A European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Project on Marine Environmental Monitoring, has been launched towards the “effective management of Malta’s marine waters” – The duration of the project is two years.

It will initiate the implementation of sustained environmental monitoring in marine waters with the aim to assess the state of Malta’s marine waters on a continuous basis and address current knowledge gaps.

The project has been launched by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), on Marine Environmental Monitoring and partially funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for 2014-2020.

The ERA said that it will implement the Marine Monitoring Programme approved by Government in 2015.

Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change José Herrera said that the results of this project will contribute to effective management and sustainable use of marine resources, for the benefit of the environment and of all marine sectors.

Through this project, ERA will also continue working towards achieving Good Environmental Status in marine waters.

Minister Herrera stated that, “due to the magnitude of this initiative, the total cost for the implementation of the monitoring programme is expected to reach approximately €4 million.”

The ERA explained that marine waters are facing increasing pressures from human activities and this leads to the deterioration of the marine environment.

“Concrete data and information from the project will be used to develop better management practices to address these pressures. The project will also assist in the implementation of Malta’s obligations in the marine sector,” it said.

Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Dr Aaron Farrugia insisted that the European Union has to be a Union centred around projects, as after all projects unite people.

He said that, “these funds will also assist in the implementation of Malta’s obligations in the marine sector, while we utilise and absorb all the funds in the fisheries and aquaculture maritime sector.”

Miraine Rizzo, ERA official and project leader, stated that “ERA is looking forward to implementing this EU funded project since it will shed light on knowledge gaps, which are currently limiting our capacity to effectively manage the marine environment.”

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) will do its utmost to absorb the full €1.6 million in public eligible funds (75% EU 25% MT), which were allocated under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for 2014-2020 for the implementation of the marine monitoring programme.

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