Diving Master Plan MALTA.Pdf

Report Reference: Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, 2012. Master Plan to Support a Sustainable Diving Industry for Malta. Version 3. San Gwann, May 2012; vi + 68pp + 2 Appendices. This is a digital copy of the Report. Respect the Environment – Keep it Digital i Quality Assurance Diving Master Plan for Malta May 2012 Report for: Malta Tourism Authority Revision Schedule Report Rev Date Details Report by: Approved by: checked by: 00 Feb 2011 Submission to client Bill Richardson Kevin Morris Adrian Mallia Consultant Managing Director Managing Director 01 June 2011 Revised Plan Adrian Mallia Rachel Xuereb Rachel Xuereb Director Director Director 02 May 2012 Submission following Adrian Mallia Rachel Xuereb Rachel Xuereb public comments Director Director Director File ref: F:\ADI\Master Plans\Malta Diving Master Plan\Master Plan\Adi Associates Diving MP for Malta_v3.doc This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Adi Associates’ appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed to and for the sole and confidential use and reliance of Adi Associates’ client. Kappara Business Centre Adi Associates accepts no liability for any use of this document 113 Triq Birkirkara other than by its client and only for the purposes for which it was San Gwann SGN 4197 prepared and provided. Except as provided for by legislation, no person other than the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or MALTA rely on the contents of this document, without the prior written permission of Adi Associates. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations within this document should be read and relied Tel. / Fax: 21378172 - 77 upon only in the context of the document as a whole. The contents of this document do not provide legal or tax advice or opinion. Email: [email protected] Web: www.adi-associates.com © Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd 2012 iii CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................ 1 Background .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Stakeholder involvement ........................................................................................................................... 1 Why prepare this Diving Master Plan? ................................................................................................... 2 2. Issues .................................................................................................... 3 Overview of the diving industry in Malta .............................................................................................. 3 A Profile of the Diving Tourist ................................................................................................................ 5 The product today ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Shore Diving................................................................................................................................................. 6 Boat Diving Sites ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Wreck Diving............................................................................................................................................... 9 Industry and Regulation ........................................................................................................................... 10 Industry Gap Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 19 Industry Issues Today .............................................................................................................................. 19 Factors that Influence the Choice of Destination ............................................................................. 22 The Competition ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................ 33 A sustainable diving product .................................................................................................................. 34 Definition of Sustainability ...................................................................................................................... 34 The Emerging Role and Importance of MPAs and Other Related Regulations as a Means to Promote Dive Site Stewardship ............................................................................................................ 35 Notice to Mariners No 5 of 2008 ......................................................................................................... 41 Priorities for a Sustainable Dive Tourism Segment .......................................................................... 41 3. Strategic objectives .......................................................................... 43 Short to medium-term objectives ......................................................................................................... 43 OBJECTIVE 1 - Upgrade shore and boat dive sites .......................................................................... 43 OBJECTIVE 2 - Encourage further marketing of the product ........................................................ 53 OBJECTIVE 3 - Ensuring dive sites are better managed and protected....................................... 54 OBJECTIVE 4 – Diversify the product ................................................................................................. 59 Scuttling of Wrecks .................................................................................................................................. 60 Artificial Reefs ............................................................................................................................................ 61 MEDIUM to long TERM OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 62 Cleaner Seas – Relate to WF Directive / Cleaning of Vessels ....................................................... 62 4. Implementation priorities and action plan..................................... 65 Implementation partners ......................................................................................................................... 68 v FIGURES Figure 2.1: Malta dive sites ...................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 2.2: Location of dive schools in Malta...................................................................................... 13 Figure 2.3: Water Lighter X127, Manoel Island ................................................................................. 15 Figure 2.4: Existing infrastructure at Manoel Island .......................................................................... 17 Figure 2.5: Wreck site images from MTA website............................................................................ 23 Figure 2.6: MTA Website – dedicated section to promote dive tourism ................................... 23 Figure 2.7: Special feature on diving in Malta – highlighting the diversity of dive sites & other cultural attractions ........................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 2.8: Existing Marine Protection Areas / Marine Natura 2000 Sites – Malta ................... 39 Figure 3.1: An example of a “halo” in Posidonia meadows as a result of anchoring ................. 50 Figure 3.2: Example of mooring buoy (as used in Hurghada, Red Sea) ........................................ 50 Figure 3.3: Possible ways to raise the status of dive sites and simplify procedures for new infrastructure .................................................................................................................................... 58 TABLES Table 2.1: Trends in ‘fanatic’ dive trips to Malta .................................................................................. 3 Table 2.2: Diving tourists by country of residence - 2009 ................................................................ 5 Table 2.3: Dive industry issues in 2010 ............................................................................................... 20 Table 2.4: Gap analysis of main competing destinations .................................................................. 28 Table 3.1: Proposed interventions at Shore Dive Sites ................................................................... 45 Table 3.2: Necessary interventions at boat dive sites as identified by the diving industry ...... 52 Table 3.3: Sites where conflicts are most likely to exist between diving and fishing ................ 56 APPENDICES Appendix 1: Definitions of fishing activities Appendix 2: Concept drawings for diving infrastructure vi 1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND 1.1. Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd (“Adi Associates”) has been commissioned by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) to prepare a Master Plan for a Sustainable Diving Industry for Malta (Tender Ref: MTA/731/2008). 1.2. The objectives of the

Load more