Author mourns loss of posidonia meadows

The construction of ports and marinas with repeated use of anchors and higher local pollution have led to the loss of many posidonia meadows, according to author Lawson Wood.

Lawson's colourful new book entitled 'Sea Fishes and Invertebrates of the Maltese Islands and the Mediterranean Sea' has just been published by Progress Press.

Posidonia is found off all Mediterranean coasts down to about 40 metres. A flowering plant, the posidonia is home to myriad marine creatures and an important fishing hatchery, the plants actually anchoring the seabed.

The posidonia grows only three centimetres a year. It would take 3,000 years to replace the vast meadows of posidonia that have been lost owing to the construction of coastal marinas, Lawson writes.

Lawson laments the decimation of the grouper population by spear fishermen, and says Malta and Gozo are among the countries that have suffered most because of this indiscriminate killing.

Lawson highlights a number of commercial activities that are proving harmful to the Mediterranean, including aquaculture that has grown alarmingly.

"Some fish farms require huge amounts of fish meal, subsequently contaminating the surrounding seas with nutrient-rich waste products...

"Thankfully, many countries now accept that a successful tourist industry relies on strict conservation policies and the protection of natural wetlands and fisheries.

"For this industry to succeed and prosper, tourists have to be aware of the impact which even they can make on small areas...

"Membership of conservation agencies is a clear step into the understanding and protection of the marine habitats."

The colour photographs are also by Lawson, who is an award winning underwater photographer. He is the founder of the first marine reserve in Scotland and a founder member of the Marine Conservation Society.

Lawson was the first person to become a fellow of both the Royal Photographic Society and the British Institute of Professional Photographers solely for underwater photography.

The book includes 300 full-colour photographs for easy identification of key species found in the Mediterranean and details 289 species of fish, corals and other invertebrates.

"Sea Fishes and Invertebrates of the Maltese Islands and the Mediterranean Sea" is worth its weight in gold for divers, snorkellers and underwater photographers.