The Tal-Veċċja breakwater in St Paul’s Bay may be upgraded and repaired through an EU-funded government project.
The breakwater is in urgent need of repair, rehabilitation and protection since it was exposed to northeasterly winds, according to a report drawn up as part of a development application.
Filed by the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, the application is to refurbish and upgrade the breakwater, which is classified as a designated port for fish landings.
The report said the breakwater was battered by northeasterly winds, which happen on 10 per cent of days each year, especially in March and September. It is estimated that the average force of the wind ranges from 11 to 17 knots and it whips up violent sea storms.
The concrete arm was subjected to “intense wave-battering” that has damaged the structure over decades. A number of fissures have developed, accelerating the damage.
It dates back to the 1930s and has been used since then by fishermen landing their catch and also people with their own boats.
The works will include the removal of the existing concrete surface and refilling of the fissures. It will be covered with rubble mound armour.
The port is listed with the European Commission as the area where catches of bottom trawlers, pelagic trawler, purse seines, surface longliners, boat dredges and hydraulic dredges are landed and sold.
The average force of the wind ranges from 11 to 17 knots
There are 112 fishing vessels registered at St Paul’s Bay – of these 101 are based at Tal-Veċċja. Nine of these are registered full-time fishermen, 21 part-time and 71 leisure boats.
At the end of 2013, the Maltese fishing fleet, which includes recreational vessels, consisted of around 2,293 vessels, 23 per cent of which are based in Marsaxlokk and 19 per cent in Gozo.
A survey of the seabed revealed that the area is very disturbed because of vessel use, fishing and dumping. The report highlighted storm water run-off as one of the main sources of pollution in the area, which collects particulate matter, and waste. Another possible source was the sewage overflows during heavy rainstorms and oil from vessels.
However, the water quality in Tal-Veċċja and Xemxija bay was classified by the authorities as “excellent”.