Opening up Malta’s underwater artefacts
One of the areas newly appointed Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Jose Herrera wants to focus on is marine archaeology, he told The Malta Independent during an interview published yesterday.
This particular sector in Malta has not been given much importance in the past, and given the island’s important role in Mediterranean’s history, and its use as a strategic harbour over the centuries, the seabed around Malta is littered with archaeological findings.
Minister Herrera explained that with underwater artefacts dating back to Punic and Roman times, Malta has one of the best maritime archaeological areas in the world, which could potentially boost the country’s tourism product. One of his visions is for there to be small submarine tours which would take people closer to such archaeological artefacts.
This would, indeed, open up Malta’s shipwrecks to a wider audience, and perhaps this could also be extended to tours focusing on Malta’s underwater natural beauty as well. This could be a good project but certain issues first need to be studied to ensure that no damage – be it to the artefacts themselves or the environment – result from such activity. Restrictions might also need to be imposed
Let’s start with the positive aspects of such an idea. In addition to the benefit this can have on tourism, it will also be quite a cultural experience for locals as well.
But there are other, less obvious, benefits. Firstly, by increasing the importance of Malta’s underwater area from a tourism aspect, more attention will be placed on the importance of safeguarding the seabed and coastal area from pollution. Perhaps more environmental awareness would be raised as a result of this.
A closer eye would then be kept on people who would otherwise pollute Malta’s sea, and the damage caused by coastal construction could indeed be brought to the fore more easily.
One thing that would need to be studied through this proposal, however, is the impact of such submarines in terms of the pollution they emit. Standards as to what vehicles the private sector should be allowed to use for such operations must be set and enforced.
The effects of frequent submarine visits on marine life would also need to be assessed, and limits on the number of such tours may need to be imposed.
While it is a very interesting proposal, aside from what is detailed above, further examination needs to be considered before rushing into any decisions, especially in light of the environmental impact such submarines can have on Malta’s marine environment. While the minister has said that the ministry has already been in contact with a small submarine driver who is being given the go-ahead to apply for a licence to provide such tours, perhaps the government should slow down and carry out all the necessary studies if it has not already done so.
If the project does not cause any harm, then it is to be praised, but if it does more harm than good, then perhaps holding would be the more sensible option.
Obviously, precautions would need to be taken if the idea is to go through, and strict boundaries would need to be set in order for operators not to get too close to these priceless artefacts.