Calls are growing for the Dwejra action plan to finally be implemented and enforced after a diver photographed a 70-metre fishing net near the Azure Window in Gozo.

Neil Meston came across the trammel net several weeks ago and sent the photos to The Sunday Times of Malta.

It was laid between the Blue Hole and the Azure Window in an area that is very popular with divers.

The British diver said it is not the first time he has seen such nets in the area.

“It depends on the currents and where the fish are feeding. I expect to see them again in future,” he said.

Trammel nets are designed to trap everything and pose what divers say is a serious threat to their safety as they can become entangled.

Marine biologist Alan Deidun condemned the use of nets at Dwejra and called on the Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) to “get serious” about Marine Protected Areas.

The Action Plan for the Dwejra Area was approved in 2005 but has still not been put into practice, Dr Deidun pointed out.

It bans the use of such nets and all other types of commercial fishing in the core of the Marine Protected Area.

“Mepa, as the manager and promoter of Marine Protected Areas, should make its voice heard so that such practices stop and MPAs do not exist on paper only,” Dr Deidun said.

“Let’s get serious about MPAs, once and for all, and not pump millions into management plans and then nothing’s done concretely in the field,” he added.

A Mepa spokesman said it was investigating the use of trammel nets in the area.