Reference is made to the letter by Claire Cordina Borg, unit manager, national affairs, at the Environment and Resources Authority, entitled ‘Beach cleaning procedures’ (August 16).

As officer in charge of the Public Cleansing Department at the Ministry for Gozo, allow me to clarify facts since the information given was not accurate.

As per procedure, as soon as dead algae (posedonia) appears on our beaches, we resort to the ERA to obtain the required permits for removal thereof. This is standard procedure that is usually exhausted in a couple of days.

With regard to the San Blas and Ramla, on July 16, I personally contacted the ERA Gozo officials for processing and for approval. In the same e-mail, I insisted on urgent approval.

So far, notwithstanding the fact that all documentation was submitted as requested and several reminders sent, no approval was granted. This is to the detriment of all our beach users with severe impact on Gozo’s tourism sector.

Also, with regard to Daħlet Qorrot, this year algae removal was carried out three times already. However, the last removal of algae was done in the presence of an ERA Gozo official who guided the people in charge about procedure location and other applicable methodology in terms of the ERA regulations.

Beach cleansing is ongoing on a daily basis and I thank all our employees for their dedication and hard work.

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