Culture change needed for more order at Ghadira

Ghadira Bay in Mellieha looks shipshape since new beach management rules came into force seven weeks ago, though it will take much more to rein in the lido operators.

During a visit to the beach yesterday morning it was easy to notice more cleanliness, new bins and better order, but a few lido operators have persisted in occupying the shoreline with beach beds and umbrellas beyond their designated area.

"We are patrolling the beaches and asking operators to move back their beach paraphernalia.

"The problem is the second we turn our backs, they're back in the same spot," said beach supervisor Carmel Zammit.

He admitted that the situation had improved tremendously, but it would take a huge culture change for a few operators, who controlled the beach for years, to stop flouting the law.

For years, umbrella wars had reigned at the most popular sandy beach as operators encroached beyond their footprint and bathers fought to secure the best spot by the sea.

In a bid to instil some semblance of order, the Malta Tourism Authority has invested over Lm30,000 (€69,881.20) and introduced new rules to bring the beach to Blue Flag standards.

The impact of the beach management rules are evident and people feel safer knowing there are lifeguards on site and a beach manager.

On weekends, Mr Zammit has four people (two on weekdays) to clean the beach regularly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 80 new bins have been installed, with another 20 specifically for barbecues.

"What upsets us is the amount of rubbish Maltese and foreigners leave lying about.

"We find glass, food, and even condoms, tampons, and pads lying around most mornings.

"I don't know why most host families prepare a packed lunch for students, because most of them throw it away," Mr Zammit said.

He added that, sometimes, his employees had to remove sacks of wood people leave behind from barbecues and bamboo sticks cut from across the road, used to start fires.

While keeping the beach clean is a full-time job, the hardest part is ensuring lido operators stay within their permitted area of 31 by 12 metres.

No operator was allowed to set up unused beach beds and umbrellas beyond their footprint, unless specifically asked by a bather. "We waste a lot of time arguing and going to and fro to check everyone is abiding by the law, but there is still need for supervision and sometimes we have to bring in the police. Having said that, there has been a great improvement," Mr Zammit said.

A number of families who spoke to The Times agreed the situation had improved and nobody had stopped them from setting up their umbrella.

A family from Mosta said that while the operators tended to argue between themselves, they were left in peace.

Another couple from Attard said that when they found empty beach beds set up in the spot they wanted, they simply moved them.

"You come here to relax, not to argue. Constant supervision is crucial," they insisted.

One operator, Marthese Caruana, who runs the Marea Beach Club, said the regulations were not fair.

"I admit that today we did set up a few beach beds out of our footprint, but in these scorching temperatures it's exhausting to be lugging beach furniture at noon," she said.

She complained that the regulations favoured the Maltese who took up the shoreline, leaving them little space to rent out beach beds and umbrellas to tourists who preferred a spot next to the sea.

Martin Cini, from the San Remo Beach Club, said the footprint, which could take 80 beach beds, was too small especially on weekends when the demand was for about 250.

"We don't have problems making way for those who come here with their umbrella and we even help them set it up.

"We don't mind regulations, but certain things have to be kept in mind," he said.

More than three quarters of the Maltese who go there opt to rent out an umbrella and beach bed - which cost about 75c (€1.75) and Lm1.50 (€3.49) respectively - and the majority were happy with the service, he said.

Contacted yesterday Joe Dalmas, from the Tourism Ministry's beach cleaning section, said his people were trying hard to instil order without alienating anybody.

"However, too many people are being selfish. Everyone - both bathers and lido operators - has to keep in mind that nobody can set up beach furniture right on the shoreline. There has to be a space of three to four metres, but everybody conveniently ignores this," he said.

"While we tried to use common sense at first and avoided coming down heavily, if things don't change we will be taking action," he added.

The first step is that by next week the MTA will be closing down establishments if lido operators fail to pay their permits.

"Boundaries cannot continue being pushed."