Nature Trust has urged Mepa not to approve an application to build apartments at Maghluq valley. This area maintains the viability of the salt marsh, and building on it would mean losing another of the five remaining salt marshes on our islands, said Nature Trust.

“A salt marsh is enriched by rare and vulnerable species, which have adapted to a wetland environment. These species include submerged plants such as the sea rush and the tassel pondweed and the aquatic species killifish,” a spokesman said.

It is ironic, said Nature Trust, that the proposal comes at a time when Mepa and Marsascala local council were discussing measures to manage Maghluq effectively and use it for educational purposes. The NGO now urges Marsascala local council to officially oppose the proposed development.