Last Friday at 6:30 PM, Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) launched its Save Our Shores exhibition and petition in Triton Square, Valletta. Save Our Shores (SoS) is an FoEM-led campaign that highlights the social and environmental impacts of Malta’s growing cruise liner, marina, and shipping industries on coastal communities and marine ecosystems. The petition, which can be signed on www.saveourshores.eu, calls for protecting public access to Malta’s coast and sea, protecting people from pollution and protecting natural ecosystems.
The exhibition was officially launched through a press conference led by FoEM Climate Coordinator, Dr Suzanne Maas, together with representatives from partner organisations and community groups supporting the campaign. The conference featured speeches by Clean Air for the Grand Harbour, Manoel Island: Post Għalina, Wirt Għawdex, and the Marsaskala Residents Network, all of which have been directly affected by the increasing commercialisation of Malta’s shores.
The Save Our Shores exhibition is the result of a year-long investigation and collaboration between FoEM, photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi, and journalist Julian Delia. Through a combination of photojournalism, research, and community engagement, the exhibition sheds light on the realities faced by coastal communities across Malta and Gozo. Over the past year, FoEM has met with resident groups and individuals from various coastal localities to better understand and document the social and environmental impacts they are experiencing firsthand.
Rory Apap Brown, from Clean Air for the Grand Harbour, stated: “Almost daily, cruise liners dock in the Grand Harbour and keep their engines running for hours — floating power stations burning fuel metres from front doors in Floriana, Bormla, Valletta, and Senglea. And it’s not just the exhaust. It’s the noise — onboard parties echoing across the harbour and amplified music.”
This is a daily reality faced by residents living around the Grand Harbour. Meanwhile, shore-to-ship power infrastructure remains underutilised, with only 1 in 10 ships connecting. Cruise liners are still permitted to keep their engines running while docked, emitting pollutants into nearby residential areas. As a result, respiratory illnesses in the region have increased. In his speech, Apap Brown continued that shore-to-ship power should be mandatory rather than voluntary, and that public authorities such as ERA should be measuring pollution levels directly, instead of relying on community-operated sensors such as the one installed at FoEM’s office in Floriana. Nevertheless, data from FoEM’s sensor already shows that emissions exceed both World Health Organization guidelines and EU legal limits. He concluded with a plea: “The communities around this harbour deserve clean air and quiet nights.”
On the other hand, Marie Claire Gatt, one of the activists who led the Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign, began on a positive note. At the same time last year, the public witnessed how community perseverance and collective action can bring about meaningful change, referring to the campaign’s major victory: “this was only possible thanks to the activists, NGOs, volunteers and the thousands and thousands of people who signed the petition.”
Gatt continued by explaining that, before this victory, many believed that Manoel Island would inevitably be developed into a luxury apartment complex and hotel. However, through collective efforts, this vision was transformed into one for a public national park. The struggle, however, is not over, as concerns regarding potential illegalities remain. In line with the Save Our Shores campaign, Gatt emphasised that Maltese shores still have much to offer, even within urban environments, and that these spaces should be protected and preserved. “Democracy doesn’t end with the electoral campaign, but is lived everyday, through community and action. By being active in the fights against over-commercialisation and privatisation. And by supporting the organisations, people and communities that are leading our fights. So that which is ours, remains ours.” Gatt stated.
Josmar Azzopardi, from Għawdix, recalled how much Gozo has changed since his childhood, noting that anyone walking along the island’s coastline today would witness the effects of commercialisation. His account began at Ramla l-Ħamra, where, while admiring the view, one might encounter a drainage leak. The walk continues to Xlendi, “and witnesses the problem of over-commercialisation, of the sea occupied by jetskis… of a bay that no longer exists.” Azzopardi’s journey then reaches Dwejra and the ongoing efforts to protect its Dark Sky heritage status, with the aim of safeguarding birds and the pristine environment from artificial light pollution. “Then you’d realise,” Azzopardi said “that from Dwejra you can’t continue walking along the shoreline.”
Bays that were once relatively untouched, such as Wied il-Għasri, are now occupied by kiosks and four-wheelers driving across the garigue, damaging fragile ecosystems. Moreover, applications have been submitted to install kiosks permanently on natural terrain, further increasing pressure on Gozo’s coastal and marine environment. “From the invasion on the bays, you’d then notice how this is causing damage to the Roman Villa.” Azzopardi stated, highlighting how even Malta’s cultural heritage is under threat. Even the most remote areas are no longer places of tranquillity, having been overtaken by yachts that generate both air and noise pollution. Azzopardi continued: “if we stop to think for a second, if we remove the capitalistic lens. Then maybe we can understand that what this campaign is asking for is very simple, and that at the end of the day everyone agrees with these simple terms… That everyone has access to clean air and coast, that not only access to us humans, but that there is a balance with the ecosystem. These are honest and simple terms that our politicians should listen to and implement as soon as possible.’
Caroline Caruana from the Marsascala Residents Network continued Azzopardi’s call in support of the Save Our Shores demands. “this exhibition gives a voice to the people who experience the realities of coastal living every day.” Marsascala has recently faced several challenges affecting its coastline. One of the most contentious issues, which sparked significant debate and public protest, was the introduction of the Marsascala ferry service. Caruana explained that residents had been promised reduced traffic and an improved quality of life. Instead, they are witnessing more cars, increased congestion, and a coastline that is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the public. “Public spaces are gradually being taken over by catering establishments. Access to our coastline is becoming more restricted. Areas that should remain open and accessible to the public are being occupied, fenced off, or made inaccessible under one excuse or another.”
This reflects the reality experienced by many coastal communities across Malta and Gozo. “The result is always the same: less space for residents and more space for private interests.” Residents are the ones paying the price for concessions granted to private businesses, often at the expense of their physical and mental wellbeing. Daily life is increasingly affected by noise, pollution, and congestion.
As a small island nation, Malta has long depended on close-knit communities that supported one another. However, increasing privatisation and overtourism are eroding this sense of community. “Tourism can be beneficial. No one is denying that. But when tourism becomes the justification for losing a locality’s identity, character, environment, and sense of community, then something has gone wrong.” Caruana said.
Residents are being pushed out of their homes, yet there are increasingly fewer places left on the island where they can find peace and quiet. In some cases, long-term residents of coastal towns such as Bormla are being displaced from their rental homes to make way for tourist accommodation.
The demands of Save Our Shores are simple. Together, we are calling to save our shores for the common good, not for the wealthy few.
Sign the petition now at saveourshores.eu.
