ARCHIVED - Calpe steps up its fight against fish farm extension with a protest on May 29
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
Calpe Town Hall is planning a public protest after an appeal against the expansion of a controversial fish farm was met with silence by the regional government
Ongoing opposition to the Valencia Government's controversial decision to authorise the expansion of a fish farm off the coast of Calpe has prompted a demonstration on May 29.
But despite lodging an appeal in April, the Town Hall has heard nothing from the government, and "given the lack of response" and the fact that the installation of additional cages off the coast has already begun, a protest is now planned.
The Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries granted authorisation for the expansion of the fish farm by 45 floating cages which will make it significantly larger than the current one.
The green light means the fish farm will potentially produce 3,000 tonnes of fish each year, and there are grave concerns about the impact on the local marine environment, the fishing industry and tourism.
Other main concerns include the fact the Environmental Impact Study of Consellería lacks the study of viable alternatives required by law; that the Environmental Impact Statement was resolved out of time; the existence of a Public Participation Plan has not been accredited in accordance with the Law of Territorial Planning, Urbanism and Landscape; and the impact the installation would lead to local economy losses of an estimated 450 million euros.
"Despite the fact that our reports and appeal question the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the activity of the fish farm, the government continues to ignore us and still does not understand the mammoth losses that this installation will mean for the local economy and the environmental damage it entails.," said Calpe Mayor, Ana Sala, adding: "We will continue to insist that the expansion of the fish farm is an aberration and we will continue to ask the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to reverse the authorisation".
The protest will be held at 12 noon in the fishing port and the public are invited to participate in a demonstration walk between the fish market and the breakwater.
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