Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/838705
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2017 News PAUL COCKS BIRDLIFE Malta has condemned the decision of the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) and the Planning Authority (PA), approving the relocation of tuna fish farming cages from an area close to Comino to a new site by l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa. The NGO said that the authori- ties failed to request the appropri- ate assessment, mandatory under the European Habitats Directive, before taking their decision. BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sul- tana told MaltaToday the NGO was concerned that this decision could set a precedent, where de- cisions for temporary solutions could be used to do away with the need for adequate – and obliga- tory – studies and assessments. "While BirdLife Malta acknowl- edges the need to relocate fish farms to cause less pollution to beaches – a phenomenon which has been impacting water qual- ity in various beaches and marine ecosystems – the application ap- proved on Thursday did not carry the necessary prerequisites of siting such developments within marine Natura 2000 sites," Bird- Life Malta said. "In turn, the approval actu- ally sanctioned an increase in the number of fish cages (from four to six) than what was originally per- mitted at Comino." The application in question re- lates to a temporary relocation of tuna pens from the south Comino channel to a site approximately 6km offshore near Sikka l-Bajda, until a north aquaculture zone is set up by the Department of Fish- eries. The chosen location is within two designated marine Natura 2000 sites which qualify as both a marine Special Protection Area (marine SPA) for seabirds under the Birds Directive, and as a ma- rine Special Area of Conservation (marine SAC) under the Habitats Directive. Article 6 (4) of the Habitats Di- rective states that Natura 2000 sites require specific conservation measures and if plans or projects do not contribute to the conserva- tion objectives of the site, they will be subjected to an Appropriate Assessment of their implications for the site in question. Plans can be approved only after it is ascer- tained that these will not adversely affect the integrity of the site con- cerned, and, if appropriate, after having obtained the opinion of the general public. BirdLife Malta argued that in this week's approval, ERA and PA did not follow this directive when they did not demand any impact assessment of the proposed devel- opment. In fact, according to ERA, the proposal did not qualify for the need to have an Environmental Impact Assessment or Appropriate Assessment, because the reloca- tion was just a temporary two-year solution. Sultana said that as a marine SPA site, any extraordinary activity was meant to be evaluated and assessed to ensure it did not damage the site. "That was the reasoning behind the obligatory assessment," he said. "The study would also identify and other possible alternate sites that could be less damaged by the ac- tivity, even if temporary." BirdLife Malta drew compari- sons to the proposed erection of wind turbines, when at the time the authorities scrutinised the ar- eas. "This time round, ERA and PA have not raised similar concerns or objectives," it said. "In the end it is unclear what permit conditions have been im- posed on the developer to ensure that environmental impacts are contained, and that the developer complies to permitting condi- tions." BirdLife Malta insisted that con- ditions should be made public. #startsavingnow 3.25% REGULAR BONUS DECLARED FOR 2016 A SECURE, TAX-EFFICIENT * AND RELIABLE WAY TO SAVE You've heard it over and over and deep down you know it's true - saving and doing so as soon as possible can make a huge difference to your future well- being. We're here to support you through attractive and flexible savings solutions that can be tailored to help you reach your goals. Let's start saving together for your brighter future. For more information on our range of Savings Plans call MAPFRE MSV Life on freephone 8007 2220, visit www.msvlife.com, contact any of our Tied Insurance Intermediaries or visit any branch of Bank of Valletta or APS Bank. *Returns from Investments in With Profits are free from tax in the hands of the policy owner according to current legislation. Investment returns can go down as well as up and the past is not necessarily a guide to future performance. MAPFRE MSV Life p.l.c. is authorised by the Malta Financial Ser vices Authority to carr y on long term business under the Insurance Business Act 1998. COM MSV100417 Authorities 'failed' to request relevant studies before approving tuna cages relocation Tuna fish farming cages were moved from an area close to Comino to a new site by l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha.