There is ongoing liaison between the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Continental Shelf Directorate (CSD) as the regulator of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons on the Continental Shelf. Discussions were initiated specifically on the setting of the required mechanism for consideration of MSFD requirements in offshore licensing and permitting regimes, which discussions focused on the development of a guidance document at EU level outlining best available techniques on hydrocarbon exploration and production. This guidance document was published early 2019 (https://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/energy/pdf/hydrocarbons_guidance_doc.pdf) and exploration and production licences awarded under a Production Sharing Contract, as from 2019, include an obligation that contractors carry out operations in accordance with the aforementioned EU guidance document. The objectives of the measure are thus considered to be achieved in 2019. The need for the guidance document at a National scale or otherwise will be subject to further discussions. In parallel, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ERA and CSD for the transmittal of environmental data from CSD licensed activities to ERA for the scope of MSFD implementation.

Implementation has started by the non-governmental organisation BirdLIfe Malta through outreach activities, including the distribution of educational leaflets, organising clean-ups and erecting signboards - organized under Action C.4. of the LIFE Archipelagu Garnija Project (LIFE14 NAT/MT/000991). Such outreach is held at recreactional areas (some of which are Natura 2000 sites) known to accommodate Yelkouan Shearwater breeding colonies, amongst users of such areas (e.g. picknikers, ramblers, campers, hunters, private and commercial boat-owners). The implementation of the measure will continue in line with the timeframes provided to build on BirdLife Malta's actions and extend the geographical scope of the campaign to cover more sites hosting other seabird species that may be under threat by similar pressures.

This measure targeted the development of a guidance document addressing light pollution and codes of conduct for seafarers. After discussion with relevant stakeholders, the guidance document addressing light pollution is to be issued for public consultation. In 2020 focus will be on development of the codes of good practice/codes of conduct for seafarers relating to different activities and in conjunction with MICMT-M074_NEW, building on the codes of conduct/best practice guides developed by BirdLife Malta as part of the LIFE Archipelagu Garnija Project (LIFE14 NAT/MT/000991). Under the LIFE AG project, BirdLife Malta are also working on proposals for the reduction of disturbance from commercial boat activities at sensitive seabird breeding sites. This work is in progress.

Workshops and interviews aimed at probing interactions between marine reptiles, mammals and seabirds and fish-gear, are to be held as part of a broader scope programme aimed at fostering knowledge exchange between the fisheries sector and environmental sector (See MICMT-M078_NEW).

While discussions on the codes of good practice/codes of conduct for seafarers have been initiated in 2019, work in relation to such codes is planned to gain momentum in 2020 in conjunction with MICMT-M072_NEW, building on the codes of conduct/best practice guides developed by BirdLife Malta as part of the LIFE Archipelagu Garnija Project (LIFE14 NAT/MT/000991).

A tender has been published by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) for "the design, development and coordination of the application and registration process and the delivery of training courses to those operating in the fisheries sector" (CT3231/2018). This tender, which was awarded in 2019, has enabled the implementation of this measure by securing an introductory session of the educational campaign. Through this tender, a training session will be delivered to the fishing community in 2020 in relation to the 'Integration of environmental obligations in the fisheries sector'. This session will cover protected species, by-catch and data collection processes. Following this session, further insights will be gained on the continuation of the educational campaign through feedback from the fishing community. An additional tender for the simultaneous implementation of MICMT-M073_NEW, MICMT-M076_NEW and MICMT-M078_NEW will be drafted accordingly in 2020. In addition to the above, through LIFE BaHAR for N2K project (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845) a video clip on discarded/lost fishing gear was shown to the fishermen during the project's training workshops in 2018.

The implementation of this measure is being sought as part of the EU funded LIFE 16 IPE MT 008 which project started in January 2018 and has an eight-year duration. Financing for this measure is allocated through the project thus securing implementation which is planned for the period 2020-2025. Timeframes for implementation of this measure thus needs to be aligned with the timeframes set by the project. The scope of the action has also been extended to continue the implementation of technically feasible management options, subject to budget restrictions, beyond the pilot projects.

Data and information on fishing activities beyond that already available through the Fisheries data collection process will be sought through workshops/interviews with the fishing community. Workshops and interviews are to be held as part of a broader scope programme aimed at fostering knowledge exchange between the fisheries sector and environmental sector (See MICMT-M078_NEW).

Info-slots on sensitive coastal species and on diving in caves were produced in 2018 through the LIFE BaHAR for N2K project (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845) to raise awareness on good practice in relation to sensitive species and diving activities. The infoslots were disseminated via the project's social media, and the caves infoslot was also shown in a project training workshop for diving centres. Subsequently, meetings were held with divers as a focus group for a better understanding of the best approach to reach the diving community. The focus group indicated that training and awareness material, in particular site signage at important diving locations on relevant or protected marine species and good practices, would be preferred options to a 'code of conduct' as called for by the measure itself. Additional work is ongoing by ERA in association with diving clubs and the University of Malta in relation to selected benthic species, with additional support from the EU-funded Interreg Med AMAre Project, which has also launched a citizen science campaign. Awareness material in terms of other sensitive/important species and good practice (inlcuding online material and signage) have been prepared for further dissemination in 2019-2020.