The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has launched a draft Masterplan to support a sustainable diving industry in Malta. Along with the draft document launched for consultation, 21 reports for each of the diving sites in Malta were compiled describing each site and listing proposed interventions.
This is the last in a three-part focus series, published over the past days.
Annaliza Borg writes
Dive Site Report 15: L-Ahrax (Mellieha)
L-Aħrax is situated on the northernmost tip of Malta. It is quite remote when compared to other sites. The site is also popular for camping.
Access to the site is via the spine road that leads off the main road from Mellieħa Bay to Ċirkewwa at the top of the hill past the Red Tower. This runs along the entire eastern section of Marfa Ridge. A number of roads set perpendicularly to the spine road in a north-westerly direction provide access to a number of bays and inlets along the north coast of Marfa ridge. The last of this series of roads leads to Aħrax Point. A secondary access is from White Tower Bay (which is itself accessed from the spine road).
The surrounding area is dominated by a maritime garrigue / rocky steppe environment and one can note the presence of derelict sand dune formations at the head of the bay (known as Daħlet ix-Xmajjar). A wind monitoring mast has been recently set up on the Aħrax peninsula. The site is also interesting from a geomorphologic aspect mainly through the landform on the east-facing part of the coast and the tunnel and collapsed cavern.
The site itself does not offer many facilities for divers, nonetheless, food and beverage facilities, telephones, and the camping site’s toilets and showers are present some 150m away from the site.
The nearest fuel-filling station is found at Mellieħa, more than 2 km away from the site. The closest dive centre is located at Mellieħa Bay.
The entry points are located approximately 50 to 100m away from the parking area and require walking over uneven terrain. Site investigations noted the presence of littering and flotsam.
The provision of signage will improve the site for diving purposes.
Dive Site Report 16: Slugs Bay (Mellieha)
Slugs Bay is situated on the north side of Mellieħa Bay. It is quite remote and is usually visited by trekkers.
Access to the site is via the spine road that leads off the main road from Mellieħa Bay to Ċirkewwa at the top of the hill past the Red Tower. Access to this site is through a country road to the south of the spine road. The final part of the route is in a very bad state and thus is only accessible (with difficulty) by 4x4 vehicles.
The surrounding area is dominated by a garrigue environment and one can note further uphill that there have been attempts at afforestation. The site is popular for camping and country walks. The area also includes an entrenchment wall built during the Knight’s period.
The site itself does not offer many facilities for divers. Food and beverage facilities, telephones and public toilets are located more than 1km away from the site.
The presence of littering was noticed during site investigations.
Proposed interventions:
• Fixing access road and upgrading of the area;
• Introduction of a stainless steel ladder on the jetty;
• Installation of a stainless steel hand rail along the jetty to the ladder; and
• Signage
Dive Site Report 17: Qawra Point North
Qawra Point is found on a peninsula and is a popular touristic locality. The small bay at the headland is equipped with all the facilities needed for swimmers.
There are two access points to the diving site and both are accessed through a combination of tiled and concreted passages and wooden walkways over the rock. There is limited access for divers / diving school vehicles along the tiled / concreted passage and there is also some space for parking as a result of recent upgrades to the site. The entry points have ladders that lead to a rock-cut pool which is excellent for beginners.
The area has ample space for parking with both informal and formal arrangements, including an area dedicated to divers’ vehicles.
The area has public toilets and a food and beverage outlet. The informal space with limited vehicular access is just 70m from the access points. There is extensive (recently installed) safety infrastructure such as railings. The nearest fuel filling station is found at St Paul’s Bay, more than 2 km away from the site but the closest dive centre is located in the New Dolmen Hotel in Qawra. Entry points E1 and E2 are located parallel to each other along the different sides of the pool. A wooden walkway leads to a wood and stainless steel ladder.
Some maintenance is nonetheless necessary and litter was encountered near the bring-in-site area. This was detrimental to the quality of the area.
Necessary minor interventions include the provision of signage and security features, such as a CCTV camera.
Dive Site Report 18: Merkanti Reef (Paceville)
Merkanti Reef is found next to Dragonara Point in close vicinity to the hub of Maltese nightlife, in Paceville. The diving site is located offshore between the Portomaso development and the Westin Dragonara Resort.
The surrounding area is mainly known for its tourist and recreational facilities. There are also various bathing facilities and related infrastructure in the surrounding area.
The area has ample parking space in terms of both informal and formal arrangements.
The parking area immediately near the access / exit points is small and free of charge.
The larger parking area located within an excavated plot is against payment and is the parking area of the adjacent hotel complex.
Informational signage is available.
Apart from the uneven surfaces at the site, there are other safety hazards mainly through scattered broken glass and a broken rusted pipe. The nearest fuel filling station is found in Balluta, more than 2km away from the site. The closest dive centres are located at the two nearby hotels.
A large quantity of litter was encountered during site investigations.
Proposed interventions:
• Provision of a kitting-up area;
• Provision of signage in the area; and
• Provision of an area for loading / unloading.
Dive Site Report 19: Exiles, Sliema
The Exiles diving site is found equidistantly between the town centres of Sliema and St Julian’s.
The area is also known as St Julian’s Point and the St Julian’s Tower serves as a landmark.
The area consists of food and beverage outlets, parking facilities and a dive centre.
Access to Exiles is through a narrow road on the left of the road that leads from St Julian’s to Sliema. There are two entry points with the first accessed from concrete footsteps and a concrete platform (where there is a ladder) whilst the second point is mainly accessible over bare rock.
Various bathing facilities and related infrastructure are present in the surrounding area. The area has ample parking space a short distance from the access points.
Informational signage on the general area is available and various food and beverage outlets are found in the immediate surroundings and in the wider surroundings.
The nearest fuel-filling station is found at Balluta, around 1km away from the site. The nearest dive centre is located on site.
Proposed interventions:
• The replacement of the ladder with a new stainless steel version;
• Provision of dedicated parking slots for divers;
• Provision of signage.
Dive Site Report 20: Fortizza Reef and Coral Garden, Sliema
The Fortizza Reef and Coral Garden dive site is found next to a restaurant housed at the fortizza. Using the Sliema promenade from the St Julian’s direction one has to turn to the left immediately after having passed the restaurant, which is a landmark of this area. Apart from the promenade, the area is characterised by food and beverage outlets, hotels, parking facilities and a dive centre.
Access to the dive site is through the parking area adjacent to the restaurant.
At the edge of the parking area there are some telephone booths. The nearest fuel filling station is found at Balluta, within 2km from the site. There are diving centres both on site and in the vicinity.
The provision of signage can improve the area for diving purposes.
Dive Site Report 21: Manoel Island, Gzira
Manoel Island is mostly known for its military architecture (Fort Manoel). However, the area also has something to offer to the diving industry mainly through the wreck of the X127 Water Lighter - the World War I lighter sunk after an attack during the Second World War.
The site provides access to one of only a few sheltered wreck sites, making it a suitable alternative dive site during adverse weather conditions.
The wreck has traditionally been known as the Coralita barge, yet following research by David Mallard it was discovered that the famous wreck at Manoel Island was in fact an X127 Water Lighter.
The surrounding area is currently in disuse even though some restoration works are underway in the close vicinity and the approaches to the dive site will form part of the Manoel Island Redevelopment Project currently underway by MIDI plc.
For food and beverage outlets and diving facilities one has to go to Gzira. Parking facilities are available on site yet in an informal setup.
The access points are located next to the former Manoel Island Lazaretto Quarantine Hospital and just below Fort Manoel. Access to the dive site is through the informal parking area just below the walls of the fort.
The surrounding area is mainly known for its yacht yard and has a huge potential for tourism mainly through the presence of the restored Fort Manoel. The area is in great need of regeneration, which is one of the aims of the ongoing MIDI project, which has already rehabilitated Fort Manoel.
The area only has an informal parking area and there are various safety hazards, mainly rusted metal protruding from the bare rock.
Feedback from operators in the diving industry highlights an increasing concern that this site is effectively becoming privatised because access is controlled by security guards who manage the site on behalf of the developers. Although access is generally given, the requirements for documentation (passports, ID cards, driving licences etc) is increasing, which is acting as a deterrent against the use of the site and to gain access to the public foreshore.
If plans for the marina and breakwater elements of this project go on, this could significantly limit access to this popular dive site in the future (on grounds of maritime safety and further degradation of water turbidity). The extension of the marina in this area would also contradict North Harbours Local Plan Policy NHCV03, which seeks to protect the area for coastal access and covers most of this dive site.
Since this development planning application was submitted, the wreck of the X127 Water Lighter together with the nearby Hospital Palazzo Vecchio and associated wards have been Scheduled under an Environment and Development Planning Act.
Given the scale and significance of the Manoel Island Project in relation to this dive site, it is considered important that the MTA, together with appropriate representatives from the diving industry, lobby with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the government to highlight the significance of this shore dive site for the industry.
This type of development pressure also highlights the potential benefits associated with official designation of dive sites in the context of future Marine Protection Areas, development planning pressures and marine management issues generally.
The rehabilitation of the former hospital site could provide an opportunity for a refreshment area, toilets and other facilities that are currently lacking on the islet.
Proposed interventions include the provision of signage and a handrail (at the second entry point).
The draft document is open for consultation till 21st of the month February and is available online: http://www.mta.com.mt/divingmasterplan