Speaking at the end of the activities for cleaner seas held at St George’s Bay in St Julian’s, Dr Zammit Dimech said that over a period of 23 weeks between May and October, the Public Health Department regularly takes samples of the sea water at the 87 sites used for swimming.

Every year, the department prepares a report on the previous swimming season so that the public will be informed on the sea water quality in places used for swimming.

The minister was pleased to announce that the Pollution Control Coordinating Unit would be within his ministry’s jurisdiction once again. This unit, which aims to reduce the pollution of the sea around Malta, is responsible for cleaning oil spills or debris on the surface of the sea.

Dr Zammit Dimech asked everyone who goes swimming to refrain from throwing rubbish into the sea. This is not only a threat to swimmers, but also damages marine life.

Beach cleaners are another measure used to keep the coasts clean. This sector also cleans the beaches in winter as well as carrying out small maintenance jobs.

Hundreds of garbage bins have been placed along the coast and the appearance of the coast has greatly improved. The Malta Tourism Authority had also taken initiatives to improve the island’s coast. The quality of St George’s Bay had been raised due to 24-hour supervision and the 7,000 tonnes of sand imported from Jordan, said the minister. The way this bay is being managed should set an example for the management of other beaches, he said.