I refer to a letter in your publication on 2 July entitled Ramla Bay Gozo. The Gaia Foundation, as environmental manager for Ramla Bay, under contract with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, shares your contributor’s concerns and frustrations at the lack of lifeguard services in the bay. We have been attempting to procure such services since 2008.

The first aid and bay watch illegally set up on the beach by third parties was indeed highly misleading and therefore dangerous to the public. They were a cause of serious concern to the manager, and have now finally been removed by the authorities. As for the question of where our funds are “being poured into”, this can be seen on the ground in the form of an information and ranger station that is open on a daily basis, with rangers manning the beach/station 12 hours a day, the protection of the unique sand dunes, one of the most ecologically important sites in the Maltese islands, from invading reeds and human intervention, and the success this year in obtaining the prestigious pilot project status from Blue Flag International, a great achievement for Gozo.

The rangers also organise a number of activities for the public throughout the summer, but so far the public response has been rather bleak. Detailed activities reports and audited accounts have always been available on our website at www.projectgaia.org.

Rudolf Ragonesi

Executive Director

The Gaia Foundation