While not directly targeting the commercial stock, the Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 sites include measures, in relation to the ‘reef’ habitat type, to enhance and facilitate the reporting scheme(s) for abandoned, lost, discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). GFCM recommendations/ resolutions adopted following the first cycle PoMs also apply: • Resolution GFCM/44/2021/14 on abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear. • Recommendation GFCM/43/2019/1 on a set of management measures for the use of anchored fish aggregating devices in common dolphinfish fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea Another Union legislation applicable to this measure is Regulation (EC) 1224/2009.

Measure is being sought through LIFE16IPE/MT000008

Measure is being sought through LIFE16IPE/MT000008

This measure will continue to be taken forward also through Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is undergoing public consultation. Should the RBMP be adopted it will seek to strengthen the objectives and measures adopted through the different policy processes by engaging in targeted promotional processes across all relevant sectors, while identifying and putting forward relevant initiatives to facilitate uptake of existing regulations aimed at reducing marine litter.

Implementation of this measure focused on the detection of litter on the seabed within coastal areas and removal of such through collaboration with a non-governmental organisation. The measure is considered to be ongoing and will continue to be sought as part of the updated Programme of Measures, whereby application to the wider marine areas will be explored. Furthermore, a more systematic implementation of the measure will be sought in synergy with conservation measures for reef habitats within marine Natura 2000 sites : “Continue and step-up efforts for removal of Abandoned Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear from reef areas”. This measure will also address measure M067 which was part of Malta’s second Water Catchment Management Plan pursuant to the EU Water Framework Directive (Develop a system to encourage adequate litter management and control in coastal areas).

While this measure was implemented as part of the MSFD first implementation cycle, an alternative material to nylon that can be effectively used in Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) has not as yet been defined. Nevertheless, the presence of discarded fishing gear, particularly nylon, in marine waters is an environmental issue which needs to be addressed. It is also within this context that the management processes for marine Natura 2000 sites call for the need to further explore alternative designs for FADs in collaboration with fishers, including an assessment of economic viability. In this regard, this measure will continue to be sought as part of the updated MSFD Programme of Measures in synergy with the implementation of the Natura 2000 management processes. Implementation of this measure will also be sought in conjunction with MICMTM073_NEW, MICMTM076_NEW and MICMTM078_NEW, whereby priority will be given to the involvement of fishers in management processes.

The updated Programme of Measures will be considering the continuation of the ‘fishing for litter’ scheme in accordance with the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean in the Framework of Article 15 of the Land Based Sources Protocol. Article 10 of this regional plan calls on Contracting Parties to “Apply Fishing for Litter in an environmentally sound manner, based on agreed guidelines and best practice, in consultation with the competent international and regional organizations and in partnership with fishermen and ensure adequate collection, sorting, recycling and/or environmentally sound disposal of the fished litter”. Continuation of such measure will however be evaluated on the basis of the outcome of the implementation of the measure in the first cycle of implementation, and the contribution of such to removal of marine litter.

The Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 sites include a conservation measure in relation to the reef habitat type that explores alternative designs for Fish Aggregating Devices in collaboration with fishers including an assessment of economic viability and exploring related incentives. This is also aligned with the new measures reported through the first cycle PoMs (MICMT-M083_NEW).

Measure previously reported as ""Continue to strengthen the relationship between environmental and planning regulatory processes (including Marine Strategy Framework Directive concerns)"". For the purpose of this update, this measure will be renamed as “Environmental Permitting System” to ensure alignment with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation. Such measure is wider in scope and will include all necessary action related to the environmental permitting process. Measures MICMT-M047 and MICMT-M048 are being merged into this measure and withdrawn as seperate measures.

Since the first cycle PoMs, a number of Port notices have been issued including: • Port Notice No 16 of 2020 – Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Regulations • Port-Notice No 04 of 2017: Compliance with the Dangerous Cargo Ships, Marine Terminals and Facilities and Bunkering Regulations (S.L.499.12) – Use of oil containment booms during petroleum loading, unloading and transfer operations • Port Notice No 06 of 2015: Compliance with Part III of the Dangerous Cargo Ships, Marine Terminals and Facilities and Bunkering Regulations (S.L. 499.12) Union legislation applicable to this measure is Ship-source pollution Directive 2005/35/EC.

As per Port Notice No 2 of 2022, the Authority for Transport in Malta notifies all concerned parties that Directive (EU) 2019/883 on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships has been applicable since 28th June 2021. The requirements of this Directive have been transposed through the Port Reception Facilities for the Delivery of Waste from Ships Regulations (S.L.499.71), also coming into force on the same date. The latter Regulations are currently being implemented and the Authority is continuously ensuring that local regulations are implemented in accordance with the Directive.

This measure will continue to be sought as part of the wider MSFD framework and associated measures, to ensure a synergistic approach towards reduction and removal of marine litter.

A Waste Management Plan for the Maltese Islands 2021-2030 was developed in 2020, as mandated under the EU Waste Framework Directive and as transposed in local legislation. The strategic objectives of the Waste Management Plan are to: • Maximise the resource value in waste through different management options • Innovate by designing waste prevention initiatives to lower Malta’s per capita generation rate • Reform the collection system to increase economies of scale, harmonise collection practices and modernise the collection fleet • Build the necessary waste management facilities to treat recyclable, organic and residual waste to achieve Malta’s targets • Study the feasibility of an enhanced producer responsibility framework to complement Malta’s transition to a circular economy and reflect further on the true cost of waste management • Promote further the involvement of the private sector in waste management The Single-Use Plastic Strategy as adopted by Malta in September 2021 puts forward several measures aiming at the reduction of the introduction of litter into coastal waters, including inter alia measures related to: • the design and production phase, to avoid leakage of plastic in the environment and increase in the use of alternative materials; • the use and consumption phase with appropriate labelling, the introduction of economic instruments and better regulations and monitoring, to restrict the availability of certain single-use plastic products and promote the use of alternatives; • the waste management phase to improve the collection and recycling of plastic waste. In addition, the Single-Use Plastic Framework Regulation (S.L. 549.149) stipulates legal requirements for the uptake of consumption reduction measures by catering establishments including: • provision of an adequate number of reusable alternatives to SUP food containers and cups for beverages at the point of sale; • provision of adequate incentives to consumers who bring their own reusable alternatives to SUP food containers and cups; • adoption of incentives to use re-usable food containers and cups for beverages, filled at the point of sale, with the aim to reduce the use of SUPs; and • restrictions on the provision of SUP food containers and cups for beverages at the point of sale.

This measure was implemented through the setting up of two citizen science delivery services : • Marine and Beach Clean-ups - which is being used to collect data on type and amount of litter collected through clean-ups; • Marine and Beach Litter Sightings - which is used to collect data from the general public on litter accumulations. While the measure as revised in 2020 as part of the interim progress report, is considered to be implemented, the delivery services will continue to be used to enable coordination of clean-ups in priority areas.

As part of the first implementation cycle, the annual ""Be Safe at Sea"" Campaign was used to disseminate information and best practices amongst boaters, targeting reduction of the introduction of litter into the marine environment. In view of its regular frequency and the relevance of the target audience, this campaign is considered an effective tool for raising awareness on marine litter and promoting best practices. In this regard, the use of the campaign will continue to be sought as part of the updated Programme of Measures. More focus will also be placed on the adaptation of the Nautical License courses in promoting best practices in relation to marine litter, and potentially other environmental issues.

The national EIA Regulations were amended in 2020. These amendments allow to consolidate certain aspects of the transposition of the EIA Directive into the EIA process. Other Union legislation which applies to this is SEA Directive 2001/42/EC.