Oct 27 - Sandy Bay Regeneration Project Sustains Marine Life
The Government has said that regeneration works have “completely transformed” Sandy Bay from its almost non- existent state into a sizeable beach that can be enjoyed year round. The project included two curved groynes and a conjoining submerged frontal breakwater. These were designed and constructed to protect the beach from the full impact of wave action, trap shifting sand and provide a new micro-environment for marine life.
The Department of the Environment and Climate Change’s Dive Team have been conducting regular marine life survey of the groynes and have revealed the project has clearly enhanced marine biodiversity in the area. Sponges, ascidians, invertebrates, algae and a large number of fish species such of bream, wrasse, gobies, flounder and mullets have been identified as well as octopus, crustaceans and echinoderms.
The Sandy Bay groynes and submerged breakwater have evidently become an important breeding ground or nursery for marine life on the Eastside and the inner sections have therefore been afforded legal protection under the Marine Protection regulations 2014 as a No Fishing Zone.
Minister for the Environment, Dr John Cortes commented: “This is one of many ways that we have been enhancing marine life around our coastline, and the success is evident. This nursery area is already helping in replenishing marine life elsewhere on the east side. The involvement of stakeholders in decision making through the fishing working group has really helped in achieving this.”
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