Din l-Art Ħelwa marine environment photographic competition

For the sixth consecutive year Din l-Art Ħelwa organised a photographic competition with the aim to raise awareness about our marine environment. This forms part of the Blue Campaign on which Din l-Art Ħelwa is presently working.

The negative effects which certain fishing implements have on the fish population has been known since years. Continuous dredging of the seabed and uncontrolled use of nets with small mesh sizes are contributing to the depletion of fish in the Mediterranean. Illegal fishing of small and immature tuna and swordfish is also contributing to the decrease of these important sources of healthy food.

A prize-giving event took place at Din l-Art Ħelwa Headquarters, 133, Melita Str Valletta, on Saturday 29 September at 8.30pm. There were 16 entries participating this year under two categories. Category A depicted Sea Pollution or any other negative effects of human activity on the sea or coastal environment. Category B involved photos showing the beauty of underwater life.

A prize of €250 was awarded by Prof. Patrick Schembri from the University Department of Biology and a Marine Biologist.Mr Didier Lauterborn was the winner of category A with a photo showing Flotsam on the Surface of the Sea, while Ms Sonia Silvio won category B with the photo entitled Shades of Yellow at Submarine Cave at Menqa. .

Din l-Art Helwa believes such an exhibition helps raise awareness of the importance of our beautiful marine and coastal environment and the necessity to protect it.