Cirkewwa seabed being surveyed by new group
Nineteen divers from the new group, Declare Cirkewwa a Marine Sanctuary Now, this morning started surveying the seabed of the area using underwater video cameras.
The aim of the survey is to get an estimate of how much of the protected posedonia was growing in the area.
The group also organised a beach clean-up, supported by the local council.
It said that the diving community had been arguing in favour of declaring Cirkewwa a marine sanctuary for the past 25 years. Although, since joining the EU, Cirkewwa became a de facto protected area by way of a law prohibiting all types of fishing around wrecks, divers still reported infringements on a daily basis.
The new group was now calling on the government to declare Cirkewwa a protected area and a no take zone prohibiting all types of fishing from boats, with the exception of shore angling towards the south quay.
It is calling for Administrative Law Enforcement police officers to be stationed on site 24 hours a day to provide a constant, vigilant and proactive enforcement and for the placing of clear signage at and towards the approaches to Cirkewwa declaring the site a protected area and highlighting the fines for infringement.
It also called for site information on flora and fauna to be provided.
5 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
a attard
Sep 6th 2010, 09:55
How about a well managed visitor centre with audio facilities? This can merge the history of the area (Gozo crossings, pirates, the stories of Comino and so on ) with that of the natural environment putting an accent on the marine environment? besides being informative it wilI create a very postive experience for both locals and visitors alike and helps towards awarness of what lies below on the seabed.
Sean Azzopardi
Sep 5th 2010, 23:43
big respect to all who particpated in this survey. I have dived the p-29 wreck at this site for a few years now and had noticed that a rare and unique type of grouper fish had made it a "safe" haven and had actually been signs of it reproducing due to a few smaller new ones popping up every year. After not diving the wreck for 6-7 months this year , i was shocked to see that they had disappeared . These fish are very terittorial fish and usually habit the same area for many many years , so the only expalanation is that they were speared . at the back of my mind i knew that one fine day some disrespectful spear fisherman would hear about this prized fish making the wreck their home,and take the risk to ILLEGALY spear them. This is just like hunting. we need to wake up because one day we will not have anymore of these fish in our seas. This could have been a great opportunity for this fish to continue breeding in a sea that is already lacking its presence. Our seas have to start being taken SERIOUSLY please!
Antonio Anastasi
Sep 6th 2010, 10:30
The groupers were in fact shot some four weeks ago by two spear fishermen using aqualungs. This after they were told it was illegal.
D.Cachia
Sep 5th 2010, 17:51
Very good initiative. I hope the authorities Declare Cirkewwa and other dive sites a Marine Sanctuary. Keep in mind that Malta was voted one of the BEST diving spots IN THE WORLD by the tourists themselves!!! Let's not ruin our reputation!!! Authorities please take note! Well done Antonio!
Alicia Said
Sep 5th 2010, 17:39
I hope that this will push forward the voice of the divers.. Cirkewwa is a prime diving site hence, failure to protect the area (THOUROUGH ENFORCEMENT) will have an impact on the sustainability of the marine life and its constituents which are the main drivers behind diving at Cirkewwa and will inevitably have a negative affect on the economic revenue generated by such activity.