Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543090
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 6 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Vessels operating nearby would be required to switch off all non-essential external lights be- tween sunset and sunrise, except where required for safety, navi- gation or fishing. Camping fires would be banned in high-risk ar- eas within the Natura 2000 site at Il-Qawra, following repeated fire damage in recent years. Speaking at the launch, Minis- ter Miriam Dalli described the consultation as "an important step in safeguarding one of Mal- ta's most iconic natural sites", stressing that conservation must go hand in hand with responsi- ble enjoyment. Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said the regula- tions seek a "balanced approach" that protects Dwejra's unique value while ensuring sustainable use for present and future gener- ations. ERA CEO Kevin Mercieca said public submissions would be critical in shaping the final reg- ulations before their publication as a Legal Notice under the Envi- ronment Protection Act. Dwejra should remain dark However, the proposed frame- work triggered reaction from Din l-Art Ħelwa, Wirt Għawdex and other environmental, herit- age and scientific organisations, which argue that the draft law effectively weakens long-estab- lished protections for Dwejra, particularly its dark-sky status. In a statement titled "Act Now and Save Dwejra", the eNGOs accused the government of pro- posing legislation that would permit artificial lighting at the site, contradicting both the Gozo and Comino Local Plan and a 2019 Court of Appeal rul- ing. That judgment confirmed that development and associated impacts at Dwejra were incom- patible with its designation as a Natura 2000 site and Dark Sky Heritage Area, and underlined the importance of preserving natural darkness. The NGO warned that the pro- posal follows a "worrying pat- tern" of introducing new laws to legalise impacts that courts had previously found unlawful. It stressed that artificial lighting is not a minor issue, citing scien- tific evidence that light pollution disrupts ecosystems and diso- rients seabirds such as shear- waters, while undermining the very characteristics that justified Dwejra's protection. Environmental groups are calling for the regulations to ex- plicitly state that Dwejra must remain dark from sunset to sun- rise, with no exceptions. The public consultation on the draft Dwejra Protection and Management Regulations is open until 3 March 2026. ERA has invited stakeholders and members of the public to submit their feedback through its web- site. Meanwhile, Din l-Art Ħelwa is urging the public to lodge formal objections by email, insisting that any form of artificial light- ing at Dwejra would represent a fundamental breach of its pro- tected status. eNGOs warn that proposed legislation would 'permit artificial lighting at the site' Posters created by eNGOs in protest Gozo Channel hit by cyber attack, ferry operations not affected THE Gozo Channel company was hit by a cyber attack earlier on Tuesday, but the incident did not affect ferry operations. In a statement, the compa- ny said the incident affected certain IT systems, but the IT infrastructure and established contingency measures enabled the incident to be contained promptly. "The company wishes to reas- sure the public that ferry oper- ations remain fully unaffected. Services are running according to the standard timetable, and all vessels continue to operate nor- mally." The company said technical teams are working to restore im- pacted administrative systems and to ensure all assets return to full operational capability in due course. It will also engage specialist cyber security forensic experts to support the investiga- tion and recover process. The cyber security incident did not affect ferry operations