Seafloor damage, rubbish & diesel: Popular inlet bay in Gozo gets taken over by boats
It's becoming a regular occurrence on Malta's sister isle.
Summer season is in full swing and while the weather acts as the perfect summertime tonic, bathers looking for a relaxing swim are not finding it that easy.
A photo shared earlier this afternoon is making its rounds on Facebook. Snapped by a local, the pictures shows a number of boats and cabin cruisers shows at least 20 vessels lined up on both sides of Gozo's Mgarr ix-Xini.
"...absolute madness and this is just one place on Gozo..." the shocked local reveals.
Lamenting the environmental consequences of such actions, she continued to write: "How much damage is done to the seafloor and the sea creatures with all those anchors not to mention all the rubbish thrown overboard and diesel..."
"But no dogs allowed, mind you I would not let our dog swim in that." When boats accumulate in a restricted sea space such as Mgarr ix-Xini, it takes the bay a very long time to rid itself of all toxins and rubbish in the water, especially since its enclosed from three sides.
One social media user immediately pointed out that the iconic inlet bay is "...a Natura 2000 site and is supposed to be protected, it is criminal that boats are allowed in to cause such destruction."
Indeed, the Ta' Cenc cliffs, of which Mgarr ix-Xini forms part of, are a protected site for ecological reasons. However, the valley is also full of history with cart ruts and prehistoric remains found on either cliffside.
Locals are calling for proper enforcement to protect the area as well as bathers present.