St Thomas Bay selfish encroachment

Abstract

With a 272-km-long coastline, one would expect very few conflicts to be triggered in this country on public access to the foreshore. We all know that this is not the case, mainly due to the fact that 60% of the Maltese coastline is inaccessible due to topographic constraints, with 96% of the remaining 40% accessible coastline being committed to tourist or maritime industry activities. Couple this with a good dollop of Maltese-style cheek and ego, and you are courting disaster. St Thomas Bay in Marsascala is a case in point, with the start of the holiday season in June witnessing a mass exodus of caravans (some 40-50) which are parked literally on the water's edge, hence effectively obfuscating seaside views to passers-by.