Calpe Town Council has participated in the first Forum of Industrial Fish Farms (Seas of Change) held on the Greek island of Poros, an event in which Calpe has had the opportunity to explain its opposition to the expansion of the fish farm.
It is a forum in which the growing expansion of carnivorous fish farms, especially along the coasts of the European Union countries, has been debated and has brought together activists, scientists, political representatives, and NGOs from four continents and 14 countries.
The councillor for International Promotion, Marco Bittner, has been in charge of explaining the problems that Calpe is experiencing in relation to the expansion of the fish farm, which implies an increase in the number of cages from 12 to 45 and which, according to a municipal report, will have an impact of 450 million euros in losses for the local economy. The mayoress of Calpe, Ana Sala, participated in a video in which she explained that the Calpe town council has lodged an administrative appeal against the decision, the resolution of which is expected shortly.
"The meeting has served to provide the municipality with new scientific and legal tools to prevent the negative impact of the facilities on the residents of Calpe. This forges an international collaboration with various entities and social movements of which Calpe takes part as a member," said the councillor for International Promotion Marco Bittner.
In this conference, held on the basis of the Athens Ocean Conference (Our Ocean 2024), NGOs dedicated to the analysis of the food chain have denounced the fact that, in the breeding of carnivorous fish such as sea bream and sea bass, a greater quantity of fish is used which is suitable for human consumption and cheaper, and which is extracted from the African coasts for the production of fodder, leaving the natives without resources.
In addition, several marine biologists have expressed their concern about the proliferation of genetically manipulated sea bream species by the fish farming industry, which is replacing the native species throughout the Mediterranean. They have also pointed out that eutrophication, the dumping of tons of remains, faeces, and waste from marine farms, together with the warming of Mediterranean waters, are making it possible for toxic algae populations to appear, both for local fauna and for human beings, as the final consumer in the food chain.
On the other hand, many municipalities in the Greek regions, including the island of Poros itself, have pointed to opaque practices on the part of the companies that are installing and expanding industrial fish farms on Greek islands, putting at risk their tourist attraction, which in many cases is the main source of livelihood for these communities.
"It has been a space for reflection on the environmental and social repercussions of industrial fish farms, viable alternatives have been raised, the obligation of corporate responsibility and the demand for more transparency," concluded the councillor form Calpe.