Observations on Cirkewwa – part of the efforts to make it a Marine Sanctuary
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By Antonio Anastasi*
I am not a scientist. Nor am I a Marine Biologist. I do believe in science and scientific studies, but I also believe that you cannot have any of this without long term observations.
Observation is a fundamental foundation stone in any scientific study, especially when one wants to draw conclusions on animal or marine environment. So I find it disconcerting, when I either read or hear of studies that state the reduction in marine life. I find this troublesome because I am not sure if the studies where done inshore or being based solely on fisheries landings.
I would find it even more worrying if these observations would have been done over a few dives, by A (that’s ONE) diver in the summer or winter. I would find serious faults with research done on a minimalistic basis. If a real effective study were to be made I would opt for 24hrs to 48hrs seasonal studies.
This means that I would have more than two or three divers on a site, more like a dozen, diving various times of the day and night, roster entries every two or three hours, repeating this regime at the peak of the various seasons.
I know that from my and other experienced, diving every day diving instructors that life at Cirkewwa is abundant and that over the last 20 to 30 years has changed for the best.
I also find it disconcerting when I hear divers, that may have the ears of the powers that be or that be saying things like Malta has no life; or I dived the Red Sea, now that marine life.
Comparing our sea, our coastline to the Red Sea or the Maldives is like comparing the Nature parks in Italy or the Black Forest in Germany to the Amazon or Congo Jungle.
There is no comparison at all.
Some of us who have travelled to other shores, on returning to diving in Malta, tend to look down on what we have to offer, this is in complete contrast to those thousands of divers, they make up 33% of the repeat guests that enjoy diving here as much if not more than more exotic shores.
Truly a case of the grass is always greener etc.
*Antonio Anastasi is a diving instructor and marine enthusiast who is behind the initiative to Declare Cirkewwa a Marine Sanctuary. Join the efforts to protect this beautiful place!
Tags: Cirkewwa, Declare Cirkewwa marine sanctuary, Divng in Malta, marine life, marine sanctuary, Protected Area, Sea life
Posted by Scuba Works Malta under Clean Sea, Diving, Sites | Permalink
As a diver, you’re in a unique position to monitor the health of local waters. If you notice unusual depletion of aquatic life, injury to aquatic animals or strange substances in the water, report these observations to responsible authorities please.