Still, having said that, we will see an average of 5.5 hours per day of sunshine and 95 mm of rain. Compare all this to Manchester in the UK, having an average daytime temperature of 6C, night time of 1C, 89 mm of rain and 1 hour of sunshine.

What is good about Maltese weather is that if storms come, they generally will not last more than a few hours, so one should never have to wait long for a break in the weather. The storms can also make for some spectacular views of the coast as the waves of a stormy sea crash against the rocky coast.

Weather watch is brought to us by our regular weatherman Tony Muscat who runs his own monitoring station, it-Temp, in Mellieha in Malta’s north.

Photo: Courtesy of Leslie Vella.

How you may ask?

The answer is simple, by taking a trip to The Point shopping centre, Tigne’ Point, Sliema on Saturday 21 October and visiting level -2 and level -3 where you will find Sharklab-Malta and fellow Shark Alliance members Greenhouse and Nature Trust holding a full day shark awareness activity.

Sharks are facing massive problems globally and especially in the Mediterranean from the problems of overfishing and the huge demand for fins to feed the Asian demand for “sharkfin soup”. The barbaric act of finning (the removal of the sharks fins while the shark is still alive and then thrown back to the water to drown) does not occur in Maltese waters but is a common practise throughout many European fleets and is having a catastrophic effect on populations of many species. This year as part of European Shark Week you can add your name to the petition to make your voice heard that it is time for change.

Your voice can make a difference to the survival of many species of Sharks, some of which used to call the waters around Malta home and are now facing crisis point within the Mediterranean.

By visiting the event this Saturday you be able to not only sign the petition (also online here), but also have the opportunity to learn the real facts about sharks. Contrary to popular belief the probability of encountering a shark around the Maltese Islands is almost zero, although we know and have evidence that 36 different species have inhabited or travelled through our waters, most of these have not been sighted for many years. The majority of species which still inhabit our waters are less than a metre in length and live at depths greater than 50 metres. Larger species are a rarity and although occasional sightings are reported they are often difficult to verify.

Sharks are an essential component to the balance of the marine ecosystem and by removing them at the rate we are is only going to have major negative effects. Control of the marine ecosystem is a role they have been playing out for the last 460 million years, yet in the last 30 years there numbers have spiralled down. Blue Sharks were once a common sight all over the Mediterranean, including around Malta and their numbers in the last 10 years have dropped 90%. If we do not step up and begin to be responsible for the oceans and seas, then the situation is only going to get worse. We need sharks to maintain balance.

Sharks on our menus in Malta
When it comes to eating sharks, many people in Malta include shark within their normal diet. Shark can regularly be purchased from the high-street fish van or the local supermarket. “Mazzola” is commonly sold and the name is generically used to describe 7 different species of sharks. Unfortunately, some of these species are endangered and face the real possibility of not being there much longer in our waters, but as they are simply sold as “Mazzola” how can you tell which is endangered and which is not? And did you know that “Mazzola” is shark anyway?

So when it comes to awareness and making a difference here in Malta. We have to start with ourselves, we need to understand the importance of sharks and the roles they play in keeping the marine eco-systems balanced. If we do not care for our waters, by promoting better management and enforcing protection where needed, then we will see many species simply disappear.

We cannot let that happen, human beings caused this situation but we can turn it around, through education and action we can all play our part in not only the survival of sharks, but in making the balance within the seas as it should be.

So, play your part, make your voice heard and come see us at The Point’, sign your name and learn a little about what is under the surface of our magnificent waters.

About the Author
Greg Nowell is Founder of Sharklab-Malta, a registered NGO in Malta and non-profit voluntary organisation dedicated to research, education and raising greater awareness about all Elasmobranch (Sharks, Rays, Skates and Chimaeras) around Malta and within the Mediterranean.

For further information, check out the websites:
www.sharklab-malta.org
www.sharklab.tk
www.sharkalliance.org
www.eulasmo.org

Live and let live: natural born survivors if we leave them be

We stumbled upon an unusual set of photographs by Leslie Vella that captures the beauty and wonder of Malta’s sand dunes.  We’ve covered beaches from the tourist facility point of view, but not looked hard and long at the habitats they provide for all manner of plants and wildlife.  What better time of year to draw attention to our need to preserve Malta and Gozo’s few sandy beaches than in peak summer when we’re packed on them and trampling around them. With more beaches seeking Blue Flag status, so far given to urban, part man-made beaches of St George’s Bay and Bugibba, it’s time to wise up on Malta’s natural beaches.

Sand dunes are one of the rarest and most vulnerable habitats in the Maltese Islands.  Since sandy beaches make up only around 2.4 per cent of Malta and Gozo’s coastline, it’s hardly surprising.  Originally scarce to start with they have come under increased pressure from tourism and leisure activities over the past sixty years or so.  In spite of such threats, a few sand dunes continue to thrive and marvel us with their diversity and adaptation.

Chief among these are the dunes at Ramla il-Hamra Bay in Gozo.  The depth and the deep ochre of the sand there, make the beach impressive even before you factor in the dunes at the back. Here, you’ll find a small, but almost perfectly preserved dune area which apparently plays home to an abundance of fauna and flora.  Other dunes, perhaps more a slope of sand though, are at Golden Bay, and if you take the back steps to the beach you’ll often pass white sea daffodils (Pankrazju in Maltese) in flower, even more surprisingly even in the middle of a summer.  Their determination to grow against all odds should prompt us to protect the dunes at all costs.

If you’re exploring the dunes while sunbathing this summer, please tread carefully and live and let live this rarest of Maltese habitats. Thanks Leslie for the photos, text input and drawing our attention to dunes.

Malta: a sandy beach guide  - a full list of all sandy beaches with tourist info and map.

More dune life photos from Leslie Vella here.  His portfolio is a flora guide to Ramla.

Photo: Left: Ramla il-Hamra Bay, Gozo; top right: Sea Medick; centre: Sea Daffodil; bottom: Prickly Parsnip. 

This other side to jellyfish – their allure as weird, brainless, even beautiful marine creatures – is something that has struck the Malta Tourism Authority too. The officials there know that all beaches, at some time over the summer, are going to be blighted by jellyfish. Rather than try to play down the prospect, they have come up with a new strategy – tackle the issue head on and celebrate the large variety of jellyfish along our shores. They’ve posted up a set of ‘Spot the Jellyfish’ boards at some 70 coastal sites to encourage us to identify species we come across. In fact, kids will love reporting any new species they think they’ve found on the Spot the Jellyfish website run by the International Ocean Institute (Malta).

The MTA is also supporting a Spot the Jellyfish Photo Competition with two categories of entry: one for scuba divers; the other for those with regular cameras.

So far this summer, I’ve not spotted jellyfish at my regular two sandy beaches in Malta – Golden Bay and Ghejn Tuffieha. But it’s early in the season. Jellyfish come and go, according to tide, winds, lunar pull, bloom rates, and so on. You may have a day with them (so go prepared with some vinegar or sting relief spray), but the next day on the beach could be fine. Generally, jellyfish volumes are not something to panic about. Last year, I swam the entire summer virtually jellyfish free. It’s hit and miss. If you aren’t lucky enough to miss them, you can always take up a new beach-combing pastime, and do your civic duty by reporting details of sightings – send an SMS to 7922 2278 or email: ioi-moc@um.edu.mt.

Jellyfish trends: There seems to be no clear data on jellyfish volumes, but in certain parts of the world (off Namibia for example) scientists have discovered that jellyfish biomass outweighs that of fish. Their arrival is seasonal, and related to sea temperatures and availability of food, or the lack of their predators (sea turtles for instance). They do thrive in oxygen-poor waters so sea pollution worldwide may have helped their blooming.

Treating stings: there’s a lot of information on this. See Wikipedia for a full low-down. But to treat a minor injury from a jellyfish sting in Maltese waters, you’ll probably only need diluted vinegar or a sting relief. Make sure you protect yourself when removing any stuck tentacles. If in any doubt, and especially if treating a child, do seek medical assistance. The levels of toxicity vary according to jellyfish type, and we can all react differently to a sting. Golden Bay has a lifeguard (from July onwards) who can assist; many other beaches have food kiosks nearby which can no doubt give you some vinegar. Ambulance service tel: 196.

For more on Jellies in the Med, click here [an article from a few years ago but it's a good background read on why the Mediterranean has seen a surge in jellies. And shows Malta is not alone!]

Photo: Dragan Donkov

Q. The Maltese Islands are relatively barren and we’ve a harsh climate. Yet, our vegetable vans are brimming with local produce. How do we do it?

Climate is a key factor in the production of tasty fruits and vegetables. Maltese soils have a slightly high pH. This can be negative to some plant species but beneficial to others such as vines. Water management plays in important role too. In local terms “Saqwi” means having a source of water all year round, while “Baghli” means having irrigation only available during the winter months thanks to the season’s rain.

Unfortunately, traditional ways of using water in tune with our climate have changed due to the use of borehole water. Aquifers are the only source of natural water on the Maltese Islands and over-abstraction has not only reduced the quantity but also deteriorated the quality of water within them. Veggies and fruits are made of more than 98% water. Therefore, the more vegetables we produce the more water we need. In times past, people were wise…they used to plant trees and plants that need less water such as olives, carobs and figs, and base their diets on crops that require less water. We’ve seen a rise in chemical fertilisers and sprays in recent years, but as they’ve become more expensive, farmers are learning how to reduce reliance on them, if not do without them completely. Farmers are also more aware of the consequences of chemicals on nature and health.

Unfortunately, we lost a lot of our agricultural biodiversity (that is plant and animal species utilised for the production on food and fibres). Most of the seeds are imported nowadays. Luckily, some farmers still harvest and store seeds from year to year and they should be given incentives as they have precious mini seed/gene banks in their possession.

Q. What local food products does Malta excel in? Where do our strengths lie? Do we have unique food products that shout ‘Malta’!

Mediterranean fruits are one of the local foods Malta excels in. Citrus, carob, figs, olives are all trees well suited to our climate. Then, we’ve got other minor fruits that can be commercialised to increase profits in farmers pockets, such as the Small Malta June Pear…in Maltese, the “Bambinella”. There’s the success story of Bambinella being exported to the UK for Marks & Spencer’s. Malta also excels into products such as capers. The plants look lovely and their water requirements are ultra low…perfect for our situation.

Processing local products is the key element to how our agri industry should develop. Processing adds value to raw products. Local sun dried tomatoes, pickles and jams are just some examples that look and taste lovely.

Q. When you take visitors on your eco tours, what Maltese food products do they ask about most? What do they like best? What do they take home?

This depends on the season. If a particular fruit is in season, we feature it in our tours. Tourists and locals ask about traditional agriculture. Malta has a long history of agriculture and this is part of our heritage. We often stop next to old carob trees and relate the history of their cultivation, their positive effects on the environment and how the local people used to rely on such trees.

Q. Which local food products do we locals appreciate most?

Traditional Hobz biz-zejt with kunserva, olive oil, capers, and basil. Fresh herbs make all the difference. As to cooked food…rabbit remains on top of the list! [editor's note: for a list of traditional dishes in Malta, click here.]

Q. Why is farming important to Malta, given our micro land mass and the small percentage of the population involved in agriculture.

Every farmer in the Maltese Islands is important. Apart from producing foodstuffs, we see farmers of service to us in other ways – they give a lot back in terms of services such as nature conservation…restoration of rubble walls, that are shape our landscape both if they are boundary or terrace retaining. Where land has been abandoned, rubble walls have deteriorated and soil has been lost to the sea. The conservation of agricultural biodiversity is also something many farmers contribute to.

Q. Which of our specialities would you like to see more of in the foodie line being produced in Malta?

For me, the most important aspect to retain and revive is our agricultural biodiversity. I spoke recently to a farmer and tasted some of his superb peaches. My immediate reaction was “these peaches must cost an eye…it’s just the beginning of the season and prices must be high”. He sadly sighed at me and told me “not when loads of peaches are being imported and sold as local peaches”. this is so unfair to our farmers and the local industry. The management involved in producing crops is intrinsic and having foreign fruits sold as local fruit is distorting the market and creating unfair competition.

And I’d like to see more products that were more common in the past.

Eco tours
Merill Eco Tours provides authentic experiences for small groups, using eco-friendly transport and bringing economic benefits to the rural communities whenever possible.

Waterfall, but water poor. Don't let Chadwick Lakes deceive you.

“We rank a miserable No. 172 of 180 countries in the UN’s latest study of water resources. Even the countries bordering the Sahara have more water per capita than we do!” says Astrid Vella of one of Malta’s most vociferous heritage and environmental NGOs,Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA). On 5th April, FAA is organising a public lecture with two leading water management figures to discuss Malta’s ‘silent crisis’ – its looming and certain dire water shortage. “What’s incredible”, says Astrid, “is how we’ve chosen to ignore all the past methods of water conservation which served us so well for centuries. A determined effort is now needed to make up for lost time.” If you can, do attend the evening lecture. The more minds get around this issue, the better for all in Malta. Here’s FAA’s snapshot of what it’s about….

Nothing is forever and this was never truer than in the case of Malta’s most precious commodity, its fast-diminishing water supply. If Mdina is Malta’s silent city then water could be described as its silent crisis – one which is looming ever closer.

Fortunately, forewarned is forearmed; with this in mind the heritage and environment group, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) has invited Ing Marco Cremona and Dr. Gordon Knox, leading experts in the field of water management, to give a public lecture on the challenges ahead. Committed to raising public awareness Ing Cremona and Dr. Knox are both founder members of the Malta Water Group, which was launched on World Water Day to raise awareness on local water issues as well as on the fact that we are we are heading for a crisis if nothing changes.

Dr. Knox, an Applied Geologist, who takes a voluntary interest in natural resources, will deliver a talk on the issue of water resources from a global, as well as a Maltese perspective, and will focus on the consequences of not addressing these issues.

Ing Cremona is a Mechanical Engineer specialising in hydrology who has recently been entrusted with the preparation of Malta’s water strategies as part of the National Climate Change Adaption Committee. He will consider some of the positive steps that can be taken to address the problem and will talk about some of the processes that he has devised, many of which have already received international recognition. “Malta is still not using its natural resources properly,” Marco says. ” We are over-extracting our aquifiers by around 50 per cent over their sustainable levels. We need to urgently address the situation otherwise we risk losing the free supply of 23 million of cubic metres of water a year in fifteen to twenty years’ time. That’s the equivalent of 126,000 water roof-tanks a day.”

The lecture will offer the opportunity to hear about some of the latest water conservation measures and get the facts on the water shortage in Malta. The joint presentation is expected to last approximately an hour and will be followed by an opportunity for questions.

The talk is to be held on Tuesday 5th April 2011 at the newly-restored premises of Obelisk Antiques at Villa Druscilla, Mdina Road, Attard, and will be followed on Saturday 9th April by a visit to the Tal-Papa Farm, B’bugia, which has unique system of water catchment, making it one of the few farms in Malta which is self-sufficient for water all the year round. Those wishing to participate at either of these events are requested to book at bookings@faa.org.mt or phone 99258519.

Photo: courtesy Leslie Vella
For an alternative view of Chadwick Lakes (parched and dry) click here.

Fresh white and spring clean: daisies, in full flower in April

Finally, and suddenly, we can smell summer round the corner. But make the most of the fleeting spring warmth during April our weather man Tony Muscat says. Tony provides our daily weather – see sidebar below – driven by his sophisticated home weather station in Mellieha, run under the name it-Temp.com.

On 27 March, Malta put the clocks forward one hour like the rest of Europe and it felt like we’d switched-on summer. Temperatures went up to 23°C, the sun shone all day, and we had UV touching 7. To put this in perspective, the recommended sunscreen SPF for this level of UV is 20…and that was March!

As we move into and through April, temperatures will slowly start to creep up, with typical daytime highs of 20°C, but with the odd day being as high as 26°C. However, it can still feel rather chilly at night with temperatures of around 13°C. Rain showers may still occur, but generally will be less frequent and intense than in March, with April being the last month in which there will be any significant rainfall before summer.

The sun will shine for longer, around 8 hours a day, so the temptation to lie on the beach after the winter months will be greater. However, like last month, only the brave will swim, as the sea temperature will be only a fraction higher than last month at around 16°C.

Photo: courtesy Gege Gatt

Barcelona Port Forum's giant solar plant. The city has the highest density of solar panels in Europe. The shape of things to come in Malta?

Photovoltaic panels are mushrooming on our roofs. Alongside the army of cell phone masts, satellite dishes and solar water heaters. There are government support schemes to encourage us to install. But before we speak to the salesmen, and there are around 30 plus firms in the sector here now, what do we need to know?

Charles Yousif of the Institute of Sustainable Energy at the University of Malta and also Secretary General of the Malta Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energies Association, answers FAQs on the whole photovoltaic trend. Charles entitled his answers:’Photovoltaics: Today’s Energy Choice for Future Energy Savings’ as while you won’t have a totally zero electricity bill with photovoltaics, you won’t be at the mercy, as much, of price hikes in fossil fuel produced electricity. Essential reading for homeowners thinking green.

Q. Malta is experiencing an exponential growth in photovoltaic installations, especially in the domestic sector. Why?
Up to a few years back, Malta had very few photovoltaic installations. The first installation ever was built for demonstration purposes and tested at the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ex-Energy Technology) of the University of Malta, back in 1993, when grid-connection of such systems was actually illegal. Up to 2005, very few systems were installed and the price per kWpeak installed was equivalent to €16,000, making the technology economically unfeasible. Following Government capital grants as of 2006 and more aggressively as of 2008, the number of installations has increased and today we have about 5 MWp registered with the MRA. One would estimate that these installations are now producing 7.5 GWh of electrical energy per year, saving around 6,585 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The electricity generated from these systems is about 0.35% of what Enemalta Corporation had generated in 2010.

Q. Do you mean that if there are no grants, the installations would drop in number?
According to the European Renewable Energy Directive, Malta has to reach 10% renewable energy share by 2020. Malta has already committed itself to that and is now putting measures to reach the target, by taking it one step at a time. The first intermediate trajectory target of 2% has to be reached by 2012. There are many different ways of incentivising potential clients to install solar photovoltaic systems. One of them is the capital grants that Government has implemented so far. But, one also notes that this year the feed-in tariff has also been introduced. A feed-in tariff implies that a customer could opt to sell the solar generated electricity to the grid and get a financial credit for it. The majority of EU Member States use feed-in tariff schemes. Given that most of the capital grants that were given to PV installations were from European funds, one would presume that Malta will shift to a 100% feed-in tariff scheme, when these funds are exhausted. Hence, in essence people will install only if they see a financial benefit to their investment. On the other hand, I presume that by 2015, the prices of photovoltaic electricity will be cheaper than fossil-fuelled electricity in an island scenario such as Malta, to the extent that there will be no need for grants or subsidies to encourage investment in this field.

Q. How should one go about finding a PV system?
As it stands today, many customers go and get quotations from different suppliers, choose the cheapest and apply for the maximum grant of €3,000. This is absolutely wrong because the available roof area may not be large enough to accommodate all the panels that you need. The approach should be to evaluate the potentially un-shaded area on the roof first. Then, get quotes.

Q. How do you do that?
First, any shading or partial shading on the panels would deem the PV system almost redundant. Panels are usually connected in series so that if one or more of them are partially shaded, the output is drastically reduced. In order to calculate the potential un-shaded area, you need to take note of all obstacles such as the boundary wall. For every 1 metre high of obstacle one has to move away 2.4 metres in all directions. This value ensures that the panels will not be shaded during the winter months when the sun is low in the sky. Once this is made, the total remaining un-shaded area may be determined. For example, a 100 m² roof with boundary walls would probably reduce to around 50m² of un-shaded space. One has to remember that rows of panels should also be spaced out to avoid cross-shading. Hence, in order to calculate the approximate capacity of this particular example, one would take the un-shaded area and divide it by 14, to get the kilo-watt peak (kWp) of the system (assumed to be of crystalline silicon cell panels, installed facing south and inclined at 30° to the horizontal). Hence for this example, the un-shaded area can host around 3.5 kWp.

Q. Do you mean that one would only save 3.5 units of electricity from this system that is occupying 50 m²?
No, tests carried out in Malta showed that every 1 kWp of photovoltaic system would produce a long-term average of 1,460 kWh/year. Hence a 3.5 kWp would produce 5,110 units of electricity per year or a daily average of 14 units. The long-term result also caters for the fact that solar systems degrade in performance by about 1% per year.

Q. It seems quite attractive to save 15 units per day, which is the average consumption of a family in Malta. Would you recommend all families to consider installing such a system?
Before one can recommend a photovoltaic system, it is very important that the family installs a solar heating system. Solar heaters are 3 times more efficient and 5 times cheaper than photovoltaics and also occupy much less space. Government is also giving grants for installing them in 2011. In Greece, no grants are given to a photovoltaic system unless the dwelling already has a solar heater and this makes a lot of sense, because solar electricity should only be used with efficient appliances or with services that cannot do otherwise, such as a fridges, tv sets, lights, computers, etc… Water heating is best achieved by a solar heater and not by producing expensive solar electricity and wasting it in an electric boiler (geezer).

Q. Will my electricity bill be near zero if I have the optimum photovoltaic system in place?
Let’s not give the impression that what matters is ONLY the bill, because even if the bill is zero, you still have to fork out the rent of the meter.

It is impossible to claim or give guarantees that a combination of a solar water heater and the right number of PV panels will bring the bill down to zero, because the panels do not produce the same amount of energy everyday due to the seasonal and daily variations of the sun’s energy. In Malta, we are no longer talking about net metering (although it is still possible to opt for that). We are now talking about feed-in tariff, which implies that you sell what is generated and buy from Enemalta what you need. So really you are still buying from Enemalta all the same

It also does not make sense to produce more than you consume, because there is an upper limit beyond which Enemalta will buy the electricity at a much lower price.

Q. Is it true that photovoltaic systems have no maintenance requirements?
Photovoltaic systems have constituent parts: first, the solar panels which are guaranteed for at least 20 years; and second, an inverter which is the heart of the system. It converts dc power to ac power. Inverters can have a guarantee of 10 years, extendable to 20 years at a premium. Then there is the support structure for the solar panels, the cabling, the circuit breakers and other components. If one ensures that all these components are of good quality and are installed properly from the start, then there should be no major problem for maintenance. Washing of the modules after a sandy rain or during summer, could improve performance but such an activity should not be carried out during bright sunshine hours. One also has to be very careful and use insulating material such as wood handles when washing the panels and this should never be done barefooted. Photovoltaic systems are electrically active even if one switches off the mains supply. Their output is high dc voltage which is very dangerous, in case of electrocuting. No tampering with the panels or the inverter should be allowed and the roof must be made inaccessible to children.

Q. How do you see the future of photovoltaics in Malta?
It can only move forwards but it requires a stable market environment, which can only be achieved if a long-term support scheme is put in place, to allow a sustainable and competitive development of the local market. I am worried a little bit by the fact that there is no local expertise in repairing inverters and normally no stock is kept in store. Hence, when an inverter fails, one would have to wait for weeks until it is sent abroad for repair or replaced by a new one under guarantee. In any case, the customer would be loosing days if not months until the system is put on line again. I also see Malta as a potential hub for the Mediterranean and North African region. There is a niche market to provide expertise and support services in this field to larger markets in the region.

Photo: Courtesy Carlos Lorenzo

More on Barcelona’s solar use
Barcelona & Solar Energy: for more on the city’s impressive promotion and use of solar energy, click here.

Further Information
The Institute for Sustainable Energies offers a technical inspection of installed, domestic, solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems. For an appointment, call Eur. Ing. Charles Yousif on 2165 0675. See the Institute’s site for details too.
Malta Resources Authority (MRA) operates government’s support schemes including subsidies for first-time installation of domestic solar water heaters and for photovoltaic panels.

Possibly Malta's oldest carob tree. It may live to see its pods appreciated again.

Jeanette Borg had a thought, then a dream back in 2008 when she was reading for her degree in Agro-Ecosystem management. Why couldn’t nature and tourism work hand in hand, sensitively and in harmony, celebrating but not exploiting harmfully Maltese archipelago’s rich and diverse natural habitats? Earlier this year, her dream became reality in the shape of a business – Merill Eco Tours. Here, Jeanette argues that ecotourism is a sustainable way to breathe new economic life into Malta’s tourism offer, if handled right.

What is ‘ecotourism’?
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that unites the conservation of the environment, rural communities, and sustainable travel. Tourists who opt for ecotourism expect to engage in experiences that area not only related to nature but also involve meeting local people. Operators implementing ecotourism should follow a number of principles, ideally those The International Ecotourism Society spells out such as minimising impact; providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts; providing direct financial benefits for conservation; and importantly, providing financial benefits for local people.

Is it possible to have ecotourism in Malta with its highly developed traditional tourism offer?
Ecotourism is relatively a new concept in the Maltese Islands. Nature, culture, tradition and history form an interesting mix to bring about an authentic experience to visitors and locals alike. ‘Sun and sea’ has been a strong selling point to attract tourism to the Maltese Islands throughout the years. The islands can offer a lot more in terms of landscape, ecology, geology, and archaeology.

The local tourism industry is gearing up to provide “green” options in terms of accommodation, transport and leisure activities. Combining these three elements together will ensure an eco-friendly visit and stay on the islands as well as keep the Carbon Footprint as low as possible!

What are its benefits to Malta?
There are various reasons why ecotourism is worth promoting here. The seasonality issue is of concern to the public and private sector. Thousands of tourists visit the islands during a short period of time, mostly during the summer months. This creates an enormous pressure on natural resources, water in particular. Most tourism businesses suffer a loss during the winter shoulder months. Since ecotourists travel for reasons other than sun and sea, a flow of tourists could be spread during winter and spring as well.

Who benefits from ecotourism?
The tourism industry at large would benefit from ecotourism. Also, rural communities can form an active part in the network. Ecotourists tend to seek out traditional and cultural goods and services so economic benefit can be injected directly into the rural areas while respecting and even fostering the way of life of these areas. It can help Malta’s traditional cuisine too: restaurants cooking traditional recipes would be more in demand, and thereby encouraged to keep our culinary history alive, as well as helping promote local food products.

How is ecotourism less damaging than mass tourism?
Ecotourists always demand eco-friendly goods and services. Hotels that embrace eco-friendly practices will be more in demand, while activities that respect the environment will be created in line with this demand.

Excursions, for example, need to involve smaller groups which can be sensitised to our environmental issues and, from a logistics and management point, be guided better when out and about. Some rural sites commonly visited are of scientific and ecological importance. Garigue for instance, is a common habitat present all over the islands. This habitat is home to many tiny creatures, such as aromatic plants and insects that can be easily trampled upon. Tour operators and guides need to become more aware about habitats and species living around us. This issue can be easily tacked if guides politely ask the guests to “stick to the footpath” and avoid wandering away. Prohibiting the picking of plants and rocks also needs to be stated before every excursion as most species are protected by law.

How easy has it been to set up the routes? (issues of access to private land and opening of rights of way?)

It was not easy to set up the routes. The number of attractive sites of interest is infinite, but not all are accessible. We had to team up with various land owners including farmers to obtain access and be able to visit some areas of interest. Avoiding heavy traffic to get to rural areas is also important.

The hunting season has also created some obstacles. Personally, I am against hunting, but I also believe that it has strong cultural roots that cannot be confronted easily. Another thing that is rarely mentioned by environmentalists is that legal hunters (rather than poachers or squatters) are also environmental managers; they take good care of their trees and rubble walls and if wasn’t for them most of the vegetation around the Maltese islands would have been lost a long time ago. To avoid conflicts with hunters, we opted for other locations thus having an alternative for the hunting season. We strongly believe that working together is the way to win-win situations and securing the long-term for the business.

What does someone find out about Malta on your Eco Tours that the regular tours won’t tell them?
There isn’t much variety in conventional tours I must say. The routine Valletta, Mdina and another couple of tours have been marketed now for well over thirty years. It’s a good to promote history and culture but there is much more to discover. Eco tours show the very best of nature, including a variety of endemic species, and social aspects that we cherish. Many of our traditions, except for village festas, and aspects of rural life hardly get mentioned and promoted by conventional tours.

Further Info
Merill Eco Tours provides authentic experiences for small groups, using eco-friendly transport and bringing economic benefits to the rural communities whenever possible. The licensed guides within the team are passionate about ecotourism and undergo continuous training about the eco aspects of the Maltese Islands.

See Merill Eco Tours website for full details.

It’s a blustery February morning at Golden Bay. But the sun is out and so are the walkers, and the cafe in the corner is doing some trade. My son notices a small group of people poking at the flotsam and jetsam beached after the winter storms. Before I know it, he’s engaged in animated conversation with them.

Sharklab(Malta) was set up in 2008 to research sharks which pass through and live within the Maltese territorial waters. There are 35 recorded species of sharks inhabiting the waters around Malta. The large species only travel through the Mediterranean seasonally. Go to the fish market in Marsaxlokk on a Sunday to find the occasional unfortunate creature that ended up in a net.

Greg Nowell from Sharklab(Malta) says that sharks are being removed from our seas and oceans at an unprecedented rate, and we must act now to preserve these magnificent animals from extinction. The oceans and seas are their home and when we travel on or swim under we should remember that we are guests.

For more info, check out SharkLab’s website. They’re out beachcombing for egg cases, snorkeling and diving almost every weekend. See their calender of activities.

Photo (thumbnail, main page): by Lebatihem