BirdLife Malta and the Malta Ranger Unit expressed concerns about a Malta Tourism Authority sponsored music event being organised at Wied iz-Zurrieq on 24 October from afternoon till late, within a Natura 2000 site.

The event, which is expected to host around 200-250 people, and which shall involve the use of sound and light, is happening during a very sensitive period for young Scopoli's shearwaters about to fledge for their first flight out of their nesting burrows and under the cover of darkness, BirdLife said.

During this time, light pollution causes young birds to become disoriented, becoming stranded on land, instead of heading out to open sea, risking death. Scopoli's shearwater nest along the southern cliffs of Malta including the islet of Filfla opposite Wied iz-Zurrieq, with lights and noise from this event expected to have an impact on these colonies.

BirdLife Malta said it yesterday enquired with ERA, the Environment and Resources Authority, whether a permit has been issued for this activity, which could not be found on its website portal, despite the event organisers stating they have all the necessary permits.

Along with the Qrendi Local Council, BirdLife said it has been working in the past years to reduce light pollution from areas such as Wied iz-Zurrieq through multiple EU LIFE funded projects, also supported by ERA. All mass events within Natura 2000 sites require permitting from ERA to ensure that activities on site do not compromise the bird colonies and habitats for which the protected status was designated for.

We call upon ERA to truly safeguard this site and strive to reduce light pollution at Natura 2000 sites rather than permitting such events during sensitive periods for Scopoli's Shearwaters, BirdLife said.

The Malta Ranger Unit said this area, on top of being a Natura2000 site, is at the moment hosting several nests of the protected Scopoli's Shearwater.

It's the ongoing fledgling season and the chicks who leave their nest might get disoriented by sound or light and die, unless found and taken in for rehab. It's illegal to disturb this species.

This is why the seashore of Wied iż-Żurrieq has a strict regulation, to restrict vessels to have only compulsory light and sound all year around, the unit said.