Neil Camilleri

BirdLife Malta has warned that a planned fireworks display set to take place near Filfla on Friday could have a negative impact on seabirds inhabiting the area. The environmental organization has written an appeal to Environment Minister Jose Herrera to intervene, who says he has been assured that the event will generate "insignificant impacts" on the seabird colonies.

Zurrieq fireworks enthusiasts plan to let off a massive colour fireball known as ‘The Shell of Shells’ from an area 3.3km away from the ecologically rich island, which enjoys a very high level of protection.

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The fireball was originally going to be used in Valletta 2018’s Pageant of the Seas in June but the permits were eventually withdrawn over safety concerns. The huge display will also be an attempt to break a world record. The fireball is filled with many smaller colour petards.

Birdlife Malta said the activity is being held within two protected areas at sea and "will impact at least three different #Natura2000 sites."

Filfla is only seven hectares large but provides a unique natural habitat. Photo: Paulo Lago

"Seabirds inhabiting Filfla which are currently during their nesting periods (namely Scopoli's Shearwater and the Mediterranean Storm-petrel) are very sensitive to both light and noise pollution, to the point that even fireworks or light along the south-west coast of Malta have an effect on this seabird haven."

"Despite our repeated requests to the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), to publicise the Appropriate Assessment (AA) which should conclude on the impacts this activity will have on the protected areas at sea and the seabird colonies of Filfla, to date ERA has not released this document, and appears to have permitted this activity which will impact these Natura 2000 sites."

"We call on Environment Minister José Herrera to intervene on this matter, and for ERA to publicise the impact assessment on how the possible damage to the Natura 2000 sites of Filfla and its surrounding sea has been quantified and how this is expected to be contained."

Birdlife says that, while the event was deemed to be a hazard to the Grand Harbour, there seems to no concern for a Natura 2000 area.

A Scopoli's Shearwater chick on Filfla. Photo: Paolo Lago

“People who know the area very well state that the fauna will definitely be impacted severely as this will happen so close to the mainland and within Natura 2000 boundaries. We are of course preoccupied about the breeding colonies of seabirds on the island which is supposed to be protected, particularly because this is the period when these birds are on their nests and the blast could shock them out of their nests,” a spokesperson said.

“This, apart from the overall and unprecedented risk of a 500kg shell being fired so close to the mainland (3.3km from Filfla and 3.3km from Wied iż-Żurrieq). This is unprecedented. There was never a 500kg shell being fired locally so the impact this will have has never been tested before.”

Despite being only 6 hectares large, Filfla provides a unique natural habitat.

In fact, it has several designations: Nature Reserve, Site of Scientific Importance (SSI), Bird Sanctuary, Area of Ecological Importance (AEI), Natura 2000 site, Important Bird Area (IBA).

Nobody can land on Filfla except for educational and scientific reasons and with a special permit.

TM has warned mariners to keep a distance of at least two kilometres

Meanwhile, a notice to mariners issued by Transport Malta shows the exact location where the fireball will be let off.

Because of the size of the fireball, TM is advising mariners to keep at least two kilometres away from the launch site.

The notice also states that the loading of fireworks onto the barge was to take place between 21 and 24 August at Rinella Bay.

It also states that should the event have to be cancelled due to bad weather it would take place on the next favourable date.

Event expected to generate insignificant impacts on the seabird colonies - Ministry

Reacting, Herrera said he was informed and assured by the Environmental Regulator ERA that all environmental aspects were duly considered and assessed.

“The Minister is also informed that the required Appropriate Assessment report, as per provisions of the Subsidiary Legislation 549.44 titled ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’, was carried out and concluded that there is no significant impact on the natural environment of the area, in particular the fauna,” the ministry said in a statement.

The site of the barge will be placed 3.6km from Filfla, 3.3km from Żurrieq on the eastern side and 3.5km from Għar Lapsi on the western side. The Appropriate Assessment report outlines that the predicted sphere of influence is set at 500m blast radius from the point of lift-off, it said.

“With specific reference to the permit for this activity, ERA stipulated various conditions and mitigation measures that need to be adhered to both during the event and after. Such conditions predominantly include that all preparatory work and dismantling shall take place between sunrise and sunset, use of flash powder is prohibited and only one firework is let off. ERA also stipulated that a sea clean-up has to be carried out expediently within a radius of 500m of the barge.

The Appropriate Assessment report, which the Minister is informed has been distributed to BirdLife Malta, clearly highlights that “the proposed firework event is expected to generate insignificant impacts on the seabird colonies through the dispersion of firework particulate debris, chemical dispersion into the air and sea, light and sound pollution.”

An environmental monitoring report has been requested to be compiled after the event to ensure that the applicant followed the conditions enlisted in the nature permit.

“In view of the above, no further intervention is deemed necessary from the Minister,” the statement read.

Birdlife ‘disappointed’

Reacting, Birdlife Malta said it was very disappointed with Herrera’s reaction.

“The Minister has been reported as stating that this giant fireball will have no effect on the breeding seabird colonies on Filfla. Minister Herrera - who supposedly is responsible for the environment - should have stated that Natura 2000 sites such as Filfla and the marine Special Protection Areas (SPAs) around it should be always protected and never put under threat.

Minister Herrera should have also stated that there were various other locations from where such a fireball could have been let off without damaging any highly important ecological areas.”