BirdLife oppose 'destructive' ODZ quarry proposal

BirdLife Malta has strongly opposed the planned development of a new quarry in an ODZ area of Wied Moqbol, Zurrieq

In a statement released today, the conservationist group said the development would mean the further destruction of pristine, green land, "strictly protected under the EU’s Birds and Habitats directives as a Natura 2000 site," as well as further disturbing an internationally important seabird colony. Two species of seabird, the Scopoli’s and the Yelkouan Shearwater, the latter being listed as Vulnerable (Redlist of the IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature), nest at the site.

The nesting habits of both species, which are sensitive to light and noise pollution, would be put at risk by further development and excavation works, Birdlife said.

The conservationists are insisting that all stakeholders in the decision making process, in particular MEPA, “continue to live up to their responsibilities and halt this unnecessary and destructive development in an ODZ.”