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7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 JUNE 2025 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION Restoring the underwater meadows On 28th May 2025, stakeholders, scien- tists, NGOs, and government represent- atives gathered in Malta to celebrate the remarkable progress of Neptune: The Seagrass Restoration Project in the Mediterranean Sea. Led locally by Prof. Alan Deidun and the Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG) within the Department of Geosciences of the University of Malta, this pioneering pro- ject is at the forefront of marine resto- ration, focusing on the transplantation of meadows of Posidonia oceanica—a vital seagrass species—within marine areas from where the same meadows have been lost in recent years. The Neptune project is a collaborative initiative, bringing together the exper- tise and commitment of several interna- tional and local partners. In Malta, Prof. Deidun's team—comprising Mr. Alessio Marrone, Dr. Adam Gauci, Ms. Audrey Zammit, and Mr. David Ramirez—has been instrumental in conducting sci- entific research, fieldwork, and moni- toring. They work in close cooperation with MedSea Foundation, under the sci- entific direction of Dr. Francesca Frau, who has played a crucial role in leading the transplantation activities. The pro- ject is funded by prominent partners, including CMA CGM and Fondation de la Mer, reflecting a strong international backing for marine conservation efforts in the Mediterranean. A key moment in the project took place in November 2024, when the first phase of transplantation was conduct- ed in Qawra Bay. With Dr. Frau's team and assisted by Marrone, approximately 100 square metres of Posidonia ocean- ica—also known as the Neptune sea- grass—were successfully transplanted. These activities were carried out with the operational support of the Orange Shark Diving Centre, ensuring precision and logistical support in placing the seagrass in suitable locations. The results, as presented during the event, are promising. A monitoring sur- vey conducted on 24th May 2025 con- firmed that roughly 90% of the trans- planted seagrass is still in place and thriving. This high survival rate not only validates the methodology adopted but also offers hope for larger-scale res- toration efforts planned for the upcom- ing autumn, when additional degraded areas in Qawra Bay will be targeted. The event drew an impressive lineup of attendees, demonstrating the wide- spread support for marine conservation in Malta. Government entities such as the Environment and Resources Au- thority (ERA), Aquatic Resources Malta (ARM) and the Climate Action Authority were present, along with several NGOs including Nature Trust, Sharklab and Birdlife Malta, the PDSA diving commu- nity, and the Malta National Aquarium. These groups, all actively engaged in marine protection, praised the project's transparent scientific approach and the tangible results achieved so far. Among the event's keynote guests was Hon. Miriam Dalli, Malta's Minister for the Environment, who reaffirmed the government's support for initiatives that tackle marine degradation and climate change. "Restoring our natural marine habitats is essential for the re- silience of our islands," she stated. "Pro- jects like Neptune demonstrate how scientific collaboration can drive envi- ronmental progress." The importance of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, which only cover an estimated 2% of the Mediterranean seabed, cannot be overstated. As one of the most effective natural carbon sinks in the Mediterranean, this sea- grass plays a critical role in mitigating climate change. It also serves as a nurs- ery for marine biodiversity, helps to sta- bilize the seabed, protects shorelines from erosion, and produces significant amounts of oxygen. Unfortunately, large swathes of seagrass meadows have been lost in recent decades due to pollution, coastal development, and anchoring damage. By restoring these underwater mead- ows, the Neptune project is not only helping to reverse environmental dam- age but is also reinforcing Malta's role as a leader in Mediterranean marine conservation. With the new transplan- tation phases already planned and strong institutional backing, the initia- tive sets a powerful precedent for the rest of the region. Further information about the Nep- tune project can be gleaned through underwater clips shared on the OM- RG's YouTube channel. Malta looks to the future, projects like Neptune offer a hopeful vision—one where science, policy, and community engagement come together to heal the sea. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli Neptune Project marks success in Qawra Bay Birzebbuga's Water's Edge Hotel set for expansion DEVELOPER Charles Polidano is proposing a two-storey ex- tension to the Water's Edge Hotel, which already dominates views of Pretty Bay in Birżeb- buġa. The extension will comprise of an additional eight level, and a receded ninth level with over- lying pool facilities. Moreover, five floors, three of which are recessed, are pro- posed for an adjacent building, creating a stepped transition from a nearby five-storey struc- ture and thereby minimising the creation of blank party walls. Polidano is also seeking to regularise an outdoor alumin- ium enclosure and outdoor ta- bles and chairs, and to reclas- sify the building from a guest house to a hotel. The additional floors are being proposed under a policy that allows hotels to rise two floors above the height limitation set out in the local plan. The exist- ing hotel was approved in 2007 as a "reconstruction of an al- ready existing guest house". In 2022, an application by tu- na magnate Charles Azzopardi to add two extra storeys to the seven-storey Sea Breeze Hotel was withdrawn following ob- jections by 650 residents, in- cluding the local council. The application was with- drawn after the case officer rec- ommended refusal, citing that the Height Limitation Adjust- ment Policy for Hotels permits two additional floors above the height limitation set in the lo- cal plan only if "the resultant design features a high-quality product in keeping with the ur- ban context and no blank walls are created." In that case, the exposed blank party walls on Triq il-Bajja s-Sabiħa were deemed to have a negative visual impact on the streetscape and urban context. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The Water's Edge Hotel in Birzebbuga, will increase by two-stories, as indicated by the red outline

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