CIRKEWWA VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE (CVMR)

[Antonio Anastasi]

Last year a process was started in order to operate the area of Cirkewwa as a VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE, (VMR).

The idea behind this is so that, through the goodwill of the various groups using the area, we manage the site following an universally agreed on code of practice. This to educate and therefore ensure a sustainable future for all our activities.

The groups that use the site are Anglers, traditional shore fishermen, part time fishermen as well as recreational fishermen, divers and occasionally Bird Watchers.

Another group of users that used to use the site are Apnea spear fishermen. While spearfishing is illegal at Cirkewwa, we would appreciate that representatives of the spearfishing community  participate and give us the benefit of their experience.

We would like to contact spokespersons from the various groups to discuss how we can all cooperate and, together, create an universally accepted code of practice. The representatives of these groups will be asked to form part of the management committee, which are anticipated to meet on regular established dates.

Some of the other aims for the group are to place placards educating people on the value of the site.

To set up an information and monitoring centre.

Collect information on the marine environment at Cirkewwa by continuing to organize regular studies of the site, to put into a database for future comparisons.

Have rangers in place to educate and ensure that laws are not broken, like in the case of the laying of paritii within 200M of the artificial wrecks.

Organize educational events like the recent SEA AWARENESS event held recently https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.208244255897509.64320.148862331835702&type=1

In this event especially, the help of Anglers to educate these young minds on sustainable angling techniques would have been welcome.

We are hoping to organize other such events. Having a stand or information available regarding Maltese traditional fishing culture would go a long way in educating people that they too have choices that can influence a sustainable future for fishermen.

If any group is interested in participating on this project please contact me on tonio_divemalta@yahoo.com.