All posts by lifebahar

MEPA, in collaboration with the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP), launched the competition ‘Our Sea – Our Identity’ on the 27th October 2014 as part of the awareness raising campaign of the Life BaĦAR for N2K project. The competition was open to all residents of Malta and Gozo and sought outstanding images depicting the interaction of people in the Maltese archipelago with their marine surroundings, and images of marine habitats and species native to the Mediterranean. Selected photos from the competition will be included in an outdoor street photographic exhibition that will be held in the summers of 2015 and 2016. The entries were judged by an independent expert panel of judges selected by the MIPP and MEPA.

The judging of the photographs was held on the 30th January 2015 and the three winning entries selected by the panel were ‘Diving’ by Joe Formosa, ‘San Blas’ by Phil Pryce and ‘Open Water’ by Sonia Silvio.

A photographic Competition and Exhibition is being organised by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) in collaboration with the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP).

The theme of the photographic competition is ‘Our Sea – Our Identity’.

The organizers are looking for outstanding images that depict the interaction of people in the Maltese archipelago with their marine surroundings. Suitable subjects may include divers, ferry crossings, boats, marine habitats and species native to the Mediterranean, seascapes, fishermen, bathers, beaches, etc.

20 photos will be selected and each printed on A0 display material. These will then be exhibited on panels in an outdoor street photographic exhibition that will be set up in a number of different localities around Malta and Gozo over the summer in 2015 and 2016.

12 photographs may be selected to feature in a calendar promoting the Life BaĦAR project.

Printing, mounting and the setting up of the exhibitions are the responsibility of MEPA, and the entrant does not incur any costs.

Entries are to be handed in to MEPA Communications Office, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., (weekdays only) up to and including the 12 December 2014.

Download application here

The first stakeholder seminar was held on the 8th May 2014 at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) in Għammieri.

Ms Roberta Mifsud – Senior Fisheries Resource Manager within DFA, gave an overview of the aims of the seminar emphasising the importance of stakeholder participation.

Mr Alan Borg, from MEPA’s International Projects Team, mentioned other important projects related to the LIFE+ Funding Program and gave an overview of the financial aspect of the project.

Ms Raffaella Zammit – MEPA Environment Protection Officer, gave a general description of the aims and objectives of the project and of the various project actions.

Ms Marie Louise Pace – Manager (Research Projects) within DFA, gave a detailed overview of Action A1, which action is being led by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Action A1 involves the collection of existing data which will be used to identify areas to be surveyed.

A discussion was subsequently held on potential sources of data and data providers, as well as the type of data that could be obtained and how this could be collected and mapped.

The launch of the LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project was held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on the 28th April 2014. Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar delivered the introductory speech.

The Hon. Leo Brincat – Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, delivered a speech, focusing on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Malta’s achievements with regards to the designation of protected areas and the challenges faced in terms of biodiversity protection and conservation.

The Hon. Dr Michael Falzon – Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes, highlighted the need for management planning of protected areas, and the importance of coordination between the different stakeholders.

The Hon. Roderick Galdes – Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, welcomed the involvement of the local fishers (amongst other stakeholders) in the process of extending the existing Sites of Community Importance, as this approach will facilitate future management.

Dr Joseph A. Borg – Head of the Department of Biology within the University of Malta, gave a speech highlighting the research carried out by the Department in the field of marine biology.

Mr Ricardo Aguilar – Research Director for  Fundación Oceana, provided an overview of Oceana’s involvement in the project and of past campaigns carried out by Oceana in the field of marine conservation.

Ms Raffaella Zammit – Environment Protection Officer within MEPA’s Site Designation and Management Team, delivered a technical presentation about the project, its main goals and the project partners.