ARCHIVED - Calpe plans rally to protest against fish farm

Proposals to extend a fish farm off the coast of Calpe in the Marina Alta comarca, Alicante province, have been met with strong opposition.

A protest against plans to extend and transform the fish farm into an organic production facility will be held in Calpe's Plaza Colon on June 12, at 12 noon.

Various political groups have joined forces to raise their concerns about the potential increase in the number of floating cages off Calpe's coast in the Valencia region, and together with other protestors, will take to the streets to make their feelings known.

Last week, the regional government approved an environmental impact statement in relation to the plans that could see the number of cages increase from 12 to 45 and reach a maximum production capacity of 3,000 tonnes of fish per year.

It was argued that the fish farm is now further from the coast, at a greater depth (between 38 and 46 metres) and no longer affects the colonies of coralline, "a calcareous algae of great environmental value".

But there are still concerns over the impact it may have on water quality, tourism, in particular nautical tourism, and the fishing industry, for which the municipality is renowned.

The Association of Businessmen and Traders of Calpe (AEMCO), and representatives of the fishing sector have also publicly objected to the plans.

IMAGE: Ayuntamiento de Calpe