Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1479531
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 SEPTEMBER 2022 4 NEWS MANY entities, non-govern- mental organizations, local councils, and citizens took part in World Clean-up Day, which was celebrated on Saturday. As part of the activities organized by the Saving Our Blue cam- paign, within the Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Enterprise, there were hun- dreds of participants who took part to give their contribution to cleaner beaches and valleys. On this day, the collaboration of Zibel, Ambjent Malta, and Parks Malta among others, led to the collection of a substantial amount of waste including plas- tic, metal, ropes, fishing equip- ment, tires, pipes, and other bulky waste such as cars and car parts. It was estimated that in four months, the amount of waste collected reached over 15 tonnes. Apart from the clean-ups, the campaign also thought of pass- ing on educational messages. In collaboration with Nature Trust Malta and EkoSkola, work was done to raise awareness among the younger generation about the need to reduce the use of single-use plastic. The damage that this type of waste does to marine species is huge. The public is encouraged to use alternative products such as cloth tote bags, and cloth vege- table bags instead of plastic ones when buying vegetables and re- usable bottles among others. The consumption of local food products also contributes to sustainability. Processed foods that are pre-packaged increase waste. The young students had the opportunity to interact with the Environment and Resourc- es Authority, where they con- tinued to explain what one can do to protect the environment. During this program, the stu- dents had the opportunity to meet Maggie the sea turtle, who is the hero of the Saving Our Blue Campaign. Following the positive feedback we re- ceived last year regarding the introduction of the adventures of Maggie the sea turtle and her friends, the second series of these episodes has been dis- tributed to students to continue following her adventures! Another initiative of the Min- istry for the Environment, Ener- gy, and Enterprise was the pilot project that led to the instal- lation of 40 ballot bins on the beaches. With these containers, we are encouraging people to throw cigarette butts into them, in- stead of throwing them on the sand. In this way, we avoid con- tamination in the sand and in our seas. However, the campaign does not stop here. The work con- tinues throughout the year. The public is invited to keep follow- ing Saving Our Blue on social media for more initiatives and activities planned ahead. Collaborators for World clean-up day and other clean-ups in general: - AM - Birzebbuga Scout Group - Bt Commercial - Birzebbuga Local Council - CSAC - ERA - Enemalta - ERRC - Happy Soap - HSBC - Igen - Ikkuluriti - JCA - National Aquarium - Mellieha Local Council - Mgarr Local Council - Parks - Nature Trust - QSIM - SGS Scout - The Malta Police - Wasteserv - Water Service Corporation - Zibel Other collaborations during the 4th edition - Eden - Sea-EU - Zebbug Scout Group - Fes (Skola Sajf) - Xaghra Local Council - Xaghra Scout Group - Riskcap - Victoria Scout Group - Majjistral Nature Park - Sharklab - Circular Economy Malta - Malta Girl Guides Gozo Section - St Julian's Local Council - Saghtrija Childcare Centre - Malta Libraries - Community Policing on behalf of The Malta Police Force Being part of the solution Qawra Point made nature reserve MAT THEW VELLA THE minister for environment has designated Qawra Point, a notorious spot for poaching, as a nature reserve. The move by minister Mir- iam Dalli comes a year after Birdlife Malta reiterated the need to turn the area into a nature reserve, after the killing of Greater Flamingos at Qawra Point. As a nature reserve, Qawra Point will now be protected notwithstanding any deliberate or accidental cause that could damage the environs, and the area will banned for vehicles, hunting and trapping, or any other activity that could neg- atively impact the biodiversity or integrity and landscape of the reserve. As a nature reserve, there will be also a ban on any loud music or any excessive noise or light, open fires, or any commercial activity without a permit. Any offences will be punisha- ble first by a €750 fine for each damaged or killed specimen in the area, to a maximum of €5,000; or €1,500 in the case of a second or subsequent offence up to €10,000, or even a two- year prison sentence. Qawra Point is a small islet is very well placed for migrato- ry birds to find refuge on and with its vicinity to BirdLife Malta's Salina Nature Reserve, birds coming in or out of the reserve have been targeted by hunters in this area. The area is close to the res- idential area of Qawra and many residents have com- plained about the continuous illegal use of bird callers. Even bathers feel unsafe with hunters aiming their guns at water birds. BirdLife had in the past presented the government a guardianship deed agreement to take over the area, howev- er this had to be refused until hunting is banned from the area.