Marina in St Paul's Bay

May I suggest that the Malta Maritime Authority and/or the ministry concerned get in touch with the St Paul's Bay Local Council (June 27) and the St Paul's Socio-Cultural Institute of St Paul's Bay (June 22) to discuss the proposed boat marina at St Paul's Bay.

The present state of affairs is unacceptable to all concerned, whether they are residents, swimmers or boat owners. On the Xemxija side where the "boathouses" are located, swimmers and boaters have to take care to avoid each other.

The concrete "beach" is taken up by many boat-trailers and odds and ends left there by the tuna fishermen.

The other side at il-Veċċja is in a worse state, starting with the ubiquitous dog excrement, a canister or two of burnt oil, empty paint pots, a few dilapidated boats taking up precious space and large rusting trailers blocking the slipway in part of the area, not to mention the constant seepage of contaminated water near the small slipway and slicks of petrol and oil in the water of the anchorage.

The building of a yacht marina in this locality is now overdue. But the builders need to consider and accommodate the needs of those who (i) have for ages used parts of the bay for swimming, (ii) have traditionally moored their small boats there, or (iii) derive their livelihood from full-time fishing and tourism-oriented activities.

The importance of the local culture and traditions of the users of the locality must be respected. This means that the marina developers as well as whoever will manage it must not be allowed to ride roughshod over the interests of the people.

The ministry concerned and the Malta Maritime Authority would do well to consult the St Paul's Bay Local Council and other interested parties in order to ensure that the interests of all the locals, the boat owners and the general public are catered for.

Consultation should be the first step. The local council is rightly concerned about car parking, alternative boat-moorings and swimmer zones, and the building of a marina should be conditional on a mutual agreement that settles these concerns satisfactorily.