The Government must explain why the Malta Ranger Unit was excluded from the new management agreement for the Ċirkewwa Marine Park

The MRU’s work was delivering tangible results in protecting the area – another case showing that, for the Labour Government, environmental protection exists only on paper

The Partit Nazzjonalista insists that the Government and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) provide a clear explanation for the decision to exclude the Malta Ranger Unit (MRU) from the new agreement for the management of the Ċirkewwa Marine Park, despite the fact that the monitoring work carried out by the MRU in the area was delivering positive results and was appreciated by those who use the site.

The Malta Ranger Unit had been carrying out regular monitoring and reporting illegal activity to the Police and the relevant authorities, including illegal night-time spearfishing, the unlawful placing of fishing nets and boats exceeding speed limits.

Moreover, the MRU’s work led to a drastic reduction in serious illegal activity and to an improvement in marine life in an area regarded as the country’s most popular shore-diving site.

In other words, the MRU’s work can be described not only as a success from the perspective of the marine environment, but also as a direct investment in an important economic niche such as diving. This decision also runs counter to what the Tourism Minister stated in Parliament only recently, when he identified diving as one of the sectors Malta should strengthen and invest in as part of its efforts to attract higher-quality tourism.

Even more concerning is the fact that the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA), which represents the majority of diving schools in Malta, said it was not consulted about this decision and still does not know who will be responsible for monitoring and protecting the site after the park management and the MTA decided not to renew the agreement with the MRU as from the beginning of September.

The Association itself praised the MRU’s work and said that the continuous presence of the rangers had brought about a substantial improvement in underwater marine life that is clear for all to see, particularly its members who regularly dive at the site. It is now unclear whether this work will continue and, if so, who will carry it out.

The Partit Nazzjonalista believes that a protected area cannot be protected on paper alone. Effective and continuous monitoring, enforcement and collaboration with those who have direct, on-the-ground experience of this work are essential.

The Government must therefore state clearly why this decision was taken, who will replace the Malta Ranger Unit in monitoring illegal activity, and how it intends to guarantee that the progress made in protecting the Ċirkewwa Marine Park is not lost.

In the absence of a clear explanation from the Government, no one can be blamed for concluding that this is yet another case showing how the Labour Government pretends to protect the environment on paper but, as has happened on many other occasions, when it comes to actual enforcement it does everything possible to ensure that this does not happen, leaving everyone free to do as they please.

The PN also calls on the Government to reassure the public that there is no hidden reason behind this decision against the MRU rangers, who carry out their work voluntarily and with limited resources. Unfortunately, instead of being rewarded for this work, they have at times found themselves under attack, as happened just days after the last election when, without any evidence whatsoever, they were accused by a newly elected Labour candidate, now a Parliamentary Secretary, of entering private property without permission.

Alex Perici Calascione
Shadow Minister for Tourism

Mark Anthony Sammut
Shadow Minister for Energy and the Environment

18.08.2026