It has been a good 12 years since the first artificial wreck was created by the scuttling at Ix-Xatt l-Aħmar in Gozo of the MV Xlendi, and another three years since the scuttling of the MV Karwela and MV Cominoland at the same site.

These artificial wrecks are proving to be an added attraction to divers in Gozo, which is considered to be one of the prime diving locations in Europe. Apart from being popular with divers these wrecks attract a large number of fish and other marine creatures, so they can also be used for scientific research.

Nearly all scientific studies indicate an increase in marine life populations at these sites, although little is known about the actual change in composition of ecosystems, and how the balance of the communities within the ecosystems shifts.

Also it is still an open question whether artificial reefs increase the overall population of marine species or merely provide the refuge for marine life in the area to concentrate.

Unfortunately, as far as I know, the scientific potential of these artificial reefs has not been exploited. When these wrecks were created, a management plan was supposed to be proposed and implemented later on. Are these reefs being scientifically monitored?

They are now quite established and one assumes that if they are studied they can contribute to more conclusive studies and also to international symposiums and workshops held on this topic.

Since these reefs were co-financed by EU funds to boost dive tourism in Gozo I hope that whoever drew up the master plan for the diving industry included a scientific study/monitoring of these reefs as part of a general plan for their management, which should also include safety measures to prevent accidents over these wrecks.

Originally the Malta Maritime Authority had requested that marker buoys be placed above these wrecks to prevent vessels from mooring on them. I do not know why these flashing marker buoys have never been set up.

Another safety measure is that the exact sinking location of these wrecks should have been submitted to the MMA so that the wreckage location will be marked on new navigation maps of the Maltese Islands.

Sometimes there are conflicting interests of recreational diving, other underwater activities and marine conservation. Something needs to be done to reconcile these various interests.

I suggest that these special diving sites be monitored scientifically to observe and record any change in marine communities and ecosystems at the sites, as well as sea water quality. This continuous monitoring can measure the effect of these artificial reefs on local flora and fauna.

This monitoring can also provide information or can be part of the master plan about the Gozo coastal zone which is also in the pipeline. The study can then form the basis for decisions to manage the coastal zone.

I hope that these thoughts will be given due consideration, as in my opinion this is a matter of high priority as regards our sea environment.