A number of experts from Mediterranean countries are presently in Malta attending a workshop on the state of beach management in the Mediterranean.

The regional workshop is organised by the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics on behalf of the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre of the Mediterranean Action Plan. Experts hail from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Italy, Libya, Spain and Tunisia.

Addressing the workshop yesterday morning, Environment and Rural Development Minister George Pullicino admitted that the need for appropriate measures to manage Mediterranean beaches is recognised, yet the actions employed in implementing such measures are not always easy to undertake, especially if a sectorial approach is undertaken and actions focus either on providing facilities for visitors or deal only with habitat protection.

He said beaches are dynamic coastal areas and their equilibrium can be easily offset by inappropriate action that does not address the beach as a natural system.

The Mediterranean is the world’s leading tourist destination, accounting for one third of international tourism.

“Mediterranean coastal areas have been modified to accommodate the needs of the tourism sector which in most cases has led to negative impacts on the natural processes and systems through the discharge of untreated sewage, the loss of sandy beaches and the continuous threat to local and regional biodiversity.

“This development has also led to a gradual deterioration of the Mediterranean coastal landscape and character, in itself a source of attraction to the

visitor,” he said.

Mr Pullicino continued that planners and environmental managers alike are constantly attempting to develop tools that can assist sustainable beach management which will ensure better water quality, address litter management, ensure safety and safeguard important coastal habitats.