‘Stakes are not only environmental, but economic’ – Diving association on Ċirkewwa Marine Park monitoring

The Professional Diving Schools Association has expressed concern about the protection and monitoring of the Ċirkewwa Marine Park following the announcement that the Malta Ranger Unit will have to cease its operations with immediate effect.

The Malta Ranger Unit had said that a decision was taken by the Ċirkewwa Marine Park Management Council and the Malta Tourism Authority not to extend collaboration with it, and therefore end all the unit's monitoring for illegalities. “The new Management agreement for the Ċirkewwa Marine Park starts 1st September and we are not included,” the Malta Ranger Unit had said.

The Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA) found this news both disappointing and surprising.

“Ċirkewwa is Malta’s prime dive site, yet the PDSA, which represents the majority of licensed diving schools across the Maltese Islands has not been included, consulted or advised of any decision taken by the authorities in relation to the site’s future management or monitoring.”

The Malta Ranger Unit has done an outstanding job at Ċirkewwa, the PDSA said, adding that “their consistent presence has curbed illegal activity, and the results are plain to see underwater: our members have witnessed a remarkable improvement in marine life across the site. This is exactly the outcome that sustained, on-the-water enforcement delivers, and it is precisely why monitoring of the area cannot be allowed to lapse.”

The association said that a marine park of this importance requires continuous monitoring, and that any change of guardianship must be handled responsibly, with a smooth and seamless handover that leaves no gap in protection.

“Protection on paper alone is not sufficient; experience has shown us that it simply does not work. A protected area is only as protected as its day-to-day enforcement allows. The stakes are not only environmental but economic.”

Diving is one of Malta’s flagship tourism products, the association said, noting that there are over 60 dive centres across the Maltese Islands “generating substantial revenue and supporting hundreds of livelihoods.”

The Maltese diving sector attracts nearly 150,000 to 200,000 dive tourists annually and accounts for roughly 5 per cent to 6.5 per cent of total inbound tourism, the association said.

It said that Ċirkewwa is the single most popular shore-diving site in the country.

“The recovery at Ċirkewwa is therefore not only an environmental success but a direct investment in Malta’s diving economy, one that unmonitored waters would quickly put at risk.”

“As of today, active monitoring of the site has ceased, and the PDSA has yet to be informed how, and by whom, the area will be safeguarded going forward. We now await clarity from the Government and the relevant authorities on the way forward for Malta’s most valuable dive site.”

Simone Brinch Iversen, spokesperson for the PDSA, 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. Our concern is simple: this site must not be left unprotected during a change of management. We stand ready to work constructively with the authorities to ensure Ċirkewwa continues to be safeguarded, for the marine environment and for the diving industry that depends on it.”