Multiple reports have been shared on social media of sea slime across the Maltese shoreline. Images shared by environmental activists and citizens show sea slime present on beaches and coastlines in areas ranging from Birzebbuga, Marsascala, Kalkara, Sliema and Pembroke.
Writing on social media, environmental activist and The Malta Independent columnist Camilla Appelgren said that the timing of the appearance of this sea slime is "no coincidence" and it coincides with the period that tuna fish in fish farms are given more food for fattening.
She quoted the words of independent consultant Dr Joseph Borg who in August 2016, when similar slime was seen across Maltese shores, said "When the temperature is lowered to feed this to the tuna, all this oil comes out of it. The feed is given in vast quantities. If the slime is a result of this, the situation has to be investigated."
However, she said, since then nothing had been done to rectify this situation.
Furthermore, she said, the slime was a hazard to swimmers and then quoted a dermatologist who had said that if contact is made with the slime it should be washed off as soon as possible with detergent as it may cause skin irritation and even boils.
Questions were sent by this newsroom to the Environment Ministry as to whether the substance had been identified, whether it was coming from fish farms and on what action was being taken to clean the affected areas and prevent such a thing happening. However, no reply had been received at the time of writing.
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