Save Our Shores Exhibition

Sign the Petition

Date: 12-22 June,

Location: Tritons Square, Valletta

Picture this: Malta’s crystal blue sea, Valletta’s historic skyline, and then, black smoke billowing over the harbour, a penetrating smell of fuel, and a loud horn echoing over the water to the cities across.

Cruise liners, superyachts, and other large ships are causing serious environmental, social and health problems in the Mediterranean Sea. These vessels burn highly polluting fuels, causing air pollution, contributing to the climate crisis, and affecting the health of local communities.

Malta has Europe’s largest ship registry and is a major cruise liner destination, which compounds pollution in residential areas around the Grand Harbour, and other coastal towns. Additionally, proposed luxury marina expansions and private yachting facilities threaten public access to the shore and sea, further undermining local residents’ quality of life.

Striking imagery by Darrin Zammit Lupi, and an investigation by journalist Julian Delia into the impacts of these maritime industries on local communities, form the backbone of this public exhibition.

Friends of the Earth Malta’s Save Our Shores brought together residents of harbour and coastal localities in community assemblies, where people discussed issues and solutions. Together, we co-created a set of political demands for a petition to demand public access to coast and sea, protection from pollution, and restoration of coastal ecosystems.

Together, we ask to Save Our Shores, for the common good, not the wealthy few.

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The SOS Project is supported by The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges.