Oil Spill Threatening St George’s Bay

submitted by St. Margaret's College Boys' Secondary School Verdala : Luca Agius  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Photos


On Wednesday morning 24th October a large slick of oil was floating in St George’s Bay, Birzebbuga. The slick, orange in colour, split into a number of separate parts later in the day. Speculations on whether the slick could have come from a large ship in the bay or from a bunkering operation remained until samples to identify the source of the slick were tested. Birzebbuga mayor Joseph Farrugia was immediately contacted and the Transport Malta and the Civil Protection Unit were on site. The Maritime Authority lifted samples from the sea and a private company was equipped to clean the water. Spilled oil harms the sea environment in several ways, including the physical damages that directly impact wildlife and their habitats and the toxicity of the oil itself, which can poison exposed organisms. Luckily Transport Malta took the necessary steps to clean up the bay engaging a specialized contractor.