The impact of tourism in the Mediterranean

Mediterranean Islands and coastal areas are becoming increasingly impacted by mass tourism especially during the summer months. These regions, which are characterised by rich and fragile ecosystems, are under pressure due to rapid urbanisation. Massive influxes of tourists, often to a relatively small area, add to the pollution, waste and water needs of the local population, putting local infrastructure and habitats under enormous pressure. The concept of sustainable tourism is therefore becoming increasingly popular to reach a balance between the economic, environmental and socio-cultural dimensions.

As part of Blue Islands, an EU-Funded Project, Wasteserv, in collaboration with Nature Trust, is currently conducting periodic beach surveys to identify how waste generation varies seasonally and how it is affected by tourism.

The surveys are being carried out at three beaches − Golden Bay which is highly touristic, Ġnejna Bay being remote and Ballut ta’ Marsaxlokk as mostly frequented by the locals.

The surveys consist in the collection, characterisation and quantification of micro- and macro-plastics at the selected beaches. The samples are shipped to Spain for analysis by the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which is also a partner in the Blue Islands project.

Preliminary findings indicate that the categories of litter collected in the largest quantities at all of the three beaches are plastic / polystyrene and paper / cardboard. Other categories of litter collected from the beaches include rubber, cloth, wood, metal, glass, pottery / ceramics, sanitary waste, medical waste, faeces, paraffin / wax pieces and other pollutants.

The same beach surveys are being carried out by the other project partners namely Cyprus, Mykonos, Crete, Rab, Sicily, Sardinia and Mallorca.

The findings from these Mediterranean Islands will be conjoined into a comprehensive report to be used for measuring the seasonal variation of waste in the Mediterranean Islands by developing a correlation index between tourism and waste. In addition, tools will be created to actually redress the consequences of seasonal increase in waste.

Meanwhile, during the summer period, Wasteserv took the initiative of collecting recyclable waste from Blue Flag beaches, namely Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieha and Għadira Bay.

This has resulted in the collection of a total of three tonnes of plastic, glass and metal. Wasteserv, through its promoters, also carried out a number of interviews at these beaches to gather information on public perception. The overall feedback was that most of the people interviewed are content with the cleanliness of the beaches. Suggestions received from the people interviewed will be useful for the improvement of waste separation and collection services.

These initiatives were promoted recently during a press event addressed by Dr José Herrera, Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change. During this event at Golden Sands, Nature Trust also released two turtles following rehabilitation from injuries and damage sustained as a result of marine debris such as fishing hooks and lines.

The Blue Islands project is funded by the Interreg MED instrument with an 85% EU co-financing and is being implemented over a period of three years.