A bit of humor (verging on tragi-comic) that we came across whilst searching for some information for another article…
Back in 2007, an opposition MP managed to mistakenly call the Cirkewwa Marine Park’s first artificial reef, the Tug Boat Rozi as “Roza” when submitting a parliamentary question.
The replying Minister, apart from correcting him on the error, remarked that actually there was an application to put a second wreck next to it (eventually the P29), which would be renamed as “Wenzu”.
For the non-Maltese, “Wenzu and Rozi” are the names of a old Maltese couple in a book by Dr George Zammit which served as the basis for a television series with the same name in the 70s and later resurrected.
So it seems the minister’s plan didn’t succeed on renaming the P29… but then again, neither had his remark that “any form of fishing” within 200m of the wrecks would be banned… which only happened last week since trolling was still allowed until then (Edit 01/12/2023 – Ban lasted only for two weeks!).
The Honorable EVARIST BARTOLO asked the Honorable GEORGE PULLICINO (Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment):What will be done with the idea that there was to conserve the area where there are sunken remains of the ship “Roża” which is used by divers and recently there was someone who threw a net and disturbed the fish of ‘ the area?
Answer:I am informed that the Honorable Intreppelant probably has the name of the wrong ship and actually wants to refer to “Rozi” which is located near the coast of Cirkewwa where there is currently an application to land an old patrol boat next to this tug boat and it is called “Wenzu”. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) is in discussions together with the Division of Veterinary Services and Fisheries so that the biodiversity in the areas of sunken ships and other artificial reefs is protected by law. The Division of Veterinary Services and Fisheries agrees that all artificial reefs must have an area of 200 meters of sea around them closed to any form of fishing.
