The Ħal Far facility recycles tuna into products like oil which can be used for animal and fish feed.

Previously the head, spine and tail were thrown out at sea around 11 nautical miles off the coast with the approval of authorities.

Since the project came into effect, residents and workers around Birżebbuġa, Bengħajsa and Ħal Far have been plagued by an intolerable smell and sewage leaks forcing them to live in “extremely dire conditions”.

Roads in Birżebuġġa have recently been flooded with fish remains and the subsequent stench has made “life miserable for the people having to live with it”, according to the organisations.

They further expressed appreciation toward the Birżebuġġa local council for attempting to quell the problem.

Last month, residents banded together with the local council and complained about the stench emanating from the facility. While the plant dismissed the claims, ERA said it began investigations into the odour and assured that a series of monitoring inspections were being carried out.

However, the organisations insist that the action taken by the authorities is still insufficient.

Therefore, they are calling for the immediate suspension of operations at the plant and insist it is back in action only when it can eradicate the odour pollution it is currently emitting.

“The profits of the tuna industry can never come before the health and safety of residents and the environments in which they live.”

The recycling plant is a project backed by some of the biggest names in the industry, namely Azzopardi Fisheries, Malta Fish Farming and Fish and Fish. Meanwhile, its owned by Aquaculture Resources Ltd.

This is the third time that this project has encountered backlash in just two months. A few days before ERA claimed to be conducting investigations into the odour, allegations of the plant dumping fish silage into Wied Żnuber caused Moviment Graffitti to speak out and condemn the action.

Do you think the recycling project should be suspended?