In a press conference after an underwater clean-up event in Qawra, Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party reiterated its commitment to give tourism a boost through working for a greater protection of Malta’s historical and natural heritage. AD’s Chairperson said: “Around 60,000 divers visit Malta and Gozo for a diving holiday each year. This fact alone should make taking care of our sea and making sure it is fit for recreational use and that its biodiversity a priority policy area. The coast is already overdeveloped; we must make sure that what remains is protected for the benefit of us all.”

Today’s activity was organised by Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party and Diveshack. Over 25 divers cleaned the seabed on the Qawra coast. Various types of rubbish was collected including tyres, hundreds of glass and plastic bottles and metal objects. Towards the end of the activity Dr. Arnold Cassola was joined by the Mayor of Saint Paul’s Bay Ms. Galea to thank the divers who took part in the activity. The Saint Paul’s Bay Local Council provided the skips and bins for the activity.

Activity organiser and AD spokesperson Simon Galea said: “Tourism is vital for the Maltese economy. Malta and Gozo should cater for a more diversified tourist market. We need more tourists who spend more money in activities which generate wealth in different sectors of the Maltese economy through environmentally sustainable activities. In order to reach this aim we need to protect and embellish the environment. Most of all we need to reward innovative private sector initiatives to attract quality tourists in sectors like diving, eco tourism, cultural tourism and agro tourism.”

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