Facing up to fish farms
CALPE councillor for international promotion, Marco Bittner explained the problems the town is experiencing with the expansion of fish farms along its coastline, at the first Forum on Industrial Fish Farms (Seas of Change) held on the Greek island of Poros.
This forum, which discussed the proliferation of carnivorous fish farms, especially along the coasts of European Union countries, brought together activists, scientists, politicians and NGOs from four continents and 14 countries.
Companies have applied to increase the number of cages from 12 to 45 off Calpe’s coast.
Mayoress, Ana Sala took part in a video in which she explained that Calpe town council had lodged an administrative appeal against the
decision and expected to hear the outcome shortly.
“The purpose of the meeting was to provide the town council with new scientific and legal tools to prevent the negative impact of the facilities on the inhabitants of
Calpe,” said Sr Bittner.
At the conference, NGOs involved in the analysis of the food chain denounced the fact that the farming of carnivorous fish such as sea bream and sea bass uses a greater quantity of fish suitable for human consumption, which are cheaper and taken from the African coasts for the production of fish feed, leaving the local population without resources.
In addition, several marine biologists expressed concern about the proliferation of genetically modified sea bream species by the fish farming industry, which are replacing native species throughout the Mediterranean.
They have also pointed out that eutrophication, the dumping of tonnes of leftovers, faeces and waste from fish farms, together with the warming of Mediterranean waters, is leading to the appearance of toxic algal blooms, which are harmful both to local fauna and to humans as the final consumers in the food chain.
“It has been a space for reflection on the environmental and social impact of industrial fish farms, for the presentation of viable alternatives, the obligation of corporate responsibility and the demand for greater transparency,” concludedthe councillor.