Currently there are 37 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites designated in the Maltese Islands. The consideration of site management for such sites emanates from a legal requirement to prepare conservation measures for protected sites under the Environment Protection Act (CAP. 549) and the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44) , as transposed from the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
Most sites within the terrestrial Natura 2000 Network have management plans in place, while some of the smaller sites are also covered through Conservation Orders. The primary aim of these policies is to improve or maximise the contribution of these sites for:
- the maintenance or achievement of a Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) of the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC,
- and the protection of seabirds in accordance with the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has initiated the revision process for the “Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Terrestrial Natura 2000 sites”, in line with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44). The revised conservation objectives and measures for Malta’s terrestrial Natura 2000 sites build upon Malta’s first ‘‘Management Plans and Conservation Orders for Terrestrial Natura 2000 Sites in Malta & Gozo’’ which were adopted in 2016, in order to continue the Government’s long-term efforts on Natura 2000 site management and biodiversity conservation.
Thus far, 13 Natura 2000 sites have had their management plans updated. This revision process is being carried out in a staggered approach to facilitate consultation and adoption. The management planning exercise involves gathering information, carrying out surveys, defining conservation objectives, and identifying management measures, with intensive stakeholder involvement throughout the entire process.
For more information on these management plans, please contact [email protected]
Documents
Natura 2000 Management Planning for Terrestrial Sites in Malta & Gozo
