On the Occasion of World Environment Day, Nature Trust (Malta) has said that it is demanding immediate action by the authorities to safeguard the freshwater crab and its habitat in Bahrija valley.
“The Bahrija valley is a scheduled site with international protection being granted to it as well by both the Habitats and the Water Framework Directive. MEPA’s recent replies to queries on the area are seen as weak and lacking in forward planning when the authority simply states that developments granted on site were approved prior to international legislation coming into force. The area was already scheduled and Outside Scheme – reason enough for not allowing development. Apart from this fact the crab in Malta has long been a protected species and the reports sent by Nature Trust to MEPA clearly show that part of the crab’s habitat was destoryed and is now under concrete blocks (Photo attached by Annalise Falzon ). Moreover, the organisation has been noting that the water course where this endangered and endemic animal is found has been drastically drying up possibly due to over-extraction or re-direction of the fresh water spring in the area by valley users. Also use of pesticides by agriculture are leaving their effect. Development and unsustainable use of resources in such a sensitive site are a direct treat to ecology.”
Mr V Attard, NTM Executive President, said that it is ironic that in this year celebrating Biodiversity, wildlife is facing problems in our Islands. This crab is not only endemic but it is endangered. It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned to see that the crab and its habitat are protected to the full. Under the EU habitats Directive, this Natura 2000 site deserves respect.
NTM wnet on to say that it feels that it is useless that the authorities say they are monitoring when it is visibly clear that the degradation is taking place. This situation needs to have a short term action plan to take immediate action while at the same time carry out a study for a long term conservation Plan.
Ms Annalise Falzon, NTM Environmental Educator, stated that during guided walks in the area it is a common sight to see crabs squashed by passing vehicles due to the fact that there is no underground passage for the crabs to proceed along the natural watercourse. Participants joining the walks are also utterly dismayed to note that such a disturbance was allowed on site by new development.
Nature Trust (Malta) concluded by sayint it is very concerned . Recently local scientist have reported that the Selmunett Lizard has been lost from our Islands. The NGO considers these reports as very serious and a big blow to the local biodiversity. The organisation calls on the Government to keep up its promised to protect the environment and calls on MEPA to act. We cannot afford another loss.
Photographs show the Maltese Freshwater Crab and a male Selmunett Lizard by A Sciberras.
1 Comment To "Nature Trust wants action to save Maltese Freshwater Crab"
#1 Comment By Victor rodenas On June 5, 2010 @ 11:20 am
It is a pity that over 90 per cent of the people do not really care for wild life, being flora or fauna. Its only in the 60`s that people are starting to take interest in nature. I remember running after Gwido Lanrfanco`s lectures, I wouldn’t dream of missing one, my main interest then, was the sea and all the life in it. Most books at the public library were obsolete, no computers were available then, but still I took notes of any sea fauna that I observed……….it takes time to change a shotgun with a camera, or a harpoon with a camera………..manytimes it would be too late.