marine protected areas in malta - … 02, 2015 · marine protected areas in malta . mpas in malta...
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MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN MALTA
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DIRECTORATE 23 November 2015
WHAT ARE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS?
MPAs Defined
1. Designated inshore and offshore areas to conserve the marine environment – offer protection to habitats, species and habitats important for certain species.
2. Specific set of regulations. 3. Terminology – MPA is a general term – SAC,
SPA, area around scuttled vessels, etc.
Natura 2000 sites
Key Protected Areas in Malta
Special Areas of Conservation
of International Importance
PROTECTED AREAS
Special Areas of Conservation
of National Importance
Special Protection Areas
Birds Directive Habitats Directive
Marine Protected Areas are declared under the
Environment & Development Planning Act
of 2010, with relevant provisions of the Habitats and Birds Directives being
transposed by Legal Notice 311 of 2006
DESIGNATION PROCESS
Identification of MPAs
1. Criteria mainly listed in the EU Nature Directives, particularly the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC);
2. Habitats and species for which MPAs must be designated are also included.
Identification of MPAs
3. Assessment at national level of sites’ relative importance.
• Representativty, connectivity, area covered, conservation status, population density, isolation.
4. EU Process: SCI/SAC and SPA in relation to Natura 2000
Designation of SACs(Annex III of Habitats Directive)
Stage 1: Assessment of Sites supportingAnnex 1 Habitat Types and
Harbouring Annex II species based onthe following criteria:
• Degree of Representativity • Area • Degree of conservation of habitat
structure, functions and restoration possibilities
• Global Assessment of Conservation Value
HABITATS SPECIES
• Population Size and Density • Degree of conservation of the
features of the habitats that are important for the species and restoration possibilities
• Degree of isolation of the population in relation to the species’ natural range
• Global Assessment of Conservation Value
Stage 2: Assess the sites at a biogeographical levelbased on the following criteria:
a) Relative value of the site at National Levelb) Total Area of the Site
c) Number of Annex I & Annex IIhabitats & species respectively
d) Global ecological value of the site atthe level of the Biogeographic region &/or
EU as a wholee) Relationship of the site to the migration route
of or its role as a part of an ecosystem onboth sides of one or more of the community
frontiers
Designation asSpecial Area of Conservation
(SAC)
Adoption of SCI
Submission of National List of potentialSites of Community Interestto European Commission
National List of Proposed sites classifiedaccording to their value for the conservation of each
natural habitat type in annex I or each speciesin Annex II & with priority species or habitats indicated
Darrin T Stevens –Environment Protection Directorate – Malta Environment & Planning Authority –
11
Wild Birds Directive Habitats Directive
Habitat Types, Plants and Animals –
Selection Process
Member State Proposal of Sites
Selection of Sites within the EU
(Community List)
SITE DESIGNATION
SAC
s of
Inte
rnat
iona
l Im
port
ance
NATURA 2000 SITES
Submerged or partially
submerged sea caves
Selected Habitats to be considered
Reefs
Estuaries
Submerged or partially
submerged sea caves
* Posidonia beds
Sandbanks
Caretta caretta Tursiops truncatus Gibbula nivosa
Calonectris diomedea Puffinus yelkouan
Hydrobates pelagicus
Selected Species to be considered
DESIGNATION PROCESS: PAST AND PRESENT
Natura 2000 Status
• Malta proposed the eligible sites as potential Sites of Community importance (SCIs) under the Habitats Directive and as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive.
• The first submission made by Malta was in December 2004. Further proposals were made in September 2006-2011, the latter including new marine sites.
• Malta is considered well advanced in the Natura 2000 process, but is working to update the areas with further assessments in relation to the marine environment.
Sufficiency in relation to the Habitats Directive & Natura 2000
17 Source: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/barometer/index_en.htm
Natura 2000 Status
• The need of further marine data’ assessments was recognised by Malta and the National Environment Programme (NEP) and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which include measures in this regard.
• Malta is required to designate further marine protected areas by end 2017, so as to be in line with national and international targets.
Natura 2000 Status
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN MALTA
MPAs in Malta
1. Five SCIs in the marine Natura 2000 network.
2. Mainly identified for Posidonia meadows and Gibbula nivosa.
3. Ongoing work on habitat and species assessments and mapping for the identification of other potential sites.
MPAs in Malta
• cover over 80% of Posidonia Beds. • with representativity of all subtypes. • over 18,000 ha
• host other habitat such as reefs & caves
• geographically well distributed
MPAs in Malta
• “Relative to its size, the country with the largest contribution was Malta, with 183 km2 of marine areas now designated, creating the basis for a solid marine network in the surrounding waters. The new Maltese marine sites will help the conservation of Posidonia sea grass beds and submerged reefs, and offer a vital habitat for the endemic Maltese Topshell Gibbula nivosa, a brightly coloured sea snail.”
• European Commission, November 2012
MPAs in Malta
MANAGEMENT OF MARINE
PROTECTED AREAS
Management of MPAs
• To establish the necessary conservation
measures and priorities for the management of Special Areas of Conservation and Special
Member States have six years from
acceptance of the sites as Natura 2000
by the European Commission to adopt
management measures
Protection Areas, to meet the ecological requirements of the habitats and species for which the site is designated;
Management of MPAs
To take appropriate steps to avoid the
deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated;
Management of MPAs
Management measures which may be in the form of a plan.
May involve zoning, with different designations of MPAs within one site.
Stakeholder involvement. Enhancement of artisanal practices & niche tourism.
DESIGNATION PROCESS: FUTURE
• Three LIFE+ projects were proposed and accepted: Malta Seabirds (launched 2011); Migratory Turtles and Cetaceans (MIGRATE, launched 2012) and Marine Habitats (Baħar, launched 2013);
• Further research on marine species was promoted and/or commissioned, further monitoring continued where relevant, and conservation status assessment continued;
• Malta also designated five marine areas in the process on the basis of existing information and proposed them as Natura 2000 sites, the latest additions in 2011 (accepted by the EU in November 2012).
Ongoing Activities
Ongoing Activities
Designation: ongoing activities aimed at identifying new SCIs and SPAs in line with the Nature Directives;
This includes implementation of three LIFE+ Projects: • LIFE Malta Sea Birds (lead: BirdLife Malta); • LIFE MIGRATE (lead: MEPA); and • LIFE BaHAR (lead: MEPA).
Ongoing Activities
Carlos Minguell © LIFE BaĦAR for N2K/OCEANA
Carlos Minguell © LIFE BaĦAR for N2K/OCEANA Carlos Minguell © LIFE BaĦAR for N2K/OCEANA
Carlos Minguell © LIFE BaĦAR for N2K/OCEANA
Ongoing Activities
• Monitoring: initial assessment on selected
descriptors, including seabirds; • the development of an integrated National
Marine Monitoring Programme linking the EU Nature Directives, the EU Water Framework Directive, the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and various related multilateral environmental treaties.
Ongoing Activities
• Management: commencing work on the
management planning and development of programme of measures for the designated MPAs;
• Reporting: regular reporting as required, including updates the conservation status of habitats and species and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan;
Stakeholder involvement
and participation
Ongoing Activities
Ongoing Activities
• Awareness: promotion
through biodiversity tours, communication and awareness campaigns, underwater trail, and related issues
For further Information: www.mepa.org.mt
THANK YOU