The dry standing regeneration project in Xlendi has been inaugurated by Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

The project was funded through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund at a cost of €500,000, they said.

The Gozo Minister said that the project had been completed before the start of summer as had been previously promised. He explained that “it is not just visitors who are essential for Xlendi’s survival, fishermen are also needed to keep the wheel turning for a strong economy and to keep our businesses alive.”

“For this Government fishermen are essential and it is now providing them with the required space to practice their craft – their living,” said Minister Camilleri.

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that “through this EU funded project, we are assisting fishermen by providing new facilities in Gozo.”

He went on to say that this investment of €1.8 million, which includes works in Xlendi, as well as the Mgarr project, “serves to further strengthen the island’s fishing infrastructure.”

The work primarily consisted of the reconstruction of the dry standing area, including changes to the lay-out, the building of a new winch room. In addition, site equipment was changed – including the winch, while new lighting and CCTV cameras were installed for more control.

The installation of a new lighting grid and water system through service pillars was also carried out, these will allow fishermen to be able to do repair and maintenance work on their boats more easily.

For safety, a firewall was built as a safeguard for anyone in the vicinity of the site in case of fire. An oil separator tank was also introduced, ensuring that any oil originating from works carried out on the boats does not end up in the sea.

Photo: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri

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