The Heritage Parks Federation, made up of Nature Trust Malta, the Gaia Foundation and Din l-Art Helwa as managers of Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park, as well as the Majjistral Park Board, said that they are seriously concerned about the proposals made by the Transport Ministry to establish a Water Fun Park at Golden Bay which is a Marine Protected Area.

They have appealed to the Transport Ministry and to the Environmental Resources Authority to disallow this activity as it is not in keeping with the pristine environment of the bay, recently awarded Blue Flag Status.

The Federation stated that the proposal is totally incompatible with policies for marine protected areas and causes damage with anchorages to the sea bed. They said that it will take up almost 300 sq metres of a restricted swimmers' zone, and bring additional traffic to an already busy bay.

"Golden Bay, despite its small size, already hosts a very large water sports operation and has surpassed its carrying capacity for such activity," Federation said.

"After many years of requests on the part of the Federation, the recent successful removal of the Munchies Kiosk has allowed the Park Managers to continue with their work to regenerate the unique sand dunes necessary for the long term environmental management of the beach."

The Federation added that this year, seemingly applauding the work by the Park, a turtle has laid its nest which is being protected by volunteers of the three organisations working together with the ERA.

The Federation augured that "good sense will prevail to keep the rowdy and visually intrusive activity of a Water Fun Park away from Golden Bay so as to permit high quality enjoyment of the area and allow nature to regenerate for its long term protection."

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