Biological criteria for the selection of marine protected areas in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

One of the most effective and widely used strategies by which the marine environment may be conserved is the establishment of a national system of marine protected areas (MPAs). Proposed sites to be designated as MP As cannot be adequately evaluated unless a set of biological criteria and standard biotope representative sites are first made available to the authorities concerned. To date, there have been no detailed scientific descriptions of the major marine biotopes occurring around the Maltese Islands. The primary objective of this study was to identify and describe the major marine underwater habitats occurring around the Maltese Islands. Following a preliminary survey of a number of sites around mainland Malta, seven major biotopes were selected for detailed surveying using SCUBA diving techniques. The major geophysical, topographic and biotic features that characterize each biotope were described. Biotic features recorded included the major algal and other sessile species present in each biotope, together with their approximate distribution (zonation) and relative abundance. In the case of sea-grass biotopes, morphometric parameters of the meadows were also determined. The data and observations collected during the field study were used to formulate a final biotope classification of the major biotopes occurring around the Maltese Islands. A set of procedures for applying biological criteria as part of the selection process for designating a marine protected area was also developed. Finally, a set of recommendations for follow-up work has also been included.