Every year substantial amounts of lubricating oils become unfit for the use they were originally intended and due to their hazardous properties, pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems. On the other hand, waste oils have a very high recovery potential and therefore represent a valuable resource if properly managed. Hence the need to collect waste oils separately, so as to avoid any environmental contamination and channel them to the most appropriate waste management alternatives.

The management of waste oils in Malta is governed by the Waste Regulations, which provide for the separate collection and the treatment of such waste in accordance with the principles of the Waste Management Hierarchy and the protection of human health and the environment.

Useful links:

• List of permitted Waste Management Facilities
• List of permitted Waste Carriers
• List of permitted Waste Brokers

Ship breaking activities across the globe have been a cause for concern for several years due to the negative impacts caused on tidal beaches as well as the high mortality rates associated with the dismantling of large vessels. As a result, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) developed the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (more commonly known as the Hong Kong Convention) to improve the health and safety aspects of current ship breaking practices. The Hong Kong Convention, although adopted in 2009 has not yet entered into force. Regulation (EC) No 1257/2013 on ship recycling (known as the Ship Recycling Regulation) aims to reduce the negative impacts linked to the recycling of ships flying the flag of Member States of the Union and was also implemented to facilitate the early ratification of the Hong Kong Convention by European Union Member States and third countries.

The Ship Recycling Regulation does not apply to:

(i) Any warships, naval auxiliary, or other ships owned or operated by a state and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service;

(ii) Ships of less than 500 gross tonnage (GT);

(iii) Ships operating throughout their life only in waters subject to the  sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member State whose flag the ship is flying.

The Ship Recycling Regulation establish requirements, which ships and ship recycling facilities have to fulfil in order to ensure that the recycling of vessels takes place in an environmentally sound and safe manner. The said Regulation prohibits the use of certain hazardous materials on board ships and requires any EU-flagged ship going for dismantling to have an on-board inventory of hazardous materials (IHM), including information on the quantities of such materials as well as their location, with a view to facilitate recycling of vessels.

Flow chart on Ship recycling regulation

Further information on the Ship Recycling Regulation.

Seagrasses

Neptune grass Posidonea Oceanica

English  Posidonia beds

Maltese  il-mergħat tal-alka, il-mergħat tal-posidonja

Seagrasses, as the name implies, are closely related to plants on land, and have roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. Seagrass meadows, are an important habitat, and are afforded protection through several legal instruments.
They offer/constitute important feeding and nursery areas for various marine animals, and are crucial in supporting marine biodiversity. Seagrasses also stabilise the sediment, which reduces erosion and wave and current energy, protecting the coastline and beaches. They also absorb nutrients from runoff and cycle nutrients into the water, improving water clarity and quality, and are an important carbon sink, helping to combat climate change.
These meadows are sensitive to anchoring, overfishing and pollution. One should not anchor, moor or sit on seagrass meadows.

esser Neptune grass Cymodocea nodosa on sandy seabed

English  Cymodocea nodose association

Maltese Alka Rqiqa

Algal communities

Sargassum algal community

English  Sargassum ssp. algal community

Maltese  komunità tal-alga sargassu

Algal communities are found growing on reefs, in caves, along rocky shores and in the vicinity of seagrass meadows. The characteristic species vary, depending on the conditions present. For example, well-lit areas on gently sloping rocky shores support macroalgal communities with belts of brown algae such as Cystoseira species that form three-dimensional canopies, whereas shaded rocks are inhabited by calcareous red algae (Corallinales).

Several species of the genus Cystoseira and Sargassum are under strict protection, therefore they cannot be damaged or picked.

The sheer vertical cliffs along the southwestern coast are favoured by the red alga Lithophyllum byssoides, which form concretions in the form of platforms, also referred to as algal rims or ‘trottoirs’.

Coralline Algae

English  Coralline algae

Maltese  komunità ta’ algi korallini

Reefs

Geogenic reef with invertebrates

English  Reef

Maltese  is-sikka

Reefs are an important habitat that are very diverse in terms of the communities they support They are considered ‘biodiversity hotspots’ and host a variety of different species, including corals, sponges, molluscs, crustaceans and fish.

Geogenic reefs are made of geological features, such as boulders or rocks that create a three-dimensional structure. There are a variety of coastal reefs, such as vertical rock walls (the underwater part of coastal cliffs), sheer or stepped drop-offs (underwater cliffs), rocky shoals and boulder fields. In deeper waters, geogenic reefs may take the form of escarpments and seamounts.

Species growing on reefs are fragile and sensitive, and therefore they should not be touched. In view of this, they are afforded protection through several legal instruments.

Biogenic reefs are concretions formed from dead or living organisms, which provide a surface where other species can live. Malta’s offshore waters are home to such reef habitats, including diverse deep sea communities of cold water corals at depths of 300 – 1000m and a fossilised stony sponge reef, at depths of around 300m off the North coast of Gozo.

Many of areas in which these deep sea habitats are have been designated as marine protected areas due to the presence of these reefs, while a number of the cold water coral species (Cnidaria) that form these reefs are also strictly protected in themselves, such as the Smooth Black Coral (Leiopathes glaberrima), Zigzag Coral (Madrepora occulata), Red Coral (Corallium rubrum) and Stony Coral/Deep Water Coral (Lophelia pertusa).

mixed deep water reef with sponge, red coral and black coral

English  Deep-water mixed reef assemblage including black coral, red coral and sponges

Maltese Sikka tal-baħar fond li tinkludi qroll iswed, qroll aħmar, u sponoż.

Caves

English  Cave/reef habitat

Maltese  Għar tal-baħar / sikka

Caves around the Maltese Islands have been formed over time through wave action and geological processes. So called ‘karst caves’ and ‘sinkholes’ along the coast create impressive landscapes on land and under water.
The environmental conditions within underwater caves vary depending on the size and structure of the caves, the extent to which they are submerged, the exposure to waves and currents, as well as changes in temperature, salinity and light. These varying conditions will in turn affect which communities of living organisms are found within.
Sea caves harbour communities of marine invertebrates and algae near the mouth of the cave. These communities change along the gradients of light intensity and turbulence occurring from the entrance to the inner parts of the cave. The conditions of low light and temperature found in caves can be similar to deep-water habitats, so that organisms usually found in deeper waters often inhabit caves, even in relatively shallow water.

Species growing on cave walls, such as sponges and bryozoans, are fragile and sensitive, and therefore they should not be touched. In view of this, caves are afforded protection through several legal instruments.

A number of deep sea caves have also been discovered at depths of 200 to 780m, which are thought to have been formed a very long time ago, possibly during the Messinian age 5-7million years ago, when the Mediterranean Sea was dry in many places.

Underwater cave wall with bryozoans including Reteporella elegans, with survey diver in background

English  Marine cave with bryozoans

Maltese Għar fil-baħar bi ‘bryozoans’

Sediments

Sandy seabed

Sediment habitats are the most widespread type of habitat found on the ocean floor. These habitats range from boulders and cobbles, through pebbles and shingle, coarse sands, sands, fine sands, muds, and mixed sediments.
Although these seabed habitats often appear barren, they are in fact home to many benthic (bottom-living) species that live in, or on, the sediments, including molluscs, crustaceans and fish. For this reason these habitats are often important fisheries grounds.

Sea pen

English Sea pen Pennatula phosphorea on deep sea muddy bottom

Maltese Pjuma tal-baħar Pennatula phosphorea fuq tajn tal-baħar fond

Rhodolith accumulations are a particular sedimentary habitat, that have been recorded in several sites off Malta’s eastern coast at depths of 50 m to 100 m. Rhodoliths are colourful, unattached nodules formed by calcareous red algae, which may take a number of different forms, ranging from compact spherical nodules to ones with twiglike branches. Accumulations can range from sparse nodules occurring individually to dense beds. Due to this complex architecture, this habitat supports a rich biodiversity and in Maltese is referred to as ‘ramel ħaj’ which translates to ‘living sand’.

Rhodoliths

English Rhodolith accumulations

Maltese  Akkumulazzjonijiet ta’ rodoliti

Legend

Protected habitat / species

Malta’s marine Natura 2000 network encompasses 18 sites and covers over 4100 km2, equivalent to more than 35% of Malta’s Fisheries Management Zone, and was established over a period of 10 years, for the conservation of important habitats and species.

The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), designated for the protection of marine habitats and species pursuant to the EU Habitats Directive, and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) designated for the protection of seabirds under the EU Birds Directive.

Between 2008 and 2012, five areas – covering about 190 km2 in total – were identified, mainly to protect beds of the Neptune seagrass Posidonia oceanica – an important habitat for coastal biodiversity. Three of these areas also host the protected sea snail – the Maltese topshell (Steromphala nivosa).

In 2016, the number of protected zones was increased to cover more than 3400 km2 as a result of the LIFE Migrate and LIFE+ Malta Seabird projects, which identified sites that are important for the loggerhead turtle (Carretta carretta), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and three seabirds that breed in the Maltese Islands: the Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), the Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) and the European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus).

In 2018, the network was extended as a result of the LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project, which led to a further three inshore and five offshore areas being proposed for the protection of cave and reef habitats: the three inshore areas and three of the offshore areas were extensions of existing MPAs, while the other two offshore areas were new sites. The project data on which the new MPAs were based can be viewed on these interactive maps.

The sites were declared through G.N. 682 of 2018 – Declaration of SACs – International Importance & SPAs, and adopted in the Natura 2000 network through Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/96.

The datasheets and maps of the marine Natura 2000 sites can be found here.

Management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) should be geared at improving or maximising the contribution of the sites to the maintenance or achievement of Favourable Conservation Status of the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directive and the protection of seabirds in accordance with the Birds Directive. For this purpose, ‘conservation objectives’ need to be set to guide management processes and enable measurement of progress towards achievement of the overall objectives of the two Directives.

A conservation objective is defined as “the specification of the overall target for the species and/or habitat types for which a site is designated in order for it to contribute to maintaining or reaching favourable conservation status”.  While Favourable Conservation Status is defined at the level of the natural range of the habitat or species, management related to the contribution of the site to the achievement of such objective needs to be based on site-specific objectives that consider the ecological functions of the protected areas.

Conservation measures are then developed to achieve these objectives. The measures have the scope of managing activities that can exert pressure on these habitats and species, as well as addressing knowledge gaps that are of relevance for the management of these areas.

An initial consultation was carried out by the Environment and Resources Authority in 2019 as part of the process to define the conservation objectives and measures for the management of all of Malta’s MPAs.  The proposed conservation objectives and measures were issued for public consultation on 10th July 2021 – 5th September 2021. The Conservation Objections and Measures were subsequently revised, taking into consideration the feedback received from stakeholders, general public, and the European Commission.
The Conservation Objectives and Conservation Measures were formally approved and published in January 2023.

A number of measures addressing pressures in MPAs have also been included in the MSFD Programme of Measures.

Documents

Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Marine Natura 2000 Sites  (Final 2023)
Consultation Brief –  Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Marine Natura 2000 sites
Draft Policy – Conservation Measures and Objectives for Malta’s Marine Natura 2000 sites – Version for Public Consultation (2021)
Draft Policy – Public Consultation Submissions and Responses
Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening

Links

FAQS – Malta’s Marine Protected Area Network
Natura 2000 in Malta
Natura 2000 Datasheets and Maps
LIFE BaHAR for N2K project
LIFE Migrate project
LIFE Malta Seabirds project
LIFE Archipelagu Garnija project
Snorkel Trails

​What can you do?

Alien species may be introduced into a new environment either intentionally or unintentionally. Should such species manage to survive, reproduce and spread throughout its new territory it could cause harm to the environment, human health or the economy. The most cost-effective and environmentally desirable action against invasive alien species (IAS) is preventing such species from entering the natural environment. Preventive measures for intentional introductions could include restrictions on their import, movement or use; the undertaking of risk assessments, and having adequate border controls.

Ballon vine
Balloon vine, tuffieħ ir-riħ

On the other hand, unintentional introductions (which may involve escapes, contaminants, stowaways or hitchhikers) are much harder and challenging to prevent. The best way of preventing such introductions is through the identification of their pathways of introduction and spread, and addressing such means of introduction. In line with the provisions of the EU IAS Regulations, ERA has drafted an action plan to address pathways of unintentional introduction and spread for invasive alien species of Union concern.

Despite, having appropriate preventive measures in place it is not always possible to avert the introduction of invasive alien species. The detection of introduced species at an early stage of establishment is considered to be of essence as this increases the chances of eradication.

To this end, ERA adapted the Invasive Alien Species in Europe app to the local Maltese environment with detailed information and photos of the IAS of European and local concern, making it possible for anyone to capture images of these species and submit a report including location and any relevant complementary information, using their own mobile phones’ GPS system and camera. ERA urges the public to start using this app which will help win the battle against invasive alien species not only in Malta, but also in Europe in general.

The public is therefore encouraged to report to ERA on the locations of invasive alien species of EU or national concern that are detected in the environment.

Crimson fountaingrass
Crimson fountaingrass, il-pjuma

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs), contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

What is being done?

In order to safeguard Malta’s rich biodiversity, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was launched for adoption on 12th December 2012. The national strategy defines a comprehensive framework to safeguard Malta’s biodiversity over the period 2012-2020. It includes measures to address the issue of invasive alien species (IAS), and to maintain or improve the conservation status of threatened and/or protected native species.

Indeed, Target 9 of Malta’s NBSAP aims to prevent, as far as practical, the introduction and establishment of new IAS and identifies and priorities those invasive species which are established. Instead, measures BI2 and BI4 of the NBSAP identify the need to set up a systematic and coherent National Strategy on Invasive Alien Species​ and the publication of National Codes of Good Practice on Invasive Alien Species, respectively; these have been issued for public consultation in 2018.

In addition to such policies, other guidance documents have also been published, such as the “Guidelines on managing n​on-native plant invaders and restoring native plant communities in terrestrial settings in the Maltese Islands“, which provides guidance, both on the removal of invasive plants, and on efforts for reinstating or restoring native plant communities.

In 2015, Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species came into force with the aim to control various IAS. In this regard, it established a list of Union concern. This regulation has been transposed into national legislation through the Control of Invasive Alien Species of European Union Concern Regulations (S.L. 549.119).

Century plants being removed by ERA
Century plants being removed by ERA: before (left), after (right)
There are three options on how to control the spread of IAS:
  1. eradication;
  2. containment, or;
  3. control.

Eradication is the favoured approach; however, it is only practical when the invasion is at its early stages, that is, when the populations are small and isolated. On the other hand, both control (which reduces the presence of the invader) and containment (which limits its further spread) aid in addressing larger invasions. Nonetheless, the latter two approaches require indefinite investments of time, effort and money to keep the invader at bay.

A well-planned eradication programme is arduous and lengthy. It should consider various aspects, amongst which:

  • habitat conditions and requirements;
  • repeated interventions;
  • resource availability;
  • regular monitoring, as well as;
  • the possibility of future invasions​.

In collaboration with Ambjent Malta, ERA is implementing the management plans for Natura 2000 protected areas (Għadira s-Safra, Comino, Majjistral Park, etc.), and therefore addressing various actions aimed to remove IAS, such as century plant (MT: l-agave; SN: Agave spp.), devil’s backbone (MT: N/A; SN: Kalanchoe daigremontiana), kaffir fig (MT: xuxett San Ġwann; SN: Carpobrotus spp.), acacias (MT: l-akaċja; SN: Acacia spp.), giant reed (MT: il-qasba kbira; SN: Arundo donax), water hyacinth (MT: N/A; SN: Eichhornia crassipes), rats (MT: il-firien; SN: Rattus spp.), etc.

For implementation and research to be effective in both policy making and control of alien species, it is important to raise awareness and understand the distribution of alien species, their invasive potential and prioritise accordingly. The ‘IAS in Europe’ app facilitates the dissemination of information, surveillance, which enables the adoption of efficient measures for prevention as well as early detection and control, leading to reduction of ecological and economical damages that IAS may cause. ERA urges the public to start using this app which will help win the battle against invasive alien species not only in Malta, but also in Europe in general.

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs), contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

The Maltese Islands harbour a diverse array of native species, a number of which are found nowhere else in the world. Such species are termed as ‘endemic’. They contribute significantly to Malta’s natural heritage. Some endemic species are also critically endangered since they require specific conditions and habitats that result from geographical isolation and long-term evolution.

Levantine frog

Due to their insular nature, the Maltese Islands are particularly vulnerable to bio-invasions. Over the years, several alien species have been introduced in Malta; some accidentally but others intentionally, even with the misconception that these would improve local biodiversity. While only a few of the introduced alien species reach an invasive status, the latter can have considerable environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Cape sorrel
Cape sorrel

For instance, the kaffir fig (MT: xuxett San Ġwann; SN: Carpobrotus spp.) and the very common Cape sorrel (MT: il-ħaxixa Ingliża; SN: Oxalis pes-caprae) are very prolific species that literally carpet whole areas, smothering local species in the process. Perhaps a more tangible example is that of the red palm weevil (MT: il-bumunqar aħmar; SN: Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), which decimated thousands of palm trees across the Maltese Islands; the nuisance and health issues associated with the introduction of the Asian tiger mosquito (MT: in-nemusa tigra; SN: Aedes albopictus), or the introduced species of Levantine frog (MT: il-qorru; SN: Pelophylax bedriagae), which directly competes with the local painted frog (MT: iż-żrinġ; SN: Discoglossus pictus pictus).

Kaffir fig
Kaffir fig

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs), contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species provides for a set of restrictions and measures to be undertaken across the EU for invasive alien species (IAS) list of Union concern. Such species are subject to restrictions on their keeping, importation, sale, breeding and growing, in addition to measures for their early detection, eradication or management.

As an owner of a pet/companion animal of species included in the Union list, you may keep your pet, provided that the animal was acquired prior to the inclusion of the species on the Union list, and is kept in a contained holding were reproduction or escape is not possible.

Slider turtles
Slider turtles

If for any reason you are no longer able to continue to keep or care for your pet, it is recommend that the animal is adequately re-homed by, for example, donating it to a responsible third party or to an animal shelter. One must ensure that any donated/transferred animals are kept in a contained holding, and such specimens are not released into the natural environment, since these may potentially harm local fauna and flora.

Red swamp crayfish
Red swamp crayfish

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs), contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species provides for a set of restrictions and measures to be undertaken across the EU for invasive alien species (IAS) list of Union concern. Such species are subject to restrictions on their keeping, importation, sale, breeding and growing, in addition to measures for their early detection, eradication or management.

As a commercial owner/keeper however, you may sell or transfer specimens to non-commercial users for up to one year following the inclusion of the concerned species on the Union list, provided that the concerned specimens were acquired prior to such listing and are kept in a contained holding. Prior to the sale/transfer of any invasive alien species of Union concern it is recommended to duly inform customers on the restrictions in place and the requirement to keep such specimens in contained holding.

Common myna
Common myna

Keeping a specimen in a “contained holding” means keeping the animal in confinement such that escape/spread is not possible. Considering the ease of dispersal of seeds (e.g. through wind, birds etc.), the keeping of invasive flora of Union concern in gardens is prohibited, and such plants or trees should be kept in fully enclosed spaces such as aquaria, greenhouses or indoors.

Moreover, for up to two years from the date of inclusion of a species on the Union list, commercial owners/keepers of such specimens may:

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs), contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links