Conservation zones around wrecks in the Maltese Islands (Declared by Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture)
Most mariners and some divers as well don’t know which sites are protected as “Conservation Zones”. This page aims to show these with regard to location around the coast, and links them up with where one may get further information about the specific wrecks.
Why they are protected? Because these diving spots are an attraction for both local divers and incoming tourists, as well as a way to re-establish fish populations. They serve as nurseries, but once fish grow, they move around to surrounding areas. So it’s in everyone’s benefit to protect them!
Mariners are advised to keep out of these zones, with only diving support boats allowed (watch for White/Blue Flag). You may find further details into the following Notice to Mariners issued by Transport Malta
Please note: The zones indicated below are different from the Archaeological zones at sea in the following notice to mariners. Ensure that you keep well away if boating, to ensure the safety of divers!
Read more here: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/importance-marine-protected-areas/
Differences between conservation zones
With the most recent updates to the notice to mariners, the conservation zones restrictions are now split into two which we will call as “Category A – Highest protection”, and “Category B – Protection from benthic fishing”. The below explanations show the differences by quoting from the notice to mariners:
Category A – Highest protection – near zero navigation, zero fishing
“…vessels are to remain clean of the conservation area…” and “…spear fishing and the use of fishing gear such as trolling lines (rixa), set bottom lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets, encircling nets, demersal pots and traps are prohibited within…”
Fine for breaking this rule is €300 as per Small Ships Regulations, SL 499.52, Schedule three: “Entering, navigating, berthing, mooring, drifting, stopping or waiting in a prohibited area… €300”
An exception is given for diving boats conveying or picking up divers from that specific site: “only vessels engaged in recreation/technical diving operations are permitted to enter or moor within“
Category B – Protection from benthic fishing
“…vessels are to remain clean of the conservation area…” and “…spear fishing and the use of fishing gear such as trolling lines (rixa), set bottom lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets, encircling nets, demersal pots and traps are prohibited within…” and “With the exception of the conservation areas at Wied iz-Zurrieq, Off Xatt l-Ahmar, Marsascala, Off Cirkewwa and Off il-Ponta ta’ San Giljan…” [Note: these are the diving sites that are easily reached from shore and no navigation or fishing of all types is allowed within] “… the use of fishing such as trolling lines (rixa) is permitted within the other conservation areas subject that no diving vessel displaying the Alpha Flag is present”.
Therefore, if there is a divers’ boat, stay well away – normally 100m buffer (200m from P31 at Comino) from the spot at minimum. If not, you can pass carefully and fish with rixa, but not stop within the 100m buffer zone for the GPS co-ordinates in the notice.
Fine for breaking this rule is €300 as per Small Ships Regulations, SL 499.52, Schedule three: “Entering, navigating, berthing, mooring, drifting, stopping or waiting in a prohibited area… €300”
The Maps
Map screenshots thanks to Malta Ranger Unit’s online map – https://www.facebook.com/MaltaRangerUnit (click on the enlarge button / full screen to be able to customise to show just these conservation zones)
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