Category: Press Releases

22 loggerhead turtles hatched from an unreported nest in Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo. The hatchlings were discovered by the public who immediately informed Nature Trust Malta FEE last night.

The nest is close to last year’s nests in this bay, however no protection was provided as it was not reported hence raising fears of a low outcome of live hatchings.

ERA officers have erected a perimeter around the site and path to sea and constant monitoring will now continue until the nest is opened to ascertain the number of hatched and unhatched eggs.

ERA would like to thank NTM-Fee for the sterling job related to their role in the conservation of protected species. This work is possible through the ongoing collaboration between ERA and NTM. ERA funds NTM’s action on the rehabilitation and reintroduction of injured or stranded protected species and NTM volunteers play an invaluable role in these processes. ERA would like to thank these volunteers, as well as the members of the public who informed about the hatchlings.

ERA would also like to raise awareness on the importance of reporting any turtle nests so as to ensure the adequate protection and increase the chances of survival.

General information:
The loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation. Capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles (including its hatchlings), as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing and migration, is prohibited and subject to legal action. Even the destruction of eggs or taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence. In fact, the national ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’ impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild. The area where the loggerhead turtles has laid its eggs is also a protected area under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) and a Natura 2000 site through the EU Habitats Directive.

4 September 2021

Following reports that reached ERA regarding waste in Comino, the Authority has taken immediate remedial actions by requesting operators to install adequate bins in the vicinity of the sites which were identified as the source of the waste. ERA is also in discussions with MTA, who is the entity responsible to issue licences to operators on Comino, to consider additional measures to ensure that similar situations will not happen again. Discussions are also pursuing with the Ministry for Gozo to ensure an adequate cleaning schedule for Comino.

In the meantime, an assessment of the present litter on Comino is being undertaken by Ambjent Malta, following which a cleanup of the current waste will ensue. Ambjent Malta will also increase its surveillance on the island in the coming days.

ERA would like to remind the public and operators to dispose of waste in the appropriate bins so as to safeguard the natural environment.

4 September 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has approved the variation of the IPPC permit for Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd. located at Hal Far Industrial Estate, during a public meeting that was held today, 3rd September 2021.

The application process included consultation with a number of statutory consultees as well as a public consultation as required by the IPPC Regulations.

The variation of the IPPC permit covers the inclusion of a waste storage warehouse, the addition of emission points to air from production areas and laboratory fume hoods and the updating of the air emissions monitoring programme within a pharmaceutical installation which carries out production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. The installation has been covered by an IPPC permit since 2015.

The permit takes into account the holistic environmental performance of the installation and ascertains that the operations are undertaken in line with Best Available Techniques that are available for such operations. Furthermore, the permit takes into consideration all the aspects of the operations including emissions to air, discharges, management of waste, monitoring of operations as well as monitoring of pollutants prior to release into the environment.

All relevant documents are available on the ERA website.

3 September 2021

 

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has approved the renewal of the IPPC permit for the Marsa Power Station operated by Enemalta plc. during a public meeting that was held today, 27th August 2021.

The application process included consultation with a number of statutory consultees as well as a public consultation as required by the Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Regulations which regulate polluntant emmissions from industrial operations.

Following the decommissioning and dismantling of a large part of the operations at this installation, the IPPC permit covers the continued operation of the remaining gas turbine and its associated diesel tank. The remaining turbine is kept on stand-by and only used for emergency purpose and a brief monthly start-up for maintenance purposes.

The permit takes into account the holistic environmental performance of the plant and ascertains that the operations are undertaken in line with Best Available Techniques that are available for such operations. The integrated permit takes into consideration all the aspects of the operations including emissions to air, discharges, management of waste, monitoring of operations as well as monitoring of pollutants prior to release into the environment.

All public consultation documents are available on the ERA website.

27 August 2021

Following reports of a number of dead fish at the Chadwick Lakes system, ERA is looking into the matter.

From initial assessments it is likely that the animals have died due to warm evaporating waters.

Unfortunately, it is to be noted that this happens every year in the dry season and mostly affects alien fish and freshwater animals introduced in the valley ponds. This is most often the case as such animals are not native to the dry Mediterranean summer and as a result cannot survive the hot and dry summer conditions.

The public is reminded not to release any aquarium fish and other animals in local freshwaters as they are not adapted to our climates and end up affecting native species of importance.

23 August 2021

Following reports of the presence of slime in the Southern area of the Maltese islands over the weekend, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) launched an investigation into the origins of the slime and initiated a clean-up operation to address the situation.

On arrival on site and on confirmation of the presence of slime, ERA requested the three South fish farm operators to proceed with cleaning up the slime from the coast. The fish farm operators immediately cooperated and cleanup started immediately in the areas of St Peter’s pool, il-Bajja ta’ San Tumas and Marsascala swimming zones. ERA coordinated this activity with Transport Malta and the Police to ensure safety.

ERA also received reports of slime off the coast of Pembroke and St Julians which are also being addressed.

23 August 2021

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) shows its full support to Nature Trust Malta in the organisation of guided snorkelling tours in Malta’s coastal waters. The Authority believes that snorkelling has the potential to enhance public participation in the conservation of marine biodiversity when developed within an environmental education framework.  Nature Trust Malta’ guided snorkelling tours will provide the opportunity for the public to gain a better understanding of the diversity of habitats and species associated with the marine environment and thus raise awareness on the need for marine conservation.

Snorkel trails are an effective tool for developing ecological awareness across the public and enhance public participation in management processes. The importance of engaging the public in conservation efforts in the marine environment is duly acknowledged by the recently published ‘Conservation Objectives & Measures for Malta’s Marine Natura 2000 sites’, which document is currently undergoing a public consultation process. Within this context, one of the conservation measures in coastal Marine Protected Areas seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of current snorkel trails through survey questionnaires, and if necessary, consider creation of new ones.

The guided snorkelling that will be organised by Nature Trust Malta this year will be paving the way for long-term maintenance of snorkel trails in our coastal waters. This will aim to raise awareness on the importance of the marine environment and contribute to conservation efforts within Marine Protected Areas in Maltese waters. This initiative will be taken forward through collaboration between Nature Trust Malta, Ambjent Malta, ERA.

To mark the launch of these guided snorkel trails a male loggerhead turtle named Paul has been released.  The turtle was rescued in May 2021 near Filfla and was found to have ingested a hook. Following an operation and rehabilitation it has made a full recovery was strong enough to be released.

More information on MPAs:

Eighteen (18) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering over 4100km2 or 35% of Malta’s Fisheries Management Zone were designated throughout a period of ten years 2008-2018. The MPAs were designated in accordance with legal obligations of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. These areas seek the conservation of various seabed habitats, including Posidonia meadows, sandbanks, reefs and caves, as well as marine species including dolphins, turtles and seabirds.

The public consultation:

The public consultation is open until the 5^th of September 2021, ERA encourages the public to have a say in this management process through the public consultation processes.

Further information can be obtained through here.

5 August 2021