This forms 70% of the world’s tourists. The Mediterranean attracts so many tourists, thanks to the combination between warm dry summers and the sea itself. In the year 2000 there were 1,239,877 passengers arriving by sea and air in Malta. Tourism is very important for the receiving countries’ economy. It was calculated that the gross earnings from tourism from January to September 2000, was of Lm 206,223,000. Tourists bring also foreign money and trigger jobs, such as in catering, shops and food industry. In the year 2000, there were 9,659 employees in hotels and catering establishments only.
The Mediterranean is also greatly important for the large amount of living resources it has. Fishing is the primary industry in the Mediterranean countries, where over 120 species of fish are fished commercially. The fishing industry in Malta is practiced on a small scale. However, it still employs 341 fishermen on full time basis and 923 on part time basis. (1996)
As reported in the census, the total catch was of 1.36 million kilograms of fish . Some of the fish caught in the Maltese seas are the Shrimp (Gamblu), Stone Bass (dott), Mackerel (Kavall), Dorado (Lampuka) and Blue Fin Tuna (Tonn). The Lampuka and the Blue Fin Tuna account for the largest catch.
Mariculture/ acquacultura : Although this industry dates back to the Roman times, it is only lately that it has been given most importance.
Rock
salt, sulphur and potash, are important minerals exploited in the Mediterranean,
especially in Sicily.
The Mediterranean has considerable amounts of oil and gas reserves. Today these are only being exploited in offshore shelves. The major producers of oil and gas are Tunisia, Libya and Italy.
The Mediterranean is very prone to pollution due to its geographical settings. It is an almost enclosed sea, with little circulation and a large number of industries agglomerated along its coast.
Oil pollution can cause severe damage to the marine environment. Oil spills can destroy the living organism found in the seas and also have a negative effect on other industries such as tourism. Fortunately, in Malta there were no recorded major oil spills. The minor oil spills reported were caused by defect in oil storage and inadequate fuel landings. Examples of such oil spills were reported in Marsamxett (1998), Grand Harbour (1997), M'Xlokk and B'Bugia (1998).
Marine litter, especially plastics from beach users and fast food outlets can be very hazardous to marine life. Marine litter can be both of local and foreign origin. Example of coastal areas affected by marine litter are Pretty Bay in B'Bugia, St. George's Bay, Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha.
Industries dump excessive waste, such as heavy metals like mercury directly into the sea or rivers. These can be extremely toxic. In Malta there is very limited data on the level of heavy metals in local waters. Amongst the places affected by heavy metals, there is :
Marsascala (from the Sant' Antnin Waste Treatment Plant),
Bahar ic- Caghaq (from leaching material from the Maghtab Landfill),
Manoel Island and Dockyard Creek (from the heavy boating activities)
Untreated sewage discharged in coastal waters causes severe pollution. It leads to euthrophication due to excessive nutrients dumped in the water. This kills fish and plants especially those that cannot live in oxygen-depleted waters. In Malta there are some localities which risk moderate eutrophic conditions. These include Msida Marina, Xghajra, Lazzaretto Creek and Marsascala.
Washouts of fertilisers and pesticides used by farmers pollute rivers and eventually seawater. Some of these are toxic, example DDT. This substance is digested by fish and is passed up through the whole food chain.
Pollution has no boundaries. It affects the wildlife, ecosystem and economy of all neighbouring coastal countries. Uncontrolled pollution has a negative impact on a number of sectors, such as health, fisheries, tourism and other industries.
