James Debono A proposal by the Malta Maritime Authority to set up a temporary yacht marina of 84 berthing spaces at the Veccja, in St Paul’s Bay, was shot down by the Barracuda Sports Club.
Veccja was identified as one of 10 sites for the temporary marinas to operated between June and September.
But some 200 members from the Barracuda sports club insisted the marina’s temporary nature was questionable: “Nobody swims in the winter months, so for us the marina will be permanent as it will affect us during summer,” Edmond Bartolo, president of the sports club told MaltaToday.
The marina is being proposed just outside two areas designated as swimming zones. But the sports club is concerned that the spillage of waste from the yachts will end up polluting the swimming areas because of the prevailing northeast winds.
Bartolo questioned the logic of situating a marina next to a swimming zone. “It does not make sense to ruin an area used by at least 200 people to accommodate 84 yachts.”
The club has now asked for a meeting with the MMA.
St Paul’s Bay mayor Graziella Galea would not pronounce herself on the development when contacted by MaltaToday, since the council will soon be discussing this issue.
Environmental NGO Din l-Art Helwa has also expressed concern on the proposed yacht marinas. “It is not acceptable for the Malta Maritime Authority to propose the construction of seasonal yachting facilities in the close vicinity of swimming areas such as St Julian’s bay, Veccja in St Paul’s Bay, and Marsascala bay. This is likely to render these popular areas unsuitable for swimming due to the degradation of water quality.”
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