Safeguarding the marine environment

Alternattiva Demokratika has welcomed the government's commitment to designate a marine conservation area next year, adding that, however, Malta has a long way to go to safeaguard its marine environment.

"AD welcomes the fact that a draft guideline document on how to protect and manage marine conservation areas is being passed to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board, to be discussed and approved by the end of this year.

"We also welcome a partnership programme between the MEPA, local councils and NGOs, which has identified 20 environmental improvement projects, four of which relate to marine sites, one involving the creation of a pilot artificial reef and the other three aimed at eventually designating marine protected areas in Cirkewwa, Comino and Delimara.

"However, it is very important that these developments be carried out in a timely manner, something that AD will help ensure once elected to parliament. AD also believes that marine conservation areas should be declared immediately to avoid further unsustainable development and dumping. One important step in this direction would be the elimination of the discharge of sewage into the sea which is causing irreparable damage to marine life and habitat."