Conservation objectives and measures for Malta’s marine Natura 2000 sites

Over the last few years, especially pre-pandemic, divers’ representatives and other stakeholders were consulted on various instances with regard to the establishment of Conservation objectives and measures for Malta’s marine Natura 2000 sites (in short: MPA’s). A draft had been even presented back in 2021.

Back in January 2023 (or February 2023 as the filename indicates) apparently a relevant document was published on ERA’s website which did not get that much attention… and maybe say, next to zero publicity in the public sphere. However, the document provides the outcomes of the exercise and provides an idea of what ERA has in mind to carry out over the coming years, with some measures starting from 2023 (e.g. awareness exercises), whilst others are given a timeline of up to 2030. The document is available here, and we’ll have a copy of it available at the bottom of this post too. The document is split in three main parts:

Part I provides an overview of the MPAs around the Maltese Islands and the scope of the document.
Part II covers Site-Specific Conservation Objectives, Operational Objectives and Conservation Measures
Part III covers the “National objectives and measures contributing to Marine Protected Area Management”

Divinginfo.mt recommends all the marine environment’s stakeholders to have a good read of the document, as it provides a lot of information about the status, as well as targets set by ERA for conservation measures in MPAs around the Maltese Islands.

However, because we know divers had been significant contributors and have very little patience sometimes, we’re going to include snips below of the objectives’ conservation measures from this document which were some of the most expected parts, as well as snips from the national objectives and measures proposed.

We will be gathering feedback from divers on this document and the measures represented in it, as well as chasing for comments and further information from ERA and other stakeholders. Contact Us if you wish to pass on your views, or maybe, even send us your opinion.