John Camilleri, Bossley Park, New South Wales, Australia
Filthy pathway at Għajn Tuffieħa beach
Għajn Tuffieha bay is one of the few remaining natural beaches in Malta. Being natural does not mean totally wild, though. In one particular area not far from the beach and close to the lifeguard station, human waste, toilet paper and used tampons litter one of the pathways which lead to the beach.
Flies feeding on this human waste then go and touch bathers with the possibility of serious health consequences! On occasions the stench of urine overwhelms passers-by while the pathway becomes slippery from this waste.
I feel ashamed to walk with tourists in this filth! Is Malta a European nation or a third-world country? Perhaps the Gaia Foundation should put signs that this area is a natural tree fertilisation area?!
Urgent cleaning and the installation of chemical toilets would be appreciated!
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Stephen Asciak
Oct 21st 2010, 07:18
I was at Għajn Tuffieħa beach in September 2008, from reading the post, very little has changed. Yes filth...I am ashamed to see a beautiful place desecrated. To be called the Jewel of the Mediterranean...I seriously question this....If more Maltese left the Island to see other countries, the may be in for a shock, how third world Malta is...The Maltese Government should seriously review its environmental and planning policies, and make Malta the place it should be....The Jewel....Consider action on implementing, clean up programs, provide incentives, introduce environmental rangers....Cleaning Up will bring rewards...more tourists.
Richard Vella
Sep 2nd 2010, 16:12
This filth is partly due that many people are bbq'ing and sleeping on the beach both using camping tents and sleeping bags only. Since the pay by use private toilet is not available at night people are using these pathways as public latrines.
I have seen the water police raiding and fining people for skinny dipping at the unofficial nudist area at this beach. Perhaps this pathway filth is more immoral than skinny dipping and the authorities should take action against what "hurts" most! Most tourists welcome or tolerate naturist beaches but DO NOT welcome filth of this kind!
Franco Farrugia
Sep 1st 2010, 18:05
My two cents' worth to the discussion at hand: the authorities should see to it that there are proper amenities at such beaches - they should not only mark toursits, but all patrons; after all, we are taxpayers and we have to be well served at the beaches, which at the moment, we are not. Public amenities! secondly, however, we have to ensure that we, the patrons, respect the beaches and keep the areas clean. That is why there should be special wardens to ensure that the law and the regulations governing such beaches, are respected. The beach furniture should also be available so that people needing to throw away things are not expected to walk miles in the sand in order to dispose of that odd piece of paper.
C Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 13:14
It's a shame and a real lack of basic education when local Maltese treat their own country in this way. Most of this type of abuse is carried out by locals because it is endemic in their culture.
Just a couple of days ago I saw one of the regular based in Spinola Bay empty a plastic crate full of small dead fish and several plastic bottles straight into the water by the slipway below Paparazzi, even though there were several bins within a few metres.. Quite unbelievable. On other occasions, his colleagues have washed out diesel from their terribly maintained boast into the same are of sea.
N.Lawrence
Sep 1st 2010, 13:13
Errrr- Brand Malta, anyone?
victor pulis
Sep 1st 2010, 11:43
The pathway leading down to the beach is not the only filthy spot at Ghajn Tuffieha. The sand itself is littered with cigarette ends, drinking straws, wine corks, twigs, sea weed, ashes from BBQs and rocks. This is one of the most beautiful natural bays in Malta but unfortunately it cannot be used for political propaganda like St. George's bay and the perched beach. Now it has been said that the concrete steps are going to be replaed with wooden ones. First let us put the beach in order, then we can invite guests to visit.
c smith
Sep 1st 2010, 11:38
I am sure i was there the day this picture was taken a couple of weeks back! The whole pathway was full of toilet paper with brown smears on it. It wasnt just one spot it was everywhere as well as condoms and other waste. It was absolutely disgusting!!
But lets face it, its not only certain places that are filthy the whole of Malta is one big rubbish dump. I live in tower rd but our entrance is in a side street and everyday it is so filthy. I have family coming and i am actually planning on cleaning up the road myself before i go fetch them from the airport to avoid embarrasment when they arrive.
K.Anastasi
Sep 1st 2010, 09:30
Beach facilities leave a lot to be desired in Malta, but its not only the government that needs to pull its socks up. Many Maltese just don't care where they litter, I constantly witness this day in day out, and are some tourists too, especially the students.