Sea slime is back: sludge spotted across east coast

Swimmers on the Maltese east coast were in for a sticky surprise on Friday and Saturday, finding the sea contaminated with a sludge-like substance. 

Sea sludge was spotted at bays in Pembroke, Balluta, and Exiles, putting to end to many would-be bathers' swimming plans.

The sludge is usually linked to offshore fish farms and the oily feed they use.

A spokesperson for Malta's fish farming lobby acknowledged that the slime spotted on Friday “may have a fish oil component” to it.

Charlon Gouder, who serves as CEO of the Malta Federation for Aquaculture Producers, said that the slime “formed following mixing with other substances present in coastal waters including fuel oils and other chemicals present in the seawater”.

Gouder suggested that the slime could also have been caused by dead tuna fish that was illegally caught and dumped by fishermen who feared getting caught.

Fish farm operators were ordered not to feed: reports

Sources with knowledge of the sector told Times of Malta that fish farm operators were instructed by the environmental regulator this week not to feed their fish, due to strong sea currents.

This weekend’s sludge could be an indication that the ERA order was...