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MW 29 March 2017

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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 29 MARCH 2017 News 6 Ahead of Malta fisheries summit, WWF calls for strict controls MATTHEW VELLA THE World Wildlife Fund has called on countries in the Medi- terranean region to agree on a single, unique and effective gov- ernance for both EU and non-EU fisheries, ahead of an important conference in Malta for the fu- ture of Mediterranean fisheries today. The WWF said a single ap- proach was fundamental to guarantee sustainable fish stocks and a healthy and pro- ductive Mediterranean Sea for present and future generations. "The inter-ministerial declara- tion to be signed this week is the last call to save the Mediterra- nean fish stocks and guarantee long-term livelihoods for future generations. Mediterranean fish stocks can no longer be sus- tained by intentions but by con- crete actions. WWF welcomes the Malta Declaration and is eager to contribute to the swift implementation of the actions agreed under it," the WWF said. The European Commission's conference today is a signifi- cant political push to address the alarming state of stocks and its impact on the industry and coastal communities. The conference, led by EU fish- eries commissioner Karmenu Vella, will culminate with the signature of the Malta MedFi- sh4Ever declaration, that sets the work in the area the next 10 years on critical issues such as small-scale fisheries, fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Over the past fifty years, fish- ing in the Mediterranean has massively intensified, driven by industrialization, and Mediter- ranean fish stocks remain in cri- sis: 93% of stocks assessed by the STECF (the scientific committee of the European Commission) Development spills into Sacred Heart area JAMES DEBONO THE quaint residential area in the vicinity of the Sacred Heart convent in St Julian's is set for more construction activity. After approving a massive eight-storey block in the garden of the Cloisters, a stately build- ing in Mrabat Street, the Plan- ning Authority has approved a six-storey apartment block in- stead of a two storey old building located further uphill on Triq is- Sorrijiet. Originally the project proposed by Core Properties Limited, en- visioned the complete demoli- tion and re-construction of the existing two-storey building over 382 square metres and its substitution with a five-storey block with a receded sixth f loor. But following the intervention of the Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage, part of the build- ing fronting Sacred Heart street will be demolished due to some of its architectural features. The case officer contends that the other part of the site which will be demolished has no "tra- ditional architectural features that are worthy of retention and the streetscape has already been compromised by recent develop- ment". The PA has also recently ap- proved four new stories on the façade of the two-storey Casa Pinto guesthouse in Sacred Heart Street.

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