Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524591
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JULY 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Warmer seas Sea surface temperatures around Malta and Gozo have reached up to 30°C in some areas in what is a significant marine heatwave IF the sea feels warmer than usual, it's not your body ther- mostat that's gone awry but sea surface temperatures that have risen above average. The sea around Malta and Gozo experienced a significant marine heatwave with surface temperatures reaching up to 30°C in some areas. According to marine re- searcher Adam Gauci from the Oceanography Marine Re- search Group of the University of Malta, the average tempera- ture in the first 10m around the Maltese islands ranged between 28°C and 29°C. This is approxi- mately 2°C above the usual av- erage between 15 July and 21 July. These temperatures typically occur later in the year, indicat- ing a shift in seasonal patterns. But this marine heatwave is not isolated to Malta; it has af- fected the entire central Medi- terranean region as evidenced by satellite data and measure- ments from a buoy installed near Malta's coast. A marine heatwave is defined as a period during which the sea temperature is abnormal- ly warm for the time of the year relative to historical tem- peratures, with that extreme warmth persisting for at least five consecutive days. The implications of this ma- rine heatwave are severe. Gauci emphasised that warmer waters can significantly alter marine habitats, leading to potential bi- odiversity loss as marine species leave the warm waters and relo- cate to cooler waters. "The rise in temperatures also increases the risk of harmful al- gal blooms, which can be toxic to marine life and, eventually, humans," he said. These algal blooms were visi- ble over the past couple of weeks in several bays around Malta with the sea turning green. Gauci is involved in the Med- SeaRise project, which studies Images showing the difference in average sea surface temperatures in the central Mediterranean during the first (left) and second weeks of July. A five-year plan is set to introduce more arti- ficial reefs in Malta around five different geo- graphical locations. The artificial reefs will be located inside the islands' specially-managed marine protected areas (MPAs). Artificial reefs, which are submerged struc- tures onto the seabed such as shipwrecks, are necessary to emulate some functions of a natu- ral reef to protect, regenerate, and enhance the populations of living marine resources. Apart from enhancing marine biodiversity, the reefs create new snorkelling attractions that relieve tourism pressure on natural reefs. Ambjent Malta, which manages terrestrial Natura 2000 sites, will develop management plans for Malta's MPAs, with artificial reefs part of the various habitat enhancement meas- ures. The five candidate sites for MPAs have yet to be evaluated by experts and stakeholder en- gagement. To date, only one reef structure has been deployed in the Maltese islands, at St Julian's in 2004. In 2008, the University of Malta pub- lished a scientific report indicating sufficient scientific evidence that there has been an in- crease in species diversity on the reef and the surrounding areas including a set of recom- mendations for a more stable structure once the artificial reef is deployed. But Ambjent Malta is also developing a long- term action plan on scientific studies for the deployment of artificial reefs over the next 10 years, in consultation with other key players and stakeholders. Malta's marine Natura 2000 network encom- passes 18 sites over 4,100 square kilometres – around 35% of the fisheries management zone – and was set up to conserve important habi- tats and species. It includes SACs (special areas of conserva- tion), where marine habitats are protected, and SPAs (special protected areas) designated for the protection of seabirds. Malta is now at the stage where it must estab- lish the management measures for the MPAs. Until then these areas are governed by national protection rules, where developments or activ- ities in these areas are screened and assessed to mitigate negative impacts. Other sectors, such as fisheries and maritime transport, are regulated under respective laws. Experts to determine sites for more artificial reefs in Maltese waters