Manoel Island project threatens Gzira fishers’ moorings

Gzira’s amateur fishermen’s association Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira expressed dismay at MIDI’s latest proposals for the development of Manoel Island, over the loss of moorings and their slipway.

The association said that MIDI had said that important sites were to be preserved. “Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira agrees with the efforts to preserve sites of historical importance. However, at no point has MIDI expressed concern for the fishermen and small boat owners who use the port of Gzira to launch and moor their vessels.”

The association said that if land reclamation goes ahead and the slipway and facilities are removed as is envisaged in MIDI’s plans, boat owners will be at a loss as to where they can launch and moor their vessels.

The latest proposed plans include a much larger and higher bridge compared to the current Manoel Island bridge.

“If this is the case a marine fairway will have to be created which will add to the loss of moorings already being caused by the proposed land reclamation. Additionally, a large tract of water along the shore of Manoel Island will be reserved for use by yacht yard customers, further limiting the space available for Malta’s hobby fishermen and small boat owners.”

A large lido along the Gzira shoreline, albeit not owned by MIDI, has already been approved by the Planning Authority, promising a loss of mooring spaces.

“MIDI’s proposals will only compound this situation and make it harder for people of limited means to find a spot for their vessels.  Despite the new plans seeming more attractive than those of 20 years ago, Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira is strongly protesting against this threathened loss of the slipway which its members have been using for over 70 years.

“The port of Gzira will also lose over 100 mooring points meaning that the famously attractive Maltese fishing boats will disappear from the Gzira shore which they have adorned for generations, fascinating locals and tourists alike.”

The members of Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira said they had a strong emotional and psychological tie to the sea. “Our way of life is under severe threat from this development. Proposed changes are expected to cause trauma and grief for a lot of fishermen and small boat owners... Għaqda Sajjieda Dilettanti Gżira represents common people who do not deserve to be treated with such disrespect by the wealthy and powerful. This is not the kind of treatment that is to be expected in a civilised democratic nation like ours.”