Update 12/12/2024 – 289 Objections in a few days – keep them coming! No prizes for perseverance, but the site owners surely try their luck! Another application was filed for rock-cutting to create new salt pans in the area named as Għar Tal-Ħdejda, Zebbug (Gozo). The plan shows it clearly cuts (literally) through the single Read More
375 divers were treated at the Hyperbaric chambers in Malta and Gozo over the last five years. Sadly, official statistics list 31 deaths, averaging three a year. Statistics tabled in Parliament related to diving accidents and diving deaths show a grim number which however needs to be put into the context. These islands now receive Read More
Posted by Max Valli of PDSA: Professional Diving Schools Association Malta in the afternoon of 27 November 2024 on FB (Diving Instructors Group) “Hello everyone, Last up date for the buoys. Today we collected the buoys of P31, Hephaestus, Cominoland and Tug2. Tomorrow we will start early, from 7.30 till around 8.30/9.00 with Karwela. We Read More
Last summer, Sharklab-Malta carried out a set of research dives at the Marine Protected Area of Filfla with the aim of researching the population of rays and other species in the zone, building up on past research. With the assistance of volunteer local divers, they scoured the sea around Filfla to take stock of the Read More
Despite over 300 objections were filed by divers and other parties on the proposed upgrade at Wied iZ-Zurrieq which will result in less parking spots for divers, the Malta Tourism Authority has filed in a note in the application process stating that it does not have any objections to the proposal! Questions were sent on Read More
Recently, this PDF file with pictures and hyperlinks to additional information of many forms of life found around the Maltese coastline was shared on the local Diving Instructors’ social media group. This guide, which has been put together by Australian Diving Instructor Bruno Pedreira who works for Bezz Diving is a good start for finding Read More
Over several weekends this summer, Sharklab-Malta ran the “Bombs to Batoids” project with the assistance of volunteer citizen science divers, the research team of Sharklab-Malta, Galaxy Charters and the Environment, and Resources Authority of Malta. Divers carried out circa 160 scientifically planned dives at the Filfla Marine Protected area keeping sharp eyes for different species Read More
The “Ultimate guide to diving the Maltese Islands” is now out for sale from leading bookshops and dive centres. This Fifth edition has been updated with many new pictures and wrecks, and includes a dedicated section for the wrecks managed by the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit at Heritage Malta. This book is the fruit of Read More
You may have read already about the article we posted about the Wied iż-Żurrieq proposed refurbishment project which divers called out as potentially resulting in less accessibility. 13 days later we are very happy to report that 334 representations have been sent by divers to the project as filed with the Planning Authority through our Read More
Local media reports that a British diver aged 66 died after encountering difficulties during a dive at Cirkewwa Marine Park. From information gained on site, just before 11am the diver who was in the company of a small group surfaced mid-way to the wreck of the P29 Patrol Boat. The group called for help and Read More
The Faculty of Science at the University of Malta announced that an intake is in progress for a short course (1 Semester – Part-time one a week in the evenings) in Marine Biology. Persons with no University background in the past but a keen interest in the marine evironment will find this interesting and eye-opening. Read More
Update Tuesday 08/10/2024 at 08:30 316 Representations sent, more than 75% from local divers, but a sizeable amount also from non-local but frequently visiting divers. Thanks for your support and interest in your own access to this diving site. We saw some comments against boat operators and fishermen, which should not be the case. It Read More
The Sunday Times of Malta reported that a Hyperbaric Consultant was “to face criminal charges for involuntary homicide” in relation to the death of Krzysztof Białecki’s death at 43 years of age in what was a dark day for diving in the Maltese Islands. Krzysztof was in fact the second victim of a dive gone Read More
Timesofmalta.com reports that Police announced that a 51 year old Polish diver was hospitalised in a serious condition following a dive at Xatt l-Aħmar, a shore dive location in Gozo. The location has four shore accessible artificial reefs, with their maximum depths ranging between 35 to 46m. A diver was hospitalised on Tuesday after finding Read More
The Times of Malta reports today that the Hyperbaric chamber consultant who had been in charge of treating Polish diver Krzysztof Białecki who died in July this year has been suspended pending an internal investigation launched by the Hospital. The claim is made that during the diver’s treatment, the Consultant left had left the Hyperbaric Read More
Local media reports today that a difficult rescue operation was carried out at Wied iż-Żurrieq, limits of the village of Qrendi, a diving site known well as being the entry point for diving the Wreck of the Um-el-Faroud wreck. Images published on local media and accompanying reports and statements indicate that both a helicopter and Read More
The main shore accessible Conservation Areas around Wrecks are now off limits to any boating activity save for diving support vessels, and exclude trolling fishing from continuing in these sites. A new notice to mariners published today addresses the safety concern that freedivers and scuba divers have been raising over the years! Thanks to TM Read More
Sharklab-Malta are invited the general diving public to participate in an international initiative aimed at gathering vital information about sharks, skates and rays around the world by utilizing citizen science, whilst raising conservation awareness about the importance of these creatures in our oceans. We are emailing you to raise awareness of an event called the Read More
One of our followers brought this article to our attention, an interview with Professor Timothy Gambin giving an overview of the history, present and future for underwater cultural heritage (including the many wrecks) around the Maltese Islands. The direct link to the article is https://indepthmag.com/a-dive-into-maltas-underwater-cultural-heritage-with-maritime-archeologist-timmy-gambin/, or follow the Facebook post below.
Over the last few days, two sightings were reported of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, a highly endangered species which had not been seen in Malta for decades! In the first sighting out at sea, the seal was just spotted coming up for air, whilst in the second sighting, the seal was spotted in a cavern Read More
Local media has shared the sad news that two Polish divers, 45 and 48 years old died after finding themselves in difficulty during a dive on the Le Polynesien, a World War 1 Wreck a few kilometres outside of the town of Marsaskala. Press & Police reports Timesofmalta.com initially shared a press release by the Read More
On 3 July 2024, Transport Malta has replaced the former Notice 062 of 2024 – Safe distance and speed from diver flags signals with Notice 069 of 2024 – Safe Distance and speed from Diver Flag signals. In a nutshell, the notice states that: (correction: a previous version of this post stated that speed limits Read More
NTM 64 of 2024 – Filming in the North of Malta issued by Transport Malta between 11 and 31 July. Sites include Ċirkewwa South Quay, Ras il-Qammieħ and other site nor frequently visited by divers.Distance required during filming and no anchoring. https://www.transport.gov.mt/maritime/notices-to-mariners-coastal/local-notice-to-mariners-2336
The Malta Ranger Unit has launched a reporting portal for reporting environmental crimes which may be monitored by the unit and bring in to the attention of relevant authorities. This can include marine littering and illegal activities in marine protected areas. The reporting portal, available at https://malta-ranger-unit.atlassian.net/…/customer/portals lets you register and follow your cases. However, Read More
The Malta Ranger Unit recently posted on social media another case of illegal spearfishing at night, this time at Slugs Bay, limits of Mellieha It’s the law. No matter how much spearfishing can be a selective fishing practice, at night with lights it is illegal. Same goes with spearfishing with SCUBA at any time. Want Read More
Ambjent Malta is advertising free snorkel tours open for adults. Details below In English: Join us for an educational snorkeling tour to discover the diverse marine habitats in our Marine Protected Areas at Golden Bay and Riviera.This activity is free of charge and open for all the family members above the age of 18 years. Read More
The Institute of Tourism Studies has announced the next intake for the Bachelor of Science in Diving Safety Management for which interested candidates may join on a Full-time or Part-time basis. More information from the below links. Full -time: https://its.edu.mt/course?course_code=UG-DSM Part -time: https://its.edu.mt/course?course_code=PT6DSM Courses begin on 30th September 2024
Over the last few weeks, Sharklab-Malta with the assistance of many local volunteer divers and photographers has carried out surveys around the Marine Protected Area around the small island of Filfla. 35 years after being declared the first Marine Protected Area in the Maltese Archipelago, what were the results? Join Sharklab-Malta and the other volunteers Read More
We received the follow call by a local researcher who is carrying out a survey related to wreck diving by tourists in the Maltese Islands. Glad to help Shaun I’m Shaun Cardona, currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Diving Safety Management at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) in Malta. For my thesis, I am conducting Read More
Transport Malta has announced in Notice to Mariners 047 of 2024 that restrictions may be occur on South quay usage due to survey on some day(s) between this Friday and the Thursday after.
Transport Malta announced in a local notice to mariners No. 033 of 2024 a total of 17 sites reserved for swimmers, in which fishing and/or marine vessel navigation is not allowed. These sites are to be cordoned off with ropes and floating markers. The notice to mariners is attached below, and includes both GPS points Read More
In a notice published in the government gazette of the 22 March 2024, the Environment and Resources Authority declared Fessej Rock, located just under the South shore of Gozo, east of the exit of Mgarr ix-Xini as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of National Importance. This SAC therefore now falls under the remit of Read More
As part of our continued chasing to ensure that the 2022 Diving strategy does not meet the fate of the 2012 one (mainly forgotten), we keep an eye on developments and prod sometimes to ask for updates. Whilst answers from the Malta Tourism Authority have not been forthcoming, rather, quite the opposite, questions made in Read More
The Cirkewwa Marine Park management has announced that next week works will start on the demolition and eventual replacement of the Lantern at the Cirkewwa Marine Park. During these works over the coming three days (1 – 3 April), for safety reasons, diving underneath the lantern general area is not recommended. The bathrooms during this Read More
The tragic death of a 45 year old diver at the Cirkewwa Marine Park on Tuesday 26 March 2024, which could have been worse had another 17 divers not been rescued or assisted in the rough seas at Cirkewwa has triggered plenty of discussions. Whilst initially some (including us) would have thought things just went Read More
Media announced that following a rescue operation at the Ċirkewwa Marine Park diving site, in the north of Malta, one diver was reported dead on arrival at hospital whilst another 17 were rescued with no critical injuries. Later in the day, news reports were updated with the information that the deceased diver is a 45 Read More
Newsbook reports today that the Environment and Resources Authority together with the police caught a diver with over 1,000 protected sea urchins in his possession off Zonqor Point, Marsascala. Sea Urchins have last summer been subject of a two-year harvesting moratoria, after a study carried out in 2019 revealed a miniscule amount of sea urchins Read More
As of Saturday 9 March 2024, 90 protest emails were sent – join them – read the below! Edit: a previous verison of this post had the Minister’s answer to the second question pasted incorrectly. Most divers were baffled with the unbelievable U-turn on fishing in conservation zones around wrecks which we reported on last Read More