The SIMBIOTIC Project (enhancing Sicily Malta BIOgeographical Transboundary Insular Connectivity) was officially concluded today, Friday, the 27th of September, at a Steering Committee meeting.

The event was attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Dr Ian Borg. Institute of Earth Systems Director and SIMBIOTIC Project Leader Dr Louis F. Cassar, Eco-Gozo Regional Development Director, Mr Anthony Zammit, University of Catania Professor Anna Guglielmo, and Comune di Pachino Mayor Mr Paolo Bonaiuto were among the other distinguished participants.

The SIMBIOTIC Project served as a pilot project to restore a Sicilian Natura 2000 protected coastal wetland of primary national and European Community importance in southeast Sicily. In Gozo, the main aim was to rehabilitate natural stepping stones of Mediterranean maquis habitat in the island’s natural landscape to enhance the ecological connectivity of local flora and fauna, including migrating bird species of the transboundary area.

A number of ancillary activities were organised during the project including stakeholder meetings, a SIMBIOTIC Open Day in the Government Experimental Farm, Xewkija Gozo, where a number of carob trees plantlets were given to the participants, and a tree planting event in Ta’ l-Ghasfura area in Mgarr, Malta.

The project was managed by the operational programme (OP) Italia-Malta 2007-2013 which is a transboundary cooperational programme part-financed by the European Union (ERDF).

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