Demonstrators demand immediate closure of Ħal Far tuna recycling plant
Over a hundred protestors on Saturday demanded the immediate closure of Aquaculture Resources Limited’s tuna recycling plant, which Birżebbuġa residents say has brought an “unbearable stench” to the southern seaside village.
The plant turning tuna bits into fish feed and fish oil opened in October. Since then Birżebuġġa residents have complained of an unbearable stench.
Despite this, Aquaculture Resources Limited CEO Charlon Gouder has denied that any odours are originating from the tuna plant and invited protesters to come and smell for themselves.
Protestors met in the parish square before marching on Photo: Johnathan Borg
Residents and activists from Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa and Moviment Graffitti gathered on Saturday to demand immediate action to end the issue.
Protest speakers and attendees said that the stench is the cherry on the cake for a village which has always bore the brunt of progress.
“You have choked us with the airport, the freeport, the power station, the shell ship refuelling bridge, and now with the tuna plant,” Raffaella Baldacchino, a young resident, and engineering student said to the crowd.
“Is it too much to ask for clean air, or is that...