The Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira are expressing their dismay with MIDI's latest proposals for the development of Manoel Island.

MIDI have claimed that important sites are to be preserved and Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira agrees with the efforts to preserve sites of historical importance.

However, at no point has MIDI expressed concern for the fishermen and small boat owners who use the port of Gzira to launch and moor their vessels, the group said.

"If land reclamation goes ahead and the slipway and facilities are removed as is envisaged in MIDI's plans, boat owners will be at a loss as to where they can launch and moor their vessels."

The latest proposed plans include a much larger and higher bridge compared to the current Manoel Island bridge. "If this is the case a marine fairway will have to be created which will add to the loss of moorings already being caused by the proposed land reclamation. In addition to the above, a large tract of water along the shore of Manoel Island will be reserved for use by yacht yard customers, further limiting the space available for Malta's hobby fishermen and small boat owners."

"A large Lido along the Gzira shoreline (albeit not owned by MIDI) has already been approved by the Planning Authority and this already promises the loss of mooring spaces. MIDI's proposals will only compound this situation and make it harder for people of limited means to find a spot for their vessels.

Despite the new plans seeming more attractive than those of 20 years ago, Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira is strongly protesting against this threathened loss of the slipway which its members have been using for over 70 years."

The port of Gzira will also lose over 100 mooring points meaning that the famously attractive Maltese fishing boats will disappear from the Gzira shore which they have adorned for generations, fascinating locals and tourists alike, they said.