In Malta, we often talk about the things that we see when it comes to the environment and conservation of the local ecosystem.

This is, of course, natural. We complain about protected birds being shot out of the sky, we complain of buildings shooting up left right and centre, and we complain about virgin tracts of land being taken over for development.

But what about where the eye cannot see? Every year, summer season descends upon us and this brings about yet another annual pillaging phenomenon, and that is the sea and the coast.

As soon as the winds die down and the restaurants open for al fresco dining, the invisible trade begins. Spear fishermen trawl the surface of the water and try and find any quarry they can. Sometimes its barracuda, other times its kahli, sargi, octopus and any various other marine creatures that stay close to shore.

The more tourists arrive, and the more Maltese people decide to eat out, the more local coastal fishstock is depleted. The fact that most spear fishermen (who do it commercially) stick to their tried and tested routes, the less fish there are year after year. When factoring in that octopus can take years to breed, it compounds the matter further.

Spearfishing is regulated, but the rules are regularly flouted. Those who snorkel to catch their quarry at least give nature a fighting chance, but there are those who break the rules blatantly and use scuba diving equipment to spear fish at depth. This is illegal, but it happens in various locations, including Sliema, Cirkewwa and Ghar Lapsi, amongst other places.

But it is not only fish who are the targets. Divers have often noticed that people with scuba gear take nets with them and clear out sea urchins, razor clams, mussels and various other crustaceans and other sea creatures day after day.

On top of this, August normally brings with it a glut of Sicilian tourists who often strip entire rocks coasts and rock pools of any molluscs they find, including limpets, crabs, and small shrimp.

We are vociferous in our condemnation of stripping land based ecosystems and migratory birds, but because most cannot see what goes on under the surface, then they are oblivious to what is going on. This is unsustainable. Diving enthusiasts are up in arms at the ever dwindling stock of marine life that makes Malta’s coast its home. Long gone are days of massive groupers and moral eels being seen in abundance. Unless the ALE increases its patrols at sea and actually intervenes when spear fishermen take massive hauls of fish and sea creatures with them, we will end up like Cyprus which has completely depleted its stocks and now relies on imports from Malta. While it is commendable to see so many NGOs coming out in defence of Malta’s environment, we need a holistic approach, one that also safeguards the sea and its natural inhabitants. If we carry on like this, we will end up being barren. Some will argue that tourists’ tastes must be catered for, but equally, what about those high end tourists that spend thousands of euros to come to Malta to enjoy the diving? Are we prepared to lose those?