Nature Trust FEE Malta has welcomed the new law banning the collection of sea urchins from Maltese waters.

As an environmental NGO involved in the protection and management of Marine Ecosystems, NTM said that this two year moratorium is the right first step in ensuring that this species is allowed to regenerate in numbers.

It warned however that, “we must ensure that the right enforcement is also in place to truly see the successes of this new law.”

NTM explained that over the past years, “we have seen a rapid decline of sea urchins in local waters as a result of overexploitation of the species.”

This moratorium together with the restocking programme set forward by the Department of Aquaculture, come at the right moment in an effort to safeguard marine ecosystems, the NGO said.

Sea urchins, like all components of the food chain, are important components to the ecosystem. Being omnivores, therefore eating both plants and animals, these organisms are a vital part of the marine environment. Sea urchins largely feed on algae, ensuring a balance is present between coral structures and algal forests.

Through their feeding strategies, sea urchins keep algal forests from outgrowing corallinous coral structures, in turn ensuring reef resilience.

Sea urchins are also a source of food for various fish species such as Diplodus vulgaris and Diplodus sargus, crabs such as the spider crab and also marine snails. The spines of sea urchins also provide shelter to juveniles of various fish species.

The NGO said that this moratorium and restocking efforts, together with the right enforcement strategies will hopefully result in an increased abundance and a healthy population of this species.

Nature Trust – FEE Malta concluded by saying that has been also working on marine biodiversity issues these last year with regards Marine Turtles. The Cirkewwa marine Park creation, safeguarding turtle nesting sites and creating awareness on the problems on marine issue such a debris, pollution and ghost fishing equipment,

Photo: NTM

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