Infrastructure Minister Chris Bonett and the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Alicia Bugeja Said, announced the commencement of dredging works in Marsaxlokk to enhance the safety and access of the seaside town’s port.

Marsaxlokk is the largest traditional fishing village in Malta and plays a crucial role in this sector. Over the years, the accumulation of stones in the port’s fairway has created difficulties to fishing vessels’ entry and exit. These works will improve access for small and larger vessels to have easier access in and out from the port. These works will reduce the risk of ships hitting the seabed and improve manoeuvrability, particularly during storms, and will provide safer mooring conditions.

Minister Bonett said that these works are necessary to improve fishermen’s safe access into the port.

“For several years, fishermen have had to face damage due to material that has accumulated on the seabed, and which has begun to cause damage and affect their boats,” he said, “Through the dredging that we will do on the seabed, we will clean this fairway that is so important for this sector.”

Minister Bonett stated that the sand collected from the Marsaxlokk seabed will be used in another area in Marsaxlokk to enlarge the Għar Aħmar bay. He said that this way, these works will not only be sustainable, but they will be positively impacting residents’ lives in another area of the same town.

He added that these dredging works will begin after discussions with fishermen made these problems known and after the government decided to take action to improve their operations. Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said also stressed this.

PS Bugeja Said stated that after listening to fishermen’s concerns and how their boats were suffering damages, the government shall be ensuring that all necessary measures are taken for fishermen’s operations not to be hindered as these dredging works are being done.

These dredging works will also help to reduce damage caused by ropes, chains, and fishing equipment – ultimately leading to a reduction in future maintenance costs for fishermen. This will also facilitate smoother daily operations, including logistics related to the sale of fish, especially for the Sunday market, local restaurants and exports.