All posts by Maurice Aquilina

Action A3 will entail the exploration of the areas of interest or hotspots identified through action A2. These areas will be surveyed in view of the likelihood of hosting the following Habitats Directive Annex I habitats:
• 1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time
• 1170 Reefs
• 8330 Caves and partially submerged sea caves

The marine habitats, as well as species of interest that will be observed during the surveys, will be noted and included in the reports.

Two expeditions will be carried out during the project, with the first survey following the initial data collection from secondary sources and its interpretation (A1 and part of A2). Following this first expedition, the data generated will be interpreted through action A2, to prioritize those areas that require a second round of more detailed surveying. The second expedition will involve detailed surveys within the selected areas identified as being of primary importance, with the aim of gathering more detailed information required for the subsequent identification and designation of Natura 2000 sites.

Two scientific expeditions will be conducted in Maltese waters onboard a research vessel equipped with various equipment, including:
• an underwater robot (ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle);
• a single beam sonar and OLEX software
• divers and mechanical samplings (Van Veen grab);
• photography and videography using drop-down cameras and videos cameras;
• on-board lab (microscopes, loops, special software, etc.).

A bathymetric survey will also be carried out using a research vessel equipped with the side scan sonar and/or a multibeam echosounder (MBES), which data will be used to inform the detailed surveys and subsequent analysis.

Updates

2015 Expedition – Summary Report
2016 Expedition – Summary Report

2015 Expedition diaries
2015 Expedition videos

2016 Expedition diaries
2016 Expedition videos

Online Data Viewer

2015 Expedition Report (Online Version)
2016 Expedition Report (Online Version)

Through action A2, the existing data collected through action A1 and the new data collected through two survey expeditions will be analysed and interpreted.

The first analysis will be based on the first data collection exercise carried out through action A1. The aim is to document the suitability, usefulness and quality of existing data and investigate at a broad level the types of habitats present within the 25 nautical mile Fisheries Management Zone surrounding the Maltese Islands. The data collected will enable the identification of likely locations of the habitats under investigation, namely sandbanks, reefs and submerged and semi-submerged caves, as well as the identification of gaps in data and where little information is available. The analysis will thus allow identification of the potential areas hosting the habitats to be surveyed and will result in a broad map with the interpreted habitats and hotspots.

The second analysis will focus on data collected through the initial surveys, to identify habitats of interest, prioritization of protected habitats and to identify remaining gaps and if any additional information on particular sites needs to be collected. This analysis will thus contribute to the second phase of surveying by focusing efforts in specific areas and where key information would still be required.

The third analysis will follow the second surveying phase of action A3. This third data analysis will contribute towards the final assessment of the habitats under study by establishing as much as practically possible the habitat type (as per standard classifications), their location, representativity (excellent, good, significant, non-significant), relative coverage (%, where applicable), degree of conservation (structure, function and restoration possibilities), the type of species assemblages present and any species of particular note, as well as threats and pressures.

Updates
A2 phase 1 – Summary Report

A2 phase 2 – Summary Report

A2 phase 3 – Summary Report

A2 phase 3 – Detailed Report (Online version)

Action A1 aims to establish what data about the marine environment exists for Malta’s 25 nautical mile zone through the carrying out a desktop data collection exercise that will enable identification of the areas to be surveyed.

The desktop exercise involves the collection of relevant secondary data from different data sources together with input from the project beneficiaries. The possibility of using remotely acquired images shall also be considered for coastal areas with shallow waters. Moreover a desktop study of threats and pressures shall also be carried out. Threats and pressures as identified from the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Initial Assessment as well as other projects, such as the EU’s FP7 project ‘Monitoring and Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas’ (MESMA), will be included.

This data will be input into a Geographic Information System (GIS) and a Metadata Catalogue created. Action A1 will also aim to facilitate and oversee collation of full ISO / INSPIRE standard metadata. Compliance with ISO/INSPIRE standards will allow for the information collected to be presented in such a way that it is easily transferred and used by end-users.

The data collected will be analysed and interpreted through the initial phase of action A2.

Updates

A1 – Summary Report