The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is stepping in to finance a marine aquarium park in Qawra on the rocky coast next to Fra Ben restaurant, because it could not attract private investors to develop it.
The €7 million project was proposed by the MTA for financing by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and consists of an aquarium, an amphitheater and a marine archeology museum.
“The Malta Tourism Authority considers the project to be well suited for ERDF funds and has submitted an application accordingly,” a spokesperson told MaltaToday.
However, like past calls by the Tourism Minister for the development of a similar project, the response by the private sector has been very poor. The spokesperson said the project was not attractive for private investors as it “involves a huge capital outlay against limited commercial development” which makes the proposed scheme “not commercially viable”.
The only alternative for the government to attract private investment was to do away with most of the public facilities and allow for the development of huge commercial areas. But according to the MTA this would have changed the project scheme altogether.
The MTA says the project will give added value to the Bugibba and Qawra tourist zone. “This project represents an all-year-round facility which is particularly lacking in the area,” the spokesperson said.
The project development statement also includes plans for a diving institute set next to the aquarium. “This will not be a diving school or dive centre, of which there are many in the Bugibba-Qawra area, but rather an education facility that would provide expertise and support to the numerous dive centers,” the PDS reads. The centre will provide training and guidance to local diving schools to help them achieve high standards of diving.
The Marine Archaeology Museum is set to house artifacts recovered from the seabed over the past decades to create “one thematic attraction base” on the marine archaeology of the islands.
Research facilities will also accompany the aquarium with emphasis laid on marine conservation issues like over-exploitation, habitat destruction, marine pollution and sustainable fisheries.
The aquarium will include tanks around a central restaurant. A laboratory and a lecture hall will also support the aquarium. “It will provide a unique experience of life in coastal habitats and will be both a showcase of underwater life as well as an educational experience on the marine environment,” the PDS states.
All fish brought into the aquarium will initially be required to spend some time in the quarantine aquarium to ensure they do not carry contagious diseases that may affect the fish already living in the aquarium.
Given the natural slope from the promenade to the sea, an amphitheatre, seating 700 people and hosting theatrical performances, will be partially hewn out of the rock with a view to the sea theatre.
MTA is still considering a number of options for the management of the project and said it aims to keep the project financially self-sustaining. “MTA will be proposing that the overall management of the project will fall under the responsibility of a single entity as this will ensure efficient management and upkeep.”

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt