The Environment and Resources Authority, has said that following scientific assessments carried in relation to seabirds in Gozo and Malta worked with other relevant entities to protect breeding seabirds through a number of measures, which have now come into force.

The Second Assessment of the Status of Seabirds in Malta, published by ERA in 2020, has shown that the status of the three main breeding seabird species in Malta is good, it said.

ERA explained that the “current data indicates that the populations of the Mediterranean storm-petrel (il-kangu ta’ Filfla) and the yelkouan shearwater (il-garnija) “appear to be stable, with possible increases in the latter, which may be attributable to either an increased monitoring effort or conservation measures, or both. The Scopoli’s shearwater (ic-ciefa) also appears stable, albeit with possible declines.”

The assessment is available to view by clicking here.

ERA stated that this assessment process was also made possible with EU and national funding, including scientific research conducted through various projects.

Through the results of one such project, namely the the LIFE Arcipelagu Garnija Project, the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) and Transport Malta (TM), in conjunction with BirdLife Malta (BLM) and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (MECP), have worked together on the development and publication of Notices to Mariners strengthening further the protection to Malta’s breeding seabird populations.

The Notices were issued by Transport Malta following discussions with ERA, following consultations with industry stakeholders so as to secure an adequate balance in relation to adequate protection to our biodiversity and minimising socio-economic impacts, it said.

The ERA said that the Notices to Mariners are linked with Natura 2000 sites protected by the ERA, and will include updates to the existing Notice to Mariners at L-Irdum tal-Madonna (off l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha), as well as, newly proposed Notice to Mariners at coastal marine areas:

Gozo-Comino: Ta’ Cenc and Dwejra, then in there is Santa Marija Caves, Comino and Cominotto.

In Malta: L-Irdum tal-Madonna, l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha, St. Paul’s Islands, Majjistral Nature and History Park, Migra l-Ferha and the Blue Grotto, Zurrieq.

The first Notice to Mariners lists eight sensitive sites where Yelkouans are breeding and which are often visited by boats.

Another Notice to Mariners upgrades Notice to Mariners No 02 of 2010, which was issued under BirdLife Malta’s first LIFE-funded seabird project – the EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project – and which, based on more research, introduces additional measures for the ninth site.

An additional Notice to Mariners urges mariners to report sightings of light-induced seabird strikes in their vessels.

The ERA CEO emphasised how the proposed notices will contribute further to ERA’s efforts towards the achievement of good status of the seabird populations in Malta in accordance with the requirements of the EU Birds, the Habitats and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directives; and will support developments as related to the management of Malta’s marine Natura 2000 network.

Since the updates assessments “indicate that the implementation of selected measures in Malta have had a good impact on the seabirds status,” ERA said that it is now continuing its monitoring actions and efforts on seabirds, as part of the EMFF Marine Monitoring Project being implemented by the ERA.

More information on the EMFF Project can be found by clicking here.

The breeding populations of seabirds in Malta are susceptible to noise, light and other disturbances, some of which may be caused by selected activities around nesting locations. This disturbance is known to affect adult and young birds inside the nest, impacting their survival rates and potentially leading to colony abandonment.

Scopolis Shearwater at Ta’ Cenc by Joe-Sultana

Permalink: Measures for the protection of seabirds in Gozo and Malta