Concerns Raised Over End of Ranger Monitoring at Malta’s Ċirkewwa Marine Park
The Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA) has raised concerns over the immediate withdrawal of ranger monitoring at Ċirkewwa Marine Park, one of Malta’s most popular shore-diving sites.
The Malta Ranger Unit announced on Monday that it would stop monitoring the marine park after the Ċirkewwa Marine Park Management Council and the Malta Tourism Authority decided not to extend their collaboration with the organisation. A new management agreement for the marine park is due to begin on 1st September.
The Ranger Unit said the decision was not related to the quality of its rangers’ work. It also said it was not aware of who would be responsible for monitoring illegal activity at the site going forward.
The Rangers had been monitoring the area for illegal activities including night-time spearfishing, illegal net fishing and speeding vessels. They also assisted divers, raised awareness of marine legislation and reported illegalities to the relevant authorities.
The PDSA said it was disappointed and surprised by the decision and had not been consulted or informed about changes to the future management or monitoring of the marine park.
PDSA spokesperson Simone Brinch Iversen said: “The recovery we have seen at Ċirkewwa is real, and it did not happen by accident; it is the direct result of the Rangers’ hard work.”
The PDSA said the presence of the Rangers had helped curb illegal activity and contributed to an improvement in marine life at the site.
The association has called for a smooth transition in responsibility, warning that a gap in monitoring could undermine the progress made at Ċirkewwa.
“Protection on paper alone is not sufficient,” the PDSA said, stressing that effective protection depends on consistent monitoring and enforcement.
The association also highlighted the importance of Ċirkewwa to Malta’s diving industry. According to the PDSA, the Maltese diving sector includes more than 60 licensed dive centres and attracts an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 diving tourists each year.
The PDSA said it is ready to work with the Government and relevant authorities to ensure that Ċirkewwa remains protected, and is awaiting clarification on who will be responsible for monitoring the marine park going forward.
Source: MaltaToday
Photo: Shannon Moran
