Fighting marine sludge: Proactive solutions for cleaner seas
During this past month, a new and innovative trial project was underway within the tuna farms of Malta. The aim of this initiative is to utilize a new type of feed, which helps in the reduction waste and sludge around the farms, while the quality of the tuna product does not decrease. The early results are very promising indeed, but the final results will only be confirmed after an examination of the fish harvested at the end of the breeding season later this year.
It was early this week that I visited one of these tuna farms where this pilot project is ongoing. I followed closely the work being done by local and international research companies in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
At present, the main feed source used in tuna farms consists of smaller bait fish. While it possesses many benefits, the main disadvantage of this type of feed is the sludge that comes out of the feeding process, as well as its effect on the surrounding marine environment together with ‘ several logistical problems.
This new initiative utilizes a specially manufactured feed that is made from sustainable and renewable ingredients, ensuring year-round availability, without compromising cost or production efficiency and reducing residual waste from the whole process.
Previous trials in countries such as Mexico, Panama and Spain have led to significant developments in the field, and I hope that this pilot project in Malta will have similar results.
Thanks to this new stuff, we hope to go beyond simply preventing silt in our waters, to eradicating it completely. This feed is estimated to be at least three times more cost-efficient than the bait fish currently being used, allowing more logistical and financial flexibility for private operators, and therefore better economic efficiency as well as environmental quality. The quality of this manufactured feed will also help operators address the specific needs of tuna, in terms of vitamin and nutrient intake as well as fat content.
Other initiatives are also underway in this industry, where a tuna by-products factory will start operating during the last quarter of this year, and will convert by-products from the processing of tuna into ground fish and fish oil. Companies are also looking for more efficient ways to dissolve their bait fish in order to maintain higher quality and release less oil when fed to tuna.
The Government fully intends to ensure cleaner seas for all of us, and will continue to work hand in hand with all interested parties. This is why the Government, during the last few years, has focused on the monitoring of these fish farms, and ways to improve the surrounding marine environment. The Government will continue to pursue its goals for the development of sustainable aquaculture while preserving the marine ecology in our waters for generations to come.
All of the above initiatives are being undertaken, in pursuit of a common goal, with more environmentally friendly aquaculture projects in the pipeline. The latest economic survey indicated how the total production of the aquaculture and tuna farming industry, despite the impacts of Covid-19, grew by €2.4 million to a total of €178.7 million from the previous year. Current indications within the industry project further growth in the next few years. Apart from the obvious economic impact, we cannot underestimate how important this sector is to ensure a sustainable food supply.
We all remember a small number of incidents as reported in the local media, where part of the sludge coming from these fish farms escaped and spread towards our boats and shores. We duly note that the number of similar incidents during the last few years has been drastically reduced, thanks to the numerous investments made by the Government, and the private sector.
In addition, over the years this sector has shown the crucial need for continuous scientific research and the strengthening of public-private partnerships, for the benefit of the economy and the surrounding environment in which we live. The government will strive to make these partnerships stronger, with future initiatives planned so that these developments can bear fruit and leave the desired positive impacts on our community, and on the whole country.
Alicia Bugeja Said is the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture
and Animal Welfare