Water monitoring project to lead to sustainable use of marine resources

The Marine and Environmental Monitoring project will initiate the implementation of sustained environmental monitoring in marine waters • The project will cost €4 million and last two years

Environment Minister Jose Herrera (right) with Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia
Environment Minister Jose Herrera (right) with Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia

A two-year project launched by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) will contribute to the effective management and sustainable use of marine resources, Environment Minister Jose Herrera said on Monday.

The Marine and Environmental Monitoring project will initiate the implementation of sustained environmental monitoring in marine waters with the aim of assessing the state of Malta’s waters on a continuous basis and address current knowledge gaps.

It will cost €4 million, of which €1.6m will be funded by the European Union through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Herrera said that ERA would also continue working towards achieving a good environmental status in marine waters, which are facing increasing pressures from human activity.

“This activity leads to the deterioration of the marine environment,” he said. “Concrete data and information from the project will be used to develop better management practices to address these pressures, while also helping in the implementation of Malta’s obligations in the marine sector.”

Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Aaron Farrugia said that the EU had to be centred around projects, since these united people. He said that the government was committed to utilising and absorbing all the funds available in the fisheries and aquaculture maritime sector.

ERA official and project leader Miraine Rizzo said the authority was looking forward to implementing the EU-funded project since it would shed light on knowledge gaps which were currently limiting Malta’s capacity to effectively manage the marine environment.