Imperial Eagle Underwater Marine Park

Concept:

This project is to be considered as a pilot project which would hopefully open up a new approach to embrace other more important sites such as Cirkewwa, Dwejra & Comino giving these sites the status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

View Imperial Eagle Newspaper Article 20th July 1999

View Kristu L-Bahhar Newspaper Article 18th May 2000

Phase 1:    Application stage (completed)

Phase 2:    Scuttling of Wreck (Imperial Eagle) & another underwater attraction (completed) 

Phase Three will be taken up by the Malta Marine Foundation (MMF)

Phase 3:  Request site to be declared as a Marine Park within an Marine Park Area. Marking the site with a permanent Cardinal Buoy.

The MMF will take over the management of this site for the benefit of both the Marine environment in the area and to create an alternative dive site for the enjoyment of the local diving community & diving tourism alike.

To create a site where underwater habitats will be legally protected from all forms of fishing. Divers visiting this site will have not only the wreck, & the statue of ' Kristu l-Bahhar’ to see but also a population of fish & other marine life. This project combines together the two main scopes for divers.

Other ideas as attractions for Marine Park to include:-

•   An era theme path with a Dolmen marking its entrance. The dive route or routes would include a number of small items of attraction linked to our Ancient & Modern History & Culture. Such objects /artifacts would be properly grounded & labeled, providing interesting & brief information.  The items on display on the seabed would be authentic or in some cases a replica of the object would be placed. This depends on the sensitivity of the object/artifact in question. 

A monitoring exercise plus a Management & Wardening proposal have already been submitted to MEPA. (June 2002)  These are included in three documents. (Reference document A, B, C)

Phase 1:  Application stage  (Reference Report A) 

Application submitted in 1996, September 1997 submitted the EIA, in 1998 the permit to scuttle MV Imperial Eagle was granted

Phase 2: Scuttling of the Imperial Eagle (Reference Report A)

MV Imperial Eagle was scuttled in July 1999 to form the main underwater attraction for divers. In May 2000 the statue of ‘Kristu l-Bahhar’ was removed from its original site & taken to its present location, 15 meters away from the  wreck of Imperial Eagle, this forms a  secondary underwater attraction in the area

Phase 3: Marine Park (Reference Reports B & C)

References are made to:-

•    PA application No: 2730/96  ( Reference  report A) 

•   Report of the seabed in the Vicinity of the 'Imperial Eagle' dive site – February 2002  (J.A Borg & P.J. Schembri)  ( Reference Report B)                                         

•  Imperial Eagle Marine Park – Project Outline - June 2002  (K. Pirotta) (Reference Report C)

In our Environment Planning Report dated 1 September 1997, (Reference Report A) we had indicated that it was our intention that the objective of  this project was not essentially merely the scuttling of another wreck, at a site off Qawra Point, but a project which was to be something more than just that.

We had indicated that our Project was ultimately the setting up of an underwater marine park. We had indicated that this project was to be divided into three phases, one phase to follow the other.

We also anticipated that to accomplish all three phases, it would take a few years, this; in view of the nature of the type of project we set to undertake.

Of particular interest is the concept of Zoning as regards to the Management plan for this project.

We wish to apply for an Underwater Marine Park within a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The Size of the Marine Park Area is 500 meters radius, the center of which being a position permanently marked by a yellow Special buoy, (with special marks according to IALA buoyage system which will be lit by night. (yellow flashing light, One second flash every 5 seconds), Standing 2 meters above water line).  This buoy is to be installed in the very near future. Malta Maritime Authority has accepted the installation of this buoy.   The buoy will be permanently moored down by chain attached to the bow section of the wreck of MV Imperial Eagle. This to be kept in place all year round. Or possibly to be sited only in the diving season May – October   The position of this buoy is :- UTM 39 80.250 / 44 90.035. OR  GPS co-ordinates N  35'  57.885  /  E 14'  26.086

Zoning ~ Covering an area of just over ¾ of one square kilometer, this Marine Protected Area is to have four concentric zones.

Zone A:  The core Area of the Underwater Marine Park ~ with a radius of 50 meters from the buoy, this area will be strictly a no boat traffic zone (this to include sailing boats, windsurfers & jet skies)

The concept behind this exclusion zone is solely for diving safety reasons. Only boats which are carrying scuba divers with the intention to dive in this zone are allowed to enter this zone. They are to proceed at slow speed and with caution when entering within this exclusion zone for the sole purpose to tie to any of the two moorings which have been   installed.

Two submerged concrete blocks are thus situated with mooring lines, they are to be used solely to accommodate diving boats, there is therefore no reason why dive boats should anchor in this zone and are therefore refrained from doing so. This will avoid unnecessary damage to the reef.  No fishing will be allowed in this zone, this to include spear fishing as well, with or without scuba gear.

Since Zone A is the main area where most of the scuba diving will take place, the two current underwater attractions have been placed on the seabed within this core zone. The main underwater attractions of the marine park are:  the wreck of Imperial Eagle, & the other, is a three meter concrete statue of 'Christ' (Kristu l-Bahhar)

Zone B:  Resource Protection Zone

With a radius of 150 meters from the buoy, this is strictly a no fishing zone. All forms of fishing are thus prohibited in this area.  This Zone together with Zone A is to form the area comprising the Underwater Marine Park. These two zones are therefore suited for the recreation of scuba divers. Boats traveling in this area are to proceed with due diligence as they are situated and traveling at close proximity to an area where diving activity is often carried out.

Zone C:  Primary Buffer Zone

Having a radius of 300 meters from the buoy, this will form the first buffer zone to the Underwater Marine Park. Again in Zone C no fishing of any sort is allowed.

Zone D:  Secondary Buffer Zone

Having a radius of 500 meters from the buoy, this area will form a second buffer zone to the Underwater Marine Park. Only rod fishing is allowed in this zone, otherwise all other forms of fishing is prohibited including spear fishing, with or without scuba gear.                                             

Benthic Component Of The Proposed Site (Reference Report B)

A survey carried out by independent consultants confirms the suitability of this site as a marine conservation area. This area supports interesting geomorphologic features, a diversity of habitats and benthic assemblages, and a rich fish fauna. These elements combine to give a varied and interesting seascape characterized by vast expanses of bare sedimentary bottoms from which arises a rocky shoal bounded by sheer and stepped drop-offs. This is a typical example of underwater reef formation, and is thus known as Qawra Reef, with its shallowest part situated closest to Qawra Point.

Associated underwater geomorphic features include caves and overhangs found along the base of the drop-offs in Zone B to the East of the wreck, crevices in Zone B south of the wreck, arches in Zone A. The dominant biotopes are assemblages of infralittoral algae and extensive, dense and healthy Posidonia meadows with a varied morphology including sea grass growing on rocks.  

Marine Park – For Scientific research

This area is ideal for carrying out scientific research. Students studying Marine Biology at the University of Malta are encouraged to carry out their studies in such sites. In fact during the period 2001-2002, Ms. Mildred Magro, a female student from the Department of Biology at The University of Malta, carried out her dissertation studies and associated fieldwork in this area. This scientific research involved the study of the benthic and demersal fish assemblages associated with the Imperial Eagle wreck and with a close-by rocky shoal and a comparison between the two. The Professional Diving School’s Association (PDSA) & other independent divers have assisted this student to enable her to complete her fieldwork. Upon completion of this research, a copy of this study was presented to the ‘Imperial Eagle’ Underwater Marine Park Action Committee. We hope that other students may continue in this line of work and carry out further studies in such areas.

Pilot Project  

Various meetings have already been held. The parties interested in this project, namely Malta Tourism Authority, PDSA & Nature Trust together with officials from The Planning Authority have discussed at some length this project. All seem to agree that this project should be seen as a pilot project. The objective being that from this relatively small Marine Park Area, one can learn from it, and see at first hand what problems could arise. By going through the whole process, valuable lessons could be achieved in matters such as the application of designating this site as the first Marine Park Area in Maltese waters, its management, its monitoring, its warding and law enforcement. We believe that Qawra Reef is a good candidate to be given the designation and the status of Marine Park Area, but other sites such as Cirkewwa, Comino & Dwejra in Gozo are more appropriate candidates eligible to be designated as Marine Park Area or Marine Conservation Area. We strongly believe that the hardest task is getting the first project on its feet; if this succeeds the others will soon follow.