Member State report / Art14 / 2022 / D2 / Malta / Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 14 Exceptions (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2022-10-15
GES Descriptor D2 Non-indigenous species
Member State Malta
Region/subregion Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea
Reported by Environment and Resources Authority
Report date 2024-02-07
Report access 363

Marine reporting units
  • MIC-MT-TeW-01
Region subregion
MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea
Exception code
MICMT-E01
Exception old code
Exception name
Introduction of invasive alien species by secondary dispersal following entry through the Suez Canal
Exception type
Art. 14(1)(a)
Exception reason
Action (e.g. environmental damage) caused by a third party for which the Member State is not responsible
GES achieved
Relevant pressures
  • Established non-indigenous species
  • Input or spread of non-indigenous species
  • Newly-introduced non-indigenous species
Relevant targets
GES component
  • D2
  • D2C1 Newly-introduced NIS
  • D2C2 Established NIS (2.1, 2.1.1)
  • D2C3 Adverse effects of NIS (2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.2)
Relevant features
  • Benthic broad habitats
  • Other benthic habitats
  • Pelagic broad habitats
Justification description
Malta is not responsible for the management of the marine areas at the entry point of non-indigenous species from the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean region and therefore cannot implement measures to control the secondary dispersal of such species introduced through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, which may comprise the achievement of GES in Maltese waters.
Spatial scope geographic zones
Territorial waters
Mitigation
Measures ad hoc
Further information
Section 3.3 https://era.org.mt/topic/msfd-programme-of-measures/