In Malta, divers have removed nets from the wreck of the Junkers JU 88

The wreck of a World War II German Junkers JU 88 aircraft, which rests on the seabed near Salina, has been cleared of fishing nets accumulated over the years. The action was carried out by Heritage Malta and members of the local diving community.

The operation to remove the nets was carried out jointly by three teams of three people, who one by one descended to the wreck and carried out the assigned tasks. The assistance of divers from the ALTAM diving club, who supported Heritage Malta’s activities, proved invaluable.

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The Junkers JU 88 aircraft was an extremely versatile machine. Its remains are located at a depth of 55 metres and today they are one of the most popular diving attractions. Unfortunately, every wreck diver knows how dangerous broken fragments of nets can be and how they make admiring the wreck itself difficult.

The activities undertaken by Heritage Malta, are part of a long list of measures implemented consistently over the years, which aim to protect the underwater heritage of the island, while popularising it among visiting divers. Worth mentioning is this year’s opening Underwater Malta – the virtual museum available from the end of June 2020.

As the Times of Malta reports, the wreck of the JU 88 aircraft, is only the first location in a long list of planned activities. Other wrecks will soon be cleaned from the net and the organisers of the action want to restore their beauty and splendour so that they make the best possible impression on divers visiting Malta.

In an official statement issued by Heritage Malta, it was stressed that in addition to contributing to the protection of underwater cultural heritage, such operations also bring great environmental benefits, eliminating ghost nets that pose a deadly threat to representatives of local fauna.