Malta. Tuna farms aim for growth – It will have to wait until 19 January to find out if companies AJD Tuna and Malta Mariculture will receive permits to set up two tuna farms off the north coast of Malta.
The aquaculture area, 4.6km from Qala, could host two tuna pens owned by companies AJD Tuna and Malta Mariculture, it will determine in a public hearing in the second half of the month.
Previously located in St Paul’s Bay and off the coast of Comino, the cages had already been relocated to a nearby area 7.6 km off Qala in 2017 to minimize impact on the coast after their permits had been revoked for environmental violations.
Current plans will locate the new fish farming area off Qala and 5.7 km from Mellieħa, within the limits of an agreement between the Environment and Resources Authority and the Department of Fisheries.
According to the latest proposal, the cages will be located in the northern part of Malta dedicated to aquaculture, in line with the country’s policy.
The pens will house a total biomass of 6,000 tonnes of tuna, but the amount of cages may vary according to ICCAT caging requirements.
The two companies, however, have Department of Fisheries permits to house 3,300 tonnes in the two pens, meaning that the new area will accommodate future tuna growth, also dictated by ICCAT quotas.
Malta. Tuna farms aim for growth
