Introduction

The marine environment is associated with diverse ecosystem services that are essential for human wellbeing. As a result of various human activities and use of the marine environment, marine biodiversity is facing various threats and challenges.  Hence the importance of ensuring sustainable use of marine resources. To better manage the marine environment, Malta has designated Marine Protected Areas for the conservation of important habitats and species (Conservation Measures and Objectives) and issued Programmes of Measures targeting the sustainable use of the wider marine waters (3rd RBMP Malta and MFSD Programme of Measures). Malta’s European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF 2021-2027, provides the opportunity for funding implementation of such management processes. The Environment and Resources Authority will be handling projects falling within the scope of Specific Objective 1.6 of the EMFAF Operational Programme. 

In order to address Specific Objective 1.6, the project shall seek to:

  • engage all relevant stakeholders throughout the implementation of marine management processes to achieve effective management of marine uses.
  • provide the necessary knowledge and information to ensure informed management decisions and enable capacity building for management processes.
  • raise awareness on the importance of marine resources to enable behavioural changes that contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems.
  • implement restoration efforts to assist in the recovery of marine habitats and species.

 

Expected results

The project is expected to result in improved engagement of stakeholders in management processes for Marine Protected Areas and the wider marine environment, which coupled to a strong investment in awareness raising, is expected to facilitate uptake of sustainable practices and uses by relevant sectors.

The project will also result in improved knowledge on the importance of the marine environment across the general public which will facilitate behavioural changes contributing to conservation of marine habitats and species. Furthermore, the project will result in the reduction of disturbance to sensitive species from anthropogenic activity and improve knowledge on restoration processes for seabed habitats.

Overall, the project is expected to increase trends in the sustainability of marine uses and marine restoration linked to a better quality of the marine environment, better quality for marine users and also to ensure the availability of marine resources for future generations and economic viability which are dependent on such resources. In addition, the project will contribute to other EU policy objectives including the targets of the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

 

Project Details

Project Reference: EMFAF.P1.209

Project Title: “Marine Conservation: An inclusive approach to managing marine resources”

Duration: June 2024 – December 2027

Total funds: €7,750,000

EU Contribution: €5,425,000

Project Location: Malta

 

Beneficiaries

Lead: Environment and Resources Authority

Partners: Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources Malta, Transport Malta, Ambjent Malta, Birdlife Malta and Nature Trust Malta

Introduction

The TREASURE project seeks to improve environmental quality in and around Mediterranean port areas, by mitigating and reducing sediment and water pollution; a common challenge and problem in port areas. The project was approved under the second Call of the Interregional Cooperation Programme “Euro-MED 2021-2027”.

The aims are to:

  • identify an ecosystem with multiple stakeholders to create open pilot laboratories or territorial mini-labs: this involves effective cross-sector and cross-cutting governance frameworks to deal with the challenges of pollution in port areas.
  • define an integrated approach to environmental quality assessment for the preservation and restoration of the land-sea ecosystem.
  • test and experiment new techniques for the remediation of degraded and polluted port areas.

Expected results

  • A TREASURE solution for Environmental Quality in Port Areas taken up by all territories participating in the consortium (as a minimum).
  • An Action Plan by each territory, involving the right stakeholders, approval of the Action Plan and its implementation.
  • Building institutional capacity in the participant organisations which capacity will increase their expertise in environmental management and pollution reduction in and around port areas. This will include: capacity to operate in a multi-stakeholder framework, run in a multistakeholder lab format, have expertise in measuring environmental impact, knowledge of novel pollution reduction techniques and their suitability for application in a specific port area.

As a stakeholder in this project, ERA stands to benefit as the project’s outcomes are expected to provide enhanced environmental knowledge on one of Malta’s heavily modified water bodies (Port il-Kbir area). Moreover, the project will explore the use of the novel techniques for solutions for pollution attributed to activities within the port.

Project Details

Project Reference: Euro-MED0200218
Project Title: “Testing novel environmental quality measures in and around Euro-MED ports”
Duration: January 2024 – September 2026
Total funds: €2,500,000
EU Contribution: €2,000,000

Beneficiaries

Lead : ASEV – Italy
Partners : Ispra – Italy, Port of Bar – Montenegro, Fundacion Valenciaport – Spain, Durres Port Authority, PMM – TVT – France, Transport Malta (TM) – Malta, Piraeus Port Authority – Greece, CEI – Executive Secretariat – Italy.
Stakeholder: The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is assisting the Maltese partner, TM on technical aspects related to the environment.

Further information about the project can be accessed through the:

Project Website: Home – Interreg Euro-MED – TREASURE

Linkedin: Link