Earlier this morning, the operators of four tuna fish farms were served with an emergency enforcement order, in a meeting that was held between the Planning Authority, the Environment and Resources Authority and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture with the operators.

The enforcement orders require, that with immediate effect, the operators will comply with all the conditions stipulated in their respective planning permits. This includes both the number of structures and the operations of the fish farms.

The Planning Authority said that by next Monday, the 5th of September, the operators each need to present a method statement on how they will be addressing the illegalities and how they will be removing them within a specified reasonable period.

The Authority said that it made it clear with the operators that the way they are operating their tuna fish farms today is totally unacceptable and negatively impacting the coastal bathing water, which is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Two of the tuna fish farms are located in the north part of the island, close to Comino and is-Sikka l-Bajda, off San Pawl il-Bahar and another two are located off the Marsaxlokk area.

The Authority said that it reserves the right to proceed with direct action if it deems that the operators are not addressing the issue adequately and complying fully with the enforcement orders handed down to them.

"The Planning Authority also reserves the right to withdraw the current permits that each operator today enjoys."

Next week, a revised legal notice will be published which will introduce harsher administrative fines intended for any planning illegalities related to the sea including illegalities in the aquaculture sector. Daily fines will go up to 2000 euro, up to a maximum of 200,000 euro in the aggregate.

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