Fishing nets over the Rozi

Last Thursday week, both local and tourist divers looked on in horror and frustration as fishermen cast nets (pariti) from their boat over the wreck of the Rozi at Cirkewwa, one of our prime dive sites.

This area has already been seriously degraded by the construction work on the new ferry terminal. Over the past years local and foreign divers have been feeding the fish on the Rozi in an attempt to regenerate marine life.

This is now showing results and, since last summer, many divers have enjoyed watching not only the new fish life but also the star attraction, a beautiful yellow seahorse which has made the area around the Rozi its home.

There are now more than 40 dive centres licensed by the MTA, probably employing over 150 people. This selfish and greedy action may have brought short-term and minimal gain to a couple of fishermen but has directly affected the livelihood of over 150. This should not be seen as a reflection on all fishermen, with whom the divers have a good rapport. Most fishermen do understand the importance of such sites and in the main respect them.

Diving, like most tourism sections, is in decline and has to compete with destinations that have an abundance of sea life as well as respect for the environment. We desperately need every little attraction we have and significant funds are spent every year to maintain and increase this.

I ask the fishermen involved to wake up to what they have done and ensure this will never happen again.