UNEP is seeking to highlight the threats to marine life through human activity such as agricultural fertiliser residue, assorted rubbish, overfishing and untreated sewage.

In Malta, we too can work to ensure the well-being of our sea. Mepa shares this concern and this year a particular effort is being made to protect marine habitats. For this reason Mepa will promote marine protected areas.

This is being done through the creation of Rinu (Thalassoma Pavo) a little fish which lives off Gnejna Bay. Together with his friends Rea and Matti, they enjoy a carefree life until their very existence is threatened by hostile human activity.

The adventures of Rinu were launched on this year’s World Environment Day with the slogan Teghriqx fl-Iskart (Don’t Drown in Litter). Concentrating mainly on the protection of the sea, MEPA solicited the help of its social partners to widen the scope of the activities. In an effort of collective social responsibility, Simonds Farsons Cisk, SAS Radisson Baypoint, Bank Of Valletta, Water Services Corporation, Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment and Malta Resource Authority have shown their commitment towards a better environment by sponsoring a summer-long campaign.

World Environment Day was thus celebrated yesterday first at St James Cavalier, then through a boat trip on the Captain Morgan Underwater |Safari and then at Bay Street with the participation of minister George Pullicino.