Shilly-shallying on conservation areas endangers divers and damages industry

Abstract

The diving community is irate at the lack of decisiveness to properly protect the conservation areas around Malta’s shores and the welfare of the thousands of divers that visit them. The immediate shores around the Maltese islands have 15 sites recognised as conservation areas, a handful of which are large than two football pitches. These are mainly situated around a variety of wrecks, consisting of ships that were scuttled as diving attractions, World War II airplanes, and other wrecks that ended up at the bottom of the sea for different reasons. Many of these near-shore sites are an essential part of Malta’s diving industry product, as well as recreational places for local divers. In contrast to other diving destinations around the world, easy access to these dive sites enables tourists to make the most of their time when visiting the islands.