MS/Art13/2022/D5/Malta/Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea

Member State report / Art13 / 2022 / D5 / Malta / Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea

Report type	Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article	Art. 13 Programme of measures (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due	2022-10-15
GES Descriptor	D5 Eutrophication
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

Simplified table

Marine reporting units	MIC-MT-MS-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-TeW-01	MIC-MT-MS-01 MIC-MT-TeW-01
RegionSubregion	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea	MED Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea
Measure code	MICMT-M040	MICMT-M018	MICMT-M039	MICMT-M041	MICMT-M042	MICMT-M043	MICMT-M044	MICMT-M045	MICMT-M046	MICMT-M001
Measure old code	MICMT-M040	MICMT-M018	MICMT-M039	MICMT-M041	MICMT-M042	MICMT-M043	MICMT-M044	MICMT-M045	MICMT-M046	MICMT-M001
Measure name	Compliance Strategy	Improve operational standards for the aquaculture sector via the environmental permitting process	Upgrading of urban wastewater treatment plants	Management of pressures from boating activity in coastal waters	Develop a strategic policy framework to encourage integrated valley management	Operation of three Urban Waste Water Treatment plants and further improvements thereto	Review of Malta's Nitrates Action Programme	Regulation of discharge of sewage from ships	Standards for recreational craft	Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations & Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations
Measure description
Update type	Measure modified since 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM	Measure modified since 2015 PoM	Measure modified since 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM	Measure modified since 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM	Measure same as in 2015 PoM
Measure category	Category 1.b (non-WFD)	Category 1.a	Category 1.b (WFD)	Category 1.b (WFD)	Category 1.b (WFD)	Category 1.a	Category 1.a	Category 1.a	Category 1.a	Category 1.a
Policy conventions
Policy national
Responsible competent authority
Responsible organisation
Coordination level
Regional cooperation countries
CEA
CEA reference
CBA
CBA reference
Financing
Spatial scope	Terrestrial part of MS	Territorial waters	Terrestrial part of MS	Coastal waters (WFD)	Terrestrial part of MS	Terrestrial part of MS	Terrestrial part of MS	Territorial waters	Territorial waters	EEZ (or similar)
Measure purpose	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Directly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by managing the source activity);Directly reduce existing levels of the pressure in the marine environment (e.g. removal of litter or oil spill clean-up)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Directly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by managing the source activity)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Directly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by managing the source activity)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)	Indirectly prevent further inputs of a pressure (e.g. by governance mechanisms, financial incentives, awareness campaigns)
Pressures	Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition Input of organic matter - diffuse sources and point sources Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events	Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition Input of organic matter - diffuse sources and point sources	Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition Input of organic matter - diffuse sources and point sources	Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition Input of organic matter - diffuse sources and point sources	Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous) Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter) Input of nutrients - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition Input of organic matter - diffuse sources and point sources Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) - diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events Input of water - point sources (e.g. brine)
Relevant KTMs	Measures to reduce nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources	MSFD27 Measures to reduce contamination by hazardous substances (synthetic substances Measures to reduce nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources	Construction or upgrades of wastewater treatment plants Upgrades or improvements of industrial wastewater treatment plants (including farms)	Measures to reduce nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources	Reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture	Construction or upgrades of wastewater treatment plants	Reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture	Measures to reduce nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources	Measures to reduce nutrient and organic matter inputs to the marine environment from sea-based or air-based sources	MSFD27 Measures for the phasing-out of emissions Measures to reduce interferences with hydrological processes in the marine environment (beyond WFD Coastal waters) Measures to reduce physical loss of seabed habitats in the marine environment (beyond WFD coastal waters)
Relevant targets	MT_Target_2019_D5C1 MT_Target_2019_D8C1a	No specific target adressed	MT_Target_2019_D1C6_D5C1 MT_Target_2019_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D6C5a	MT_Target_2019_D1C6_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D1C6_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D1C6_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D1C6_D5C1	MT_Target_2019_D10C1_C2a MT_Target_2019_D1C2_C3_C4 MT_Target_2019_D5C1 MT_Target_2019_D8C1a
Related indicator	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key harmful contaminants measured in the relevant matrix Concentration of key nutrients in water column Condition of the habitat’s typical species and communities Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Concentration of key nutrients in water column Chlorophyll-a concentration in water column	Proportion of days and geographical distribution where loud, low and mid-frequency impulsive sounds exceed levels that are likely to entail significant impact on marine animals Concentration of key harmful contaminants measured in the relevant matrix Trends in the amount of litter in the water column including microplastics and on the seafloor Trends in the amount of litter washed ashore and/or deposited on coastlines (including analysis of its composition, spatial distribution and, where possible, source) Condition of the habitat’s typical species and communities Population demographic characteristics - Seabirds Species distributional range Species population abundance Location and extent of the habitats impacted directly by hydrographic alterations
GEScomponent	D5	D4 D5 D6 D7 D8	D5	D1-P D5	D1-P D5	D5	D5	D5	D1-P D5	D1-B D1-F D1-M D1-P D1-R D10 D11 D5 D6 D7 D8
Feature	Pelagic broad habitats	Benthic broad habitats CharaPhyHydro Contaminants - UPBT substances Contaminants - non UPBT substances Eutrophication Other benthic habitats Pelagic broad habitats	Pelagic broad habitats	Benthic broad habitats Other benthic habitats Pelagic broad habitats	Benthic broad habitats Other benthic habitats Pelagic broad habitats	Pelagic broad habitats	Pelagic broad habitats	Pelagic broad habitats	Pelagic broad habitats	Benthic broad habitats CharaPhyHydro Contaminants - UPBT substances Contaminants - non UPBT substances Demersal shelf fish Hydrographical changes Impulsive sound in water Litter in the environment Other benthic habitats Pelagic broad habitats Pelagic-feeding birds Small toothed cetaceans Surface-feeding birds Turtles
Element
Temporal scope	2025-9999	9999	9999	2018-9999	2018-2020	9999	9999	9999	9999	9999
Implementation status	Implementation not started	Measure ongoing	Measure ongoing	Implementation started	Measure implemented	Measure withdrawn	Measure ongoing	Measure ongoing	Measure ongoing	Measure ongoing
Implementation delay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Implementation reason	Other	No obstacles to implementation	No obstacles to implementation	Other			No obstacles to implementation	No obstacles to implementation	No obstacles to implementation	No obstacles to implementation
Progress description	Measure name previously reported as ""Carry out joint inspections with Transport Malta, the Civil Protection Directorate, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority and the Water Services Corporation to ensure that industrial operations abide to best environmental practice"". For the purpose of this update, this measure will be renamed as “Compliance Strategy” to ensure alignment with Malta’s Natura 2000 management processes.	Mitigation measures in relation to aquaculture are continuously being updated as part of the environmental permitting process.	Measure name previously reported as ""Creation and Implementation of the Agriculture Waste Management Plan"". In order to ensure the applicability of this measure to marine waters, it is being replaced by a broader measure which encompasses a holistic approach to the treatment of urban wastewater within the framework of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. For the purpose of this update, measure renamed as “Upgrading of urban wastewater treatment plants” also to ensure alignment with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultastion process. Measure MICMT-M043 is being merged into this measure and withdrawn as a seperate measure.	This measure is replaced by a measure seeking a more holistic approach towards management of pressures related to boating activity as part of Malta's third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation process. Measure name previously reported as ""Streamline designated Bathing waters as defined by the Environmental Health Directorate with designated Swimming Zones as regulated by Transport Malta where these two areas overlap or are in close proximity to each other"". For the purpose of this update, this measure will be replaced by a broader measure entitled “Management of pressures from boating activity in coastal waters”also to ensure alignment with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation process	Measure is implemented through LIFE16IPE/MT000008	For the purpose of this update, measure renamed as “Upgrading of urban wastewater treatment plants” also to ensure alignment with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultastion process.	For the purpose of this update, measure renamed as “Review of Malta's Nitrates Action Programme” to ensure alignment with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultastion process. .	A Local Notice to Mariners 095 of 2021 has been issued, highlighting that the disposal of sewage in bays, yachting centres and Ports is prohibited.		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.
Reason description	This measure is being sought through other management processes, including the management framework for marine Natura 2000 sites , which calls for a compliance strategy in coordination with the relevant competent entities (CM_NM3).					This measure can be considered to be part of the broader measure M039 as modified for this update: ""Upgrading of urban wastewater treatment plants"". In this regard, it is being merged with measure M039 and withdrawn as a separate measure.