Category: Press Releases

Action was taken by the Environment Resource Authority’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate on Santa Marija Bay Area in Comino, to clean the debris pertaining to camping activities, and also halted camping activities in this area. Such activities adversely impact on the integrity of this Special Area of Conservation, and were not covered by the required ERA permits. The halting of camping activities in the Santa Marija Bay area and its eventual reinstatement is in line with the approved Management Plan for Comino and its surrounding islets.

ERA’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate intervened directly noting that the perpetrator remained unknown throughout the investigations, and also took action to clean Santa Marija Bay.

All camping related equipment and litter that was present on site was dismantled and taken away. Fire-pits present in the area were also dismantled. Over one tonne of material ranging from tents, poles, crockery and bedding, to tanks and sinks was collected and transported to Gozo by means of licensed waste carriers and adequately disposed of.

This action was taken following the issuance of a stop and compliance order on December 2018 for unpermitted camping and barbecuing activities.

For further information kindly contact [email protected]

A new endemic species has been described from the Maltese Islands, this being unique to our islands. This species, known as the Maltese Ferule or il-ferla in Maltese, has been first described scientifically as Ferula melitensis, in the recent scientific publication, Phytotaxa, published on the 10th December 2018.

Mix-up with the Common Ferule

This species is unique to the Maltese Islands; and hence is endemic and differs significantly, both morphologically and genetically from the other European and African ferule species, but showing closer links with the Tunisian Ferule (Ferula tunetana), which is also absent from Malta. It is interesting to note that the Tunisian and Maltese Ferules were both originally thought to be the Common Ferule (Ferula communis), with which our new species was previously confused.

Essentially, the Maltese plant is stockier than the Common Ferule, which is absent from Malta, with clear differences in the leaves, flowers, flowering period, fruits and seedlings.

The species is quite common in Malta, where it grows in different soils and habitats, including local xagħri, fallow or abandoned fields, countryside road verges and xeric grasslands (these being typical of our very dry climate).

Practices and Uses

Traditionally, the species was used for the treatment of dysentery or the treatment of skin infections. However, such uses are discouraged, as the plant can be poisonous if inappropriate dosage is employed.

In addition, dried stalks were used to sharpen razor blades or as a substitute of ‘firewood’; indeed, the dried pith was sometimes also used as a slowly-burning tinder.

The ferules are also known to produce compounds that have diverse pharmacological effects, including antibiotic/antimicrobial and compounds used in the treatment of cancer. Indeed, the medicinal potential of these compounds is considered as high, with ferulenol being considered as a lead compound in drug discovery.

Scientific Significance

Apart from the intrinsic value of a new species unique to the Maltese Islands, this species also sheds more information on biogeography (the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time), in that they confirm the North African affinity of some of our unique flora. The origins of the Maltese Ferule are currently assumed to be due to geographic isolation from North Africa as a result of alternating sea-levels in the period between 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago. This is not the first plant species to confirm such link, since many unique endemic Maltese species show North African affinities, like the Maltese Salt Tree (Darniella melitensis; is-siġra tal-irmied) and the Maltese Fleabane (Chiliadenus bocconei; it-tulliera ta’ Malta).

Research on Biodiversity and Current Protection

The Maltese Fennel is a recent discovery from 2018; confirming the recurrent need of obtaining more information on Malta’s native and endemic biodiversity. The find was made by a team from the Universities of Catania, Palermo and Cagliari, with the lead of Professor Salvatore Brullo of the University of Catania. Prof. Brullo is a lead botanist in the Mediterranean region, and is well renowned in local botanical sphere as he has studied and described many Maltese endemic species.

It is also noted that the Maltese Ferule and many endemic species are protected in terms of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (SL 549.44) under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549). Should more information be required on permitting considerations, more information is available here.

More information on the Maltese Fennel can be found in the following publication by Brullo et al (2018).

For further information kindly contact [email protected]

As part of ERA’s commitment in relation to the monitoring of the state of the marine environment and to better our quality of life, ERA has commissioned Malta Marine Monitoring Consortium (M3C), comprised of AIS Environment Ltd (Malta) and AZTI Tecnalia (Spain), to take on the project entitled “Implementation and updating of marine monitoring programmes, assessment of environmental status and development of a marine database system.”

The ultimate goals of this European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF 2014-2020) project are to devise a holistic approach towards marine monitoring and develop a database housing the data collected. Concrete data and information from the project will be used to develop better management practices to address pressures on marine environmental resources. In this regard, the project will assist the implementation of Malta’s obligations as an EU Member State in relation to the marine environmental sector.

The database will be supplemented by relevant marine datasets and will facilitate access of monitoring data to the public. The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is expected to absorb the full €1.6 million in public eligible EMFF funds (75% EU 25% MT), which were allocated for the implementation of the marine monitoring programme.

The workshop held on 11th December 2018 was the third of the four seminars to be held as part of this project. The main objectives of this particular session were to:

• Introduce the project and its main objectives
• Give an overview of the progress of the project so far
• Describe the data collected throughout the project
• Give an overview of the database and the relevant policy applications

Representatives from M3C (Yasmin Schembri and Yolanda Sagarminaga) presented an introduction to the project, the data collected and technical details on the database. Entities including Ministry for Gozo; the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Continental Shelf Directorate were represented at the workshop. The seminar was closed off with a Q&A session during which some comments were put forward by the attendees, most notably queries regarding the public availability of the database.

The results of this project, including stakeholder feedback, will contribute to effective management and sustainable use of marine resources, for the benefit of the environment and of all marine sectors. Through this project, the environmental status of Malta’s coastal and marine waters will be assessed, which will enable Malta to continue working towards achieving Good Environmental Status in our marine waters.

For further information, please contact [email protected] or call on +356 2292 3500 Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm.

For further information, please contact:

Claire Cordina Borg Unit Manager National Affairs Environment and Resources Directorate Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) T: + 356 2292 3500 E: [email protected]

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is expected to absorb the full €1.6 million in public eligible funds (75% EU 25% MT), which were allocated under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for 2014-2020 for the implementation of the marine monitoring programme. The results of this project will contribute to effective management and sustainable use of marine resources, for the benefit of the environment and of all marine sectors. Through this project, ERA will also continue working towards achieving Good Environmental Status in marine waters.​

The Annual Biology Symposium 2018 and the publication of Biology Abstracts were generously supported by the Environment and Resources Authority.

For further information, kindly click here​.

 

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), is participating in an Interreg Europe project called WINPOL – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies. This project aims to improve policies for waste management through the use of intelligent equipment and systems for waste disposal and collection. This will in turn contribute to waste minimisation through improved management procedures and awareness campaigns.

Current technology and innovation in the waste sector allow container-systems to provide information to waste collectors, at real-time, about various parameters including their remaining available capacity and temperature. These Smart bins may be solar-powered and can even compact waste to allow for an increased amount of waste to be collected while eliminating odours. Such ICT-based solutions can be used to analyse usage trends and identify critical groups of waste producers. Information from these bins will be used to improve national policies and increase the efficiency in which the way waste is managed for the public and waste managers.

The knowledge acquired from this project will help Malta achieve both National and EU Waste Targets, improve recyclable waste collection, reduce waste going to landfill and enhance the sustainability of the waste management sector.

WINPOL is led by EMULSA (Municipal Company of Urban Environment Services of Gijón) and involves a partnership of nine European waste management entities from different regions in Spain, Belgium, Greece (Crete), Slovenia, Romania and Malta. This project brings together cities and regions with experience in smart waste management equipment, and those planning to introduce them to share knowledge.

The first project meeting was held in September in Gijon, Spain, which kicked-off the activities related to the project. During this meeting, ERA representatives had the opportunity to meet with the other partners and witness first-hand the intelligent equipment used in Gijon.

The project runs from June 2018 to December 2022, and has a total budget of €1,363,045, of which ERA’s share is €90,967. The project is part-fin​anced by the Interreg Europe 2014-2020 programme at a rate of 85%.

The project officially launched in Malta on Monday 17 December at the Student House Conference Room (SHCR), University of Malta, from 08:30 to 11:00.

Anyone interested in the project can attend the WINPOL information day or contact ERA on [email protected].

For more information:

Phone (+356) 2292 3500

Email [email protected]

The WINPOL project – Waste Management Intelligent Systems and Policies – aims to foster and promote the use of intelligent equipment and planning derived from it, through improved waste management policies, thus contributing to waste minimisation in European cities and regions. Find out more information about the project on www.interregeur

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is calling for collective action towards the combating of invasive alien species, which are considered to be one of the major causes of biodiversity loss, both in Malta and worldwide. The Authority has developed and launched a National Strategy and a set of eight complimentary codes of good practice to address this aspect.

The National Strategy for Preventing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Maltese Islands and the National Sector-Specific Codes of Good Practice in Relation to Invasive Alien Species in the Maltese Islands are available for viewing on the ERA website​ and will remain open for a six-week public consultation until 23/01/2019. Feedback may be sent via e-mail on [email protected].

Alien species are plants or animals which are not native to the Maltese Islands and which are introduced into our environment by humans. Invasive alien species are those which, after being introduced whether deliberately or accidentally, start growing and multiplying spontaneously in the wild. These are termed “invasive” because they rapidly increase in number when conditions are favourable, while negatively impacting our environment, society and the economy.

Examples of invasive alien species which have become a common sight, and unfortunately often take over native biodiversity, include the crimson fountain grass, acacias, century plants, Kaffir fig and rats. Certain invasive alien species also create significant socio-economic impacts, particularly plant pests, which affect the agriculture and horticulture sectors such as the red palm weevil, which affects palm trees.

The National Strategy and Codes of Good Practice which ERA has developed have been designed for use by all those stakeholders involved in the regulation, movement and use of, as well as management of, alien species in the Maltese Islands. These policies fulfil the requirements of Malta’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and are complimentary to existing regulations under the Laws of Malta.

For additional information on invasive alien species please visit this link.

For clarifications on this press release, kindly contact [email protected].

For any queries on invasive alien species contact ERA on [email protected] or on 2292 3500.

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Regulations require certain facilities to obtain a permit from the Authority covering their operations.

To this end, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has today, 23 November 2018, taken two decisions as indicated below on the IPPC permits for the following applications:

• Variation of the Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd. – APPROVED
• Variation & Renewal of Gasparell Baling Plant Ltd. – APPROVED

The permit for the Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd., covers the continued operations of the installation whose main activity involves the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

The permit for Gasparell Baling Plant Ltd., covers the operation of waste management facility comprising of a baling plant and an end of life vehicle facility.

The IPPC permits issued cover a number of environmental obligations which operators are to fulfil throughout the validity of the permit so as to ensure the required level of environment protection.

All public consultation documents are available on the ERA website here.

For further information, kindly contact [email protected]

The Environment & Resources Authority is collaborating with ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People to launch the project Fair with Air at Schools.

This air quality project, which is part of an initiative being carried out by a number of European countries, will bring together school children and their teachers to monitor outdoor air quality around their schools. Specialised monitoring equipment will monitor the levels of nitrogen dioxide, an air pollutant mostly produced by vehicles, around schools in Malta and Gozo to determine the status and effects of transport on the outdoor air quality.

The project was launched this morning at Spazju Kreattiv. As part of this project, Żigużajg is showcasing the winning poster designs by the 5-10 year and the 11-16 year age groups from a Poster Design Competition hosted by ERA. This poster competition on Air Quality: Our Environment & Our Role, focused on air quality, covering aspects such as the science behind the air we breathe and the community’s role in minimising air pollution. The posters will remain exhibited for the public until Sunday 25th November.

This morning, Minister for the Environment Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change Hon Dr Herrera, along with ERA Director Environment & Resources Perit Michelle Piccinino, were shown around this exhibiton by Fondazzjoni Kreattività Chairman Rupert Cefai and ŻiguŻajg Festival Director Daniel Azzopardi. Fondazzjoni Kreattività Chairman Rupert Cefai pointed out that a children’s festival must safeguard our children’s future and work towards a healthy environment for all while Perit Michelle Piccinino recognised that in line with the aim of the festival, ERA’s project was set up to raise awareness on air quality and the role that each citizen has to improve air quality. Hon Dr Herrera also commended ERA’s work in reaching out to youths to empower them in thinking that their decisions have an impact on the environment. He said “It is important that children embrace the environment as an integral part of their lives”.

Submissions for this poster competition surpassed expectations. Hundreds of posters, including a considerable number from various schools around Malta were received by ERA, each one creative and artistic in its own right. Posters were judged and attractive prizes were awarded during a ceremony held earlier this year.

ŻiguŻajg is taking place between 16 and 25 November in Valletta, Malta and Gozo. This year the Festival is undertaking several environmentally-friendly measures, including separating waste and more eco-friendly gifts for children.​

ERA continues to implement the EMFF project for knowledge improvement and better management practices of pressures on the marine environment.

Marine Monitoring Consortium (M3C) have been commissioned by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to implement and update the existing marine monitoring programme and to develop a database of the data gathered. The scope of the monitoring programme is to assess the state of the marine environment. The M3C consortium is comprised of AIS Environment Ltd (Malta) and AZTI Tecnalia (Spain).

Devising a holistic approach towards marine monitoring is one of ERA’s ultimate goals for this European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF 2014-2020) project. The effective management and sustainable use of marine resources is for the benefit of the environment and for all marine sectors, including our economy. ERA is expected to absorb the full €1.6 million in public eligible EMFF funds (75% EU 25% MT), allocated for this programme to continue working towards achieving Good Environmental Status in our marine waters.

ERA will be sharing the concrete data and information obtained from the project with various entities. In this regard, the project will contribute towards reaching Malta’s obligations as an EU Member State in relation to the marine sector.

Four stakeholder workshops and a final conference will be held as part of the project in order to disseminate the knowledge garnered. The 2nd workshop was held on 5th October 2018 to:

• Introduce the project and its main objectives;
• Give an overview of the progress of the project so far;
• Describe some results collected during the first monitoring year;
• Outline the recommendations made for the updated monitoring programme; and
• Describe the plan for the second monitoring year.​

Besides representatives from ERA and M3C, other entities, which are directly or indirectly responsible for the marine environment, were present and also contributed feedback to the future of this project. Attendees included the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Ministry for Gozo, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Continental Shelf Directorate, Transport Malta, Environment and Health Directorate, Malta Marittima Agency, and the University of Malta.

For further information kindly contact [email protected]

The Environment and Resources Authority has prepared an Information Document to guide Green Infrastructure in Malta. This document is now open for public consultation. Green Infrastructure (GI) relates to landscaping and its planning in natural, rural and urban settings, and promotes greener approaches in landscaping and land management.

One of the main environmental challenges we face today is the small size of the country and the loss of biodiversity associated with degradation. The promotion of green infrastructure as well as several on-going and planned green infrastructure projects aim at expanding green open spaces in both rural and urban settings and reducing carbon and water footprint. Various initiatives are also supported by EU funds.

Michelle Piccinino, the Director of Environment and Resources at ERA said that “This is a relatively new concept in Malta. Green infrastructure is seen as a solution aimed at bettering quality of life, at improving water and air quality and maintaining biodiversity. This has multiple other social, health and economic benefits, besides the more obvious ecological benefits.”

The consultation document aims to provide an informative account of the concept of GI and is intended to help promote and motivate additional initiatives at various levels in line with relevant and applicable national laws. Throughout the consultation document, ERA underlines that GI needs to be developed whilst taking into account both the natural and social aspects to achieve a better quality of life.

The information document is available for consultation at the following link: https://era.org.mt/en/Documents/GI_InformationDocument-Consultation-ERA-18.pdf

For further information, kindly contact [email protected]​