The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has commissioned a consortium to work on a project that is producing concrete data and information, which will aid in ameliorating management practices and address pressures on marine environmental resources. The project will assist the implementation of Malta’s obligations as an EU Member State in relation to the marine environmental sector.
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 Maltese marine waters.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF 2014-2020) project is entitled “Implementation and updating of marine monitoring programmes, assessment of environmental status and development of a marine database system.” ERA commissioned Malta Marine Monitoring Consortium (M3C), comprised of AIS Environment Ltd (Malta) and AZTI Tecnalia (Spain).
As part of the project tasks, M3C organised the fourth and last stakeholder seminar, which was held on 27th February, 2019. During this session, the project and its main objectives were introduced and results that were collected during the first and second monitoring year were described. Additionally, the final steps of the project were described, together with policy implementation and reporting matters.
Entities including the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry for Gozo, the Continental Shelf Directorate, the Environmental Health Directorate, the Planning Authority, and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture were represented at the workshop.
A closing conference will be held in May, during which the results of the monitoring data and the assessment of environmental status will be disseminated. Furthermore, the marine database system that has been developed as part of this project will also be promoted.
For further information, please contact [email protected] or call on +356 2292 3500 Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm.
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. Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020 Project part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Co-financing rate: 75% European Union funds; 25% national funds Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
A downloadable version of the press release may be obtained from this link.