Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1398274
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 AUGUST 2021 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A conservation and manage- ment plan for Malta's marine Natura 2000 sites foresees the establishment of a "fish revival area", where fishing is restricted with the aim to "address fishing pressures." Although the location of these areas still has to be estab- lished "in consultation with the fisheries sector", the document says that such areas should cover over 50 hectares of sea, the equivalent of more than 70,000 football grounds. Zones where temporary clo- sures and gear restrictions ap- ply will possibly complement the area. According to the plan, a com- mittee composed of represent- atives from relevant competent authorities, experts and the local fishing community will be entrusted with enacting conservation and management measures for Fish Revival Are- as. After such areas are iden- tified, the management plan recommends at least two fish stock assessments in the desig- nated Fish Revival Areas to "as- sess the effectiveness of closure to fishing pressure". A 'Fish Revival Area' is de- fined as an area "where fisher- ies activity is managed for the purpose of restoring fish com- munities as part of wider eco- systems". The proposal was included in the conservation objectives and measures for Marine Protect- ed Areas launched for public consultation by environment minister Aaron Farrugia and Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) CEO Michelle Piccinino. Other conservation measures contemplated in the plan in- clude a scheme aimed at pro- tecting exploited sea urchins from unsustainable fishing practices, possibly through closed seasons. The plan proposes a code of conduct for touristic and rec- reational activities, including diving, boat tours, and boat parties, addressing any form of disturbance on the marine en- vironment. This partly addressed submis- sions made by Birdlife Malta, which specifically referred to party boats as a source of "noise and light pollution especially to sensitive caves and cliff sites." The plan also includes meas- ures aimed at protecting the four Maltese marine habitats listed in the EU's habitats di- rective namely Posidonia beds, sand-banks which are slight- ly covered by sea water all the time, reefs and sea caves. The document does not refer to land reclamation plans by government which my impinge on Posidonia beds found along most of Malta's coastline but calls for the reduction of phys- ical on the marine environ- ment "as a result of anthropo- genic activity." It also calls for more studies on the status of species, which inhabit the sea grass beds, in- cluding the Noble Pen Shell Pinna nobilis and seahorses Hippocampus spp., and their ecological requirements. The Noble Pen Shell is one of the few protected species in Malta whose conservation status is deemed unfavourable due to threats ranging from anchorage infrastructure, to the commercialization of the coastline. Access restrictions for com- mercial activities and recrea- tional diving are also contem- plated for "highly diverse and sensitive caves". In a bid to curtail alien species the plan recommends the com- pilation of a list of edible inva- sive alien species that have the potential to be commercialised and to diversify fishers' catch. It also recommends a work- ing relationship with fishers to monitor and target non-indige- nous species and promote their consumption. Conservation plan foresees 50-hectare fish revival area Zone where fishing is restricted set to stretch over area greater than 70,000 football grounds The plan proposes a code of conduct for touristic and recreational activities, including diving, boat tours, and boat parties, addressing any form of disturbance on the marine environment. This partly addressed submissions made by Birdlife Malta, which specifically referred to party boats as a source of "noise and light pollution especially to sensitive caves and cliff sites."