish species, and the impact of this fishery can be substantial on the fish stocks in question. 'There currently is no specific site for the North Aquaculture Zone'