Marine environment

Marine Resource Management (MRM) in the Maltese Islands

Malta's MRM mainly focuses on the sustainable use and protection of the country’s marine ecosystems. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has designated over 35% of its waters as protected areas under the EU Natura 2000 network, safeguarding habitats such as Posidonia meadows, reefs, and sea caves. Key management efforts include regulating fisheries, controlling marine pollution, and enforcing conservation measures through national legislation and EU directives like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Institutions such as the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Department of Fisheries oversee policy implementation, enforcement, and marine spatial planning. Despite challenges like overfishing, marine litter, and climate change, Malta is actively expanding marine protected areas, investing in monitoring and research, and promoting sustainable tourism and public awareness.

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