Mepa said today that it had removed a large illegal 'engineered dumping site', along the coast between Marsascala and Xghajra.

Its said its inspectors had unearthed waterproof membrane which was placed under the dumped material, leading them to believe that this illegal dumping activity was carried out with the intention of creating a series of rainwater pools  to attract migrating birds.

The dumped material stretched over half a tumulo on a site known for its pristine maritime garigue habitat close to coastal defences built by the Knights and the British forces.

The same site after the illegal material was removed.