Dwejra and Mġarr ix-Xini are established as marine areas protected by the Planning Authority. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are declared principally to protect the biological and environmental values in the area where these values are special.
The protection of these areas is well accepted and many areas of this type are found in a number of countries. Protected marine areas have different values such as conservation, recreation, commerce, education, historical and research. I am going to confine myself to the recreational opportunities these areas offer for scuba diving that is so popular and important for our economy.
Diving is a recreational activity that is experiencing a higher participation rate. In Gozo, we are getting around 40,000 divers every year with a total of about 200,000 ‘man dives’ annually. Consequently, conflicts between recreation and conservation can be created.
A large number of divers can have a negative environmental impact on these sites and their natural value may be reduced. The evidence shows there are critical social and biological limits.
The protected marine areas are expected to enjoy a high degree of environmental protection. This does not imply that all activities that take place or are proposed in it will be automatically banned. But the diving activity is increasing and is therefore impacting on marine resources.
There is continued growth in this industry and although economically good, if we do not pay attention to the intrinsic value of these areas it can be reduced and in the future there may be a negative impact on the number of divers who come to Gozo.
Congestion in these sites may even lead to accelerated environmental degradation. There is evidence to suggest that excessive use of these sites by divers usually affects values rather than biological values.
Natural values are those values that result from natural beauty and therefore recreational opportunities provided by these sites. These values are measured by the satisfaction achieved by the divers who make use of these places on their vacations.
Every touristic development in these areas should aim to strike a balance between economic gain and environmental protection
Biological values depend on the maintenance of ecological functions and biological diversity. This does not mean that there should not be any diving in these places. We need to monitor activity in these sites so we may know what is going on to evaluate in terms of probability and significance the impact on the biodiversity of the sites to try to maintain the habitats and protect any rare and vulnerable species that give biological value to these places.
If we are not going to protect and monitor these sites, overuse is possible because access to these sites is open. It can be noted that especially during certain wind conditions when other sites on the south of the island are not accessible to diving, divers flock to Dwejra.
There is also the possibility that there may be independent divers who have no incentive to conserve the site. In other words, when one is in a group there is less chance of damage because one’s behaviour is under the scrutiny of other divers, while when they are not accompanied by a guide these are freer to do as they please.
Every touristic development in these areas should aim to strike a balance between economic gain and environmental protection. It is highly unlikely that free market policy will result in efficient levels of protection of these areas. In fact, the declaration of protected zone status is a form of public intervention to protect and maintain the biological and natural values of these areas.
Some studies show that the impact of a large number of divers is not so much on eco-systems in these areas but on the aesthetics, which is less attractive due to possible congestion.
The result is that less divers would wish to visit congested sites. Therefore, at present we can say that the natural value of the beauty and attraction is more affected by biological value.
Today we know from divers’ surveys that they look for the quality of the site when choosing where to go. There are studies that show that particular areas rely heavily on these criteria and if our areas lose their natural value due to the large number of divers, we can suffer from a drastic reduction.
There are those who propose that in each area there should be no more than 190,000-200,000 dives per year. We are close to this critical level and we must be careful. It is important to create other places such as artificial wrecks similar to those at Xatt l-Aħmar. These wrecks will offer diving respite to these protected areas.
Therefore, we need serious plans for the management of protected marine sites that ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in these protected areas with the full involvement of all stakeholders.
Overcrowding in these sites can lead to damage. Congestion can definitely reduce the natural value of these places and can reduce the ecological functions and values on these sites.
The economic aspects require a serious study to tackle any damage that the market itself can cause. A balance needs to be struck between the economic potential and the possible negative impact.
We need strategies to reduce conflicts between recreation and conservation and to ensure a balance between the economic benefits and the natural values of these areas.
Mario Saliba is a specialist in diving medicine and hyperbaric medicine.