Sea pollution: some are more equal than others
Following the government’s commitment of addressing ongoing infringements by fish farm operators, Simon Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on Agriculture and Animal Welfare, called for effective and strong action.
“Disrespect towards local legislation including permit conditions by a number of tuna pen operators has been going on for a number of years whilst authorities closed both eyes. As a result a number of beaches ended up contaminated and polluted, depriving locals and tourists alike from enjoying the sea. It was only after a public uproar that Environment Minister Jose Herrera promised legal action.”
“A situation where citizens are deprived from their legal rights such as clean bathing waters for years on end is unacceptable. Authorities are there to protect the environment and citizens’ rights. Instead they often turn a blind eye to such illegalities.” “The emergency enforcement orders and fines are a positive development, but if operators fail to observe the law and permit conditions, authorities should step in and take direct action by removing the illegal cages themselves. Expenses should be paid for by the operators of the illegal fish farms. Further procrastination, when these operators have been benefiting from the ‘fruit’ of their illegalities at the expense of the public is unacceptable”, concluded Simon Galea.
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Tniggis tal-bahar: Nuqqas ta’ infurzar ghad-detriment tac-cittadin
B’riferenza ghall-weghda ricenti tal-Gvern li fl-ahhar se jindirizza l-irregolaritajiet rikorrenti tal-operaturi tal-fish farms, il-Kelliem dwar Agrikoltura u Harsien tal-Annimali ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika, Simon Galea, sejjah ghal azzjoni b’sahhitha u effettiva.
“In-nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn il-legizlazzjoni lokali kif stabbilita mill-awtoritajiet min-naha ta’ numru ta’ operaturi ta’ farms ghat-trobbija tat-tonn ilu jinhass is-snin, waqt li l-awtoritajiet ikkoncernati baqghu jkaxkru saqajhom. Bhala rizultat ta’ dan, numru ta’ bajjiet gew ikkontaminati u b’hekk kemm it-turisti kif ukoll il-Maltin gew imcahhda mill-possibilita’ li jghumu fihom.
Huwa biss wara li qam ghagha kbir fil-pubbliku li l-Ministru tal-Ambjent Jose Herrera wieghed li jiehu azzjoni.” “Sitwazzjonji fejn ic-cittadini huma mcahhda mid-drittijiet legali taghhom – bhal ibhra nodfa – ghal snin shah minghajr ma tittiehed azzjoni hija inaccettabbli. L-aworitajiet qeghdin hemm biex f’kazijiet bhal dawn iharsu l-ambjent u d-drittijiet tac-cittadini u mhux biex jaghlqu ghajnejhom ghal dawn l-illegalitajiet.”
“Huwa tajjeb li hargu ordnijiet ta’ infurzar ta’ emergenza, b’multi kuljum, imma hemm bzonn li jekk l-operaturi ma jnehhux il-gaggeg illegali l-awtoritajiet jiehdu azzjoni diretta malajr ghas-spejjes tal-operaturi. Hemm bzonn li jinghata messagg car u tond li illegaltajiet mhux tollerati,” temm Simon Galea.