In light of the recent approval to double the size of an existing tuna farm in the North West coast of Malta, AD stated that government policy is only there to protect big business interests.
Mellieha Local Council candidate Luke Caruana said: “The Planning Authority’s approval to extend the current tuna farm comes without any surprise as current policy is only there to accommodate the interests of the few. The authorities have not only failed to protect our waters from further pollution derived from fish farms but they are now allowing them to extend their activity”.
Caruana continued: “Our coast is practically the only real big open space we have but the Authorities seem reluctant to act as it should. They prefer to let big business to profit from our resources, even when it is evidently detrimental to our quality of life. The common people will again have to suffer the consequences of this laissez-faire attitude.”
Daniel Desira, AD Marsaskala Local Council candidate concluded: “Such policy is also hurtful to the tourism industry, but also to the wellbeing of residents who have a right to enjoy clean seas. Marsaskala residents know the effects of tuna farms on the sea. Governments have always protected big business interests to the detriment of people. Artisanal fishermen are also affected badly by the mega-tuna ranching industry.”
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Rziezet tat-Tonn: Il-politika tal-gvern qiegħda hemm biss biex takkomoda l-interessi kummerċjali kbar
Fid-dawl tal-approvazzjoni riċenti biex jirdoppja d-daqs ta’ razzett eżistenti tat-tonn fil-kosta tal-Majjistral ta’ Malta, AD iddikjarat li l-politika tal-Gvern qegħda hemm biss biex tipproteġi l-interessi kummerċjali kbar.
Il-kandidat għall-Kunsill Lokali tal-Mellieħa Luke Caruana qal: “L-approvazzjoni ta’ l-Awtorità ta’ l-Ippjanar biex testendi r-razzett attwali tat-tonn toħroġ mingħajr ebda sorpriża peress li l-politika attwali qiegħda hemm biss biex takkomoda l-interessi tal-ftit. L-awtoritajiet mhux biss naqsu li jipproteġu l-ibħra tagħna minn iktar tniġġis li ġej mill-irziezet tal-ħut iżda issa qegħdin jippermettulhom li jestendu l-attività tagħhom”.
Caruana kompla: “Il-kosta tagħna hija prattikament l-uniku spazju miftuħ li għandna iżda l-Awtoritajiet mhux qed jieħdu azzjoni kif suppost. Qed jippreferu li jħallu lin-negozji l-kbar jisfruttaw ir-riżorsi tagħna, anke meta huwa evidentement ta’ detriment għall-kwalità tal-ħajja tagħna. Il-poplu se jerġa’ jkollu jsofri l-konsegwenzi ta’ din l-attitudni.”
Il-kandidat ta’ AD għall-Kunsill Lokali ta’ Marsaskala Daniel Desira qal: “Din it-tip ta’ politika hija ta’ ħsara mhux biss għall-industrija tat-Turiżmu, imma speċjalment ghar-residenti li jispiċċaw ma jistgħux igawdu baħar nadif. In-nies ta’ Marsaskala taf sew bil-problemi li joħolqu rzierzet tat-tonn, kemm minħabba in-numru ta’ gaġeġ, kif ukoll minħabba li jitpoġġew viċin wisq ix-xatt. L-ewwel kunsiderazzjoni tal-Gvern għandha tkun ibħra nodfa għan-nies, pero gvern wara ieħor ipprefera jipproteġi l-interessi tal-barunijiet tat-tonn. Biex ma nsemmux l-effetti fuq is-sajd artiġjanali ta’ dawn l-irziezet.”
