Irreplaceable fossils damaged in Dwejra

A report by biologist and former MEPA board member Dr. Louis F Cassar denounces that irreplaceable fossil features have been "recently" damaged at Dwejra.

But the report could not conclude "with absolute certainty" that this damage occurred during the filming of the HBO TV series Games of Thrones given the amount of people who trample on the site on a daily basis.  But the report states clearly that this damage "constitutes a clear threat to the integrity of the site’s geological, geomorphological and palaeontological heritage." Similarly, the observed damage to karstic features "also disrupt the overall integrity of the protected area". The report also states that several rock pinnacles and ridges were broken off following the use of heavy mechanical machinery on the site. The impacts relating to this damage is considered to be permanent and irreversible.

This damage to the karstic features probably occurred during the mechanical clean up of the sand which covered the site during the filming of US series Games of Throne. MEPA had issued a permit for this activity. MEPA only intervened after reports that mechanical machinery was being used to clean up the site.  This was stopped and the contractors were ordered to conduct a manual clean up.

But the report excludes any damage to marine and terrestrial ecology. "There was no adverse impact on the marine environment within the adjacent marine area and therefore, the integrity of the marine ecosystem, have not been compromised".

The MEPA Board has directed the Environment and Planning Directorates, together with the legal counsel, to draw up its recommendation on what action, if any, should be taken against the film producer for not adhering to the permit conditions and the damage caused at Dwejra.