Category Archives: News – Project Updates

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.