Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1463329
11 COMMERCIAL 31.3.2022 local economy is not that high. This raises the question of whether we need to create more employment opportuni- ties at sea and how this could be done without compromising the marine en- vironment." highlights Ms Attard. "The survey also clearly shows that maritime and coastal spaces are highly valued by the public for recreational ac- tivities such as diving, fishing, bathing and walking on promenades. Bathing (77%) proved to be the most popular recreational activity amongst Maltese, with Sliema being the most popular. This is not surprising since this local- ity is one of the most populated areas and has the longest coast immediately adjoining the conurbation. Coastal walks were the second most popular recreational marine-related activity, and this ap- peared to be more attractive for the old- er generations." continued Ms Attard. When it comes to what opportunities the future holds for sea-related activi- ties, the survey shows that Maltese see the potential and the multiplier effect of further growth in this area. While tour- ism enjoys pride of place, with 80.6% claiming that this sector offers Malta enormous opportunities, 60.4% iden- tified transportation as a possible sec- tor for growth. "What is disheartening is that 96 per cent of respondents said they were un- willing to participate in the future of Marine Spatial Planning." she shares. "This is concerning, as public participa- tion is key to forming transparent, ro- bust maritime plans. Public participa- tion is actually part of the data required to develop an MSP plan. What does this show us? It is quite clear that we need to find new ways of encouraging people's choice to get involved. Here new, less rigid models of participation need to be explored – one that moves away from the myth of a singular 'general public' toward one which is better adapted to engage in the social complexities of an increasingly globalized yet fragmented world; one that embraces community engagement and collaboration." notes Ms Attard. The outcomes of this survey, along with the PA's past work on the develop- ment of tools to encourage stakehold- ers and public involvement, will serve as foundation on the approach the PA will take for stakeholder engagement in light of the SPED Review. "The pandemic gave us all a new ap- preciation for nature, and, as the sur- vey reaffirmed, in Malta that includes appreciation for our seas. We saw that, when all else fails, nature is still there – but we must plan maritime uses care- fully to provide a sustainable future while at the same time ensure that the sea and all of its resources are protected and preserved too." concluded Ms At- tard. More information about the MSPMED project can be found online at https:// mspmed.eu/project/.