left to right: Dr Moncada, Prof. Borg, Pro-Rector Prof. J. Cacciottolo, IOI Director Ms A. Vassallo, Ms T. Ellul, Prof. P. Schembri, Dr J. Evans, Prof. L. Cassar
Presentation of the results of the Bursary awarded in 2016
The 2017 EMB Bursary is being awarded to Ms Therese Ellul, a postgraduate research student at the Department of Biology of the University of Malta, to further her research entitled "The ecology of potentially invasive alien macroalgae in Maltese waters”. This research seeks to record and monitor invasive alien seaweeds introduced in Maltese waters and to study their impacts on native marine biota and their habitats. Particular attention is being paid to recently introduced green algae of the genus Caulerpa (see link) which are becoming invasive and which may be having an impact on some marine ecosystems of high biological and socio-economic importance, including meadows of the Neptune Grass Posidonia oceanica. As an additional benefit to the University of Malta, any equipment purchased specifically with EMB Bursary funds to complete the research, shall be donated to the University, for the use and benefit of other research projects and researchers and arrangements are being through the Head of the Department of Biology.
The 2016 EMB Bursary awarded to Dr Stefano Moncada to carry out research titled “Climate Coping Strategies, Economic Wellbeing and Sustainability in Vulnerable Coastal Communities” has also come to its conclusion this October with the successful achievement of the research aims for the EMB Bursary award. The main scope of the research was to identify the coping strategies adopted in reaction to climate variability and change, and to discuss their implications for economic wellbeing and for long-term sustainability.
The award ceremony for this year’s Bursary was held on 18 October at the offices of the IOI Headquarters on Campus. Present at the Ceremony were Pro-Rector Professor Joseph Cacciattolo, Professor Louis Cassar, Professor Joseph Borg, Professor Patrick J Schembri, Dr Julian Evans, Ms Antonella Vassallo (IOI Managing Director), Ms Therese Ellul, current EMB Bursary award winner, and Dr Stefano Moncada.
For further information about the IOI and its programmes please contact ioihq@ioihq.org.mt or view the IOI HQ website.
Elisabeth Mann Borgese (April 24, 1918 - February 8, 2002), founded the IOI in 1972 as a knowledge-based non-governmental, non-profit international organization devoted to the sustainable development of the oceans. IOI works to uphold and expand the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the benefit of humankind as a whole, with particular consideration of the poor. The mission of the International Ocean Institute is to promote education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.
Malta is the host country of the International Ocean Institute Headquarters. As an island state straddling the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, it has a long history of dependence on the sea as well as a strong tradition of maritime, fishing and seafaring occupation. Its membership of the European Union confers on it an obligation to adhere to the European maritime and fishing policies as well as conventions and regulations which are global in scope.
