The government and the MTA are floating, excuse the pun, the idea of setting up a marine park in waters just off Malta and Gozo.

The idea is, to put it plainly, terrific. First and foremost, one must understand what a marine park is, and how it would be set up. We are not speaking of underwater glass tunnels and the like; we are speaking of creating a diving and snorkeling zone which could also be used by glass bottomed boats.

Boats, of course, would still be allowed to make use of the surface, whether for transit, fishing, pleasure and whatnot, but we could add to a zone which has an abundant number of attractions.

If we were to take the area between Cirkewwa, Gozo and Comino, many would be surprised to learn that there is a veritable treasure trove of wrecks. Just to name a few, there is the tugboat Rosie, the P29 just off Cirkewwa quay. There is also the freshly sunk P31 at a fantastically accessible depth of 17 metres, the Karwela, the Cominoland and others.

There is also the Xlendi, which unfortunately, did not sink according to plan when it was scuttled, but it still remains an attraction.

The wrecks themselves are beautiful dives in crystal clear blue waters which are unpolluted and this ‘triangle’, so to speak would make a perfect contender for the marine park.

People also have a misconception that Maltese waters are not abundant with life. Nothing could be further from the truth, as one can see for themselves by simply opening a packet of Twistees underwater.

Fish suddenly appear out of every nook and cranny hoping for a morsel of what clearly seems to be one of their favourite snacks. The amount of animals swarming around, just in front of you, is staggering.

Malta has a very good name in diving circles, we have really good waters and we have some really good attractions. Perhaps what the authorities might want to keep in mind is that underwater, everything takes on a whole new perspective. Something as simple as an anchor becomes a point to visit on a dive.

A good clear out of the disused parts of the dockyard might yield a few bits and bobs, chains perhaps, cranes... anything that will last against corrosion becomes added value on a dive site.

Of course, there would have to be some serious mapping of the seabed to ensure that the new sites are accessible to all. There are two other points which need addressing. The diving industry could be improved with more infrastructure. A case in point is Cirkewwa where a handrail and flat tarmac area have improved the sites considerably. It is as simple as not hurting your feet with bits of grit while kitting up and having a flat area where air tanks do not roll around and get damaged or injure people.

The second point is the need for more charter boats. There are some very interesting boat dives around, the Imperial Eagle, the P31 and others, yet unless one has a boat of their own, or knows a friend with a boat; it’s not easy to get there. Perhaps if the MCA set up a scheme to encourage someone to set up a dedicated charter service, we might see even more business arriving in Malta and Gozo from overseas. It was a niche market, but it is rapidly becoming an industry in its own right. We are amongst the best, with a little effort, we could easily become the diving destination in Europe.