Maltese Fish Farm Operator Shut Down For A Week Over Sea Slime Violations
A routine inspection of a tuna ranch by ERA that took place in August has resulted in a major fish farm operator being temporarily shut down.
In the inspection, the regulator found that the operator was using a type of feed that is a principal cause of the ‘sea-slime’ that has been grabbing people’s attention for a while, particularly during summers.
Sources told the Times of Malta that the company operating the fish farm was given an administrative fine and has been forbidden from operating for a week.
A slimy situation
People have been complaining about sea slime along the coastal areas of Malta for a while now, with many seeing fish farms as the main culprits for the phenomenon and the issue being reported for years.
A spokeswoman of ERA stated that inspectors found that the fish farm being tackled by the regulator was found to be responsible for at least the last two incidents of sea slime that were spotted and reported on.
The spokeswoman continued that “the feeding methods were improved through better thawing procedures” as result of “discussions held between ERA and the tuna farm operators“ which has drastically reduced the “thaw water and fish oils in the surrounding sea”.
Just a few days ago, however, The Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers was reported by the Times to have said sea slime is a natural phenomenon.
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