The Fisheries Management Plans are subject to a revision process. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture organised a series of consultation sessions with fishermen to gather feedback on the fisheries sector apart from the ongoing scientific efforts to revise the existing management plans referred to in this measure. The Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 sites include national objectives and measures contributing to Marine Protected Area management. One such measure seeks an agreement, in consultation with the fisheries sector and fishers on a ‘Fish Revival Area’ which site will be subject to temporal and spatial closure of fishing activity in agreement with fishers for a specified period of time. This area will also contribute to address potential pressures from fisheries activity on seabed habitats.

The Fisheries Management Plans are subject to a revision process. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture organised a series of consultation sessions with fishermen to gather feedback on the fisheries sector apart from the ongoing scientific efforts to revise the existing management plans referred to in this measure. The Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 sites include national objectives and measures contributing to Marine Protected Area management. One such measure seeks an agreement, in consultation with the fisheries sector and fishers on a ‘Fish Revival Area’ which site will be subject to temporal and spatial closure of fishing activity in agreement with fishers for a specified period of time. This area will also contribute to address potential pressures from fisheries activity on seabed habitats.

In line with Pilot Study 1 of Malta’s Work Plan for data collection in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors 2019, the Performance of the Recreational Fisheries Surveys towards the Data Collection Multi-Annual Programme was assessed. The inferred results from this pilot were presented to the RCG Med&BS and the EU Commission. Malta was also a project partner in the STREAMLINE project, in which a regional work plan on the collection of recreational fisheries data has been drafted. In addition, recommendation GFCM/45/2022/12, establishing a set of minimum rules for sustainable recreational fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea was adopted. This recommendation establishes minimum rules to ensure an effective management, control and monitoring of recreational fishing activities in the Mediterranean Sea. Another Union legislation applicable this measure is Regulation (EC) 1967/2006.

Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/16 on additional mitigation measures for the conservation of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea was adopted following the first cycle PoM. Under this recommendation, the Cooperating non-contracting Parties (CPCs) should enhance the collection and monitoring of data and the reporting of information on the incidental catch of elasmobranchs in line with the provisions of Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/2, with the FAO technical manual on Monitoring the incidental catch of vulnerable species in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries: methodology for data collection and with Task 3 of the Data Collection Reference Framework (DCRF). Other Union legislation applicable this measure is Regulation (EC) 1967/2006, Regulation (EU) 2015/2102, Council Regulation 1185/2003,Council Regulation 520/2007 and Regulation (EU) 605/2013.

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.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture completed an EU funded programme under Union Priority 1. EMFF1.4.1 (Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource, efficient innovative, competitive and knowledge-based fisheries) which commenced in Q1 2018 and was completed by Q1 2021. A key component of effective management of pressures from fisheries activity on the marine environment is the active involvement of fishers in management processes. Such approach was adopted by three measures in the first Programme of Measures (MICMTM073_NEW, MICMTM076_NEW and MICMTM078_NEW) which sought improvement of knowledge on the interactions of fisheries with the marine environment in order to enable management of relevant pressures from fishing activity on species groups and benthic habitats. The implementation of these measures as undertaken to date has shown that there is scope for improvement in the involvement of fishers in environmental management processes. There is also the need to harmonise the implementation of the MSFD measures with the conservation measures for marine Natura 2000 sites as adopted in January 2023 (https://era.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MPAs-Conservation-Objectives-and-Measures_final_Feb2023.pdf). The management processes for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) also recognise the need to involve fishers when addressing by-catch for seabirds, marine reptiles and marine mammals. In addition, the Marine Protected Area conservation measures seek the establishment of a committee including representatives of the local fishing community to identify an area where temporal and spatial management of fishing activity will be explored in agreement with fishers. Within this context, while MSFD measures MICMTM073_NEW (by-catch), MICMTM076_NEW (seabed habitats) and MICMTM078_NEW (commercially exploited species) are still deemed applicable and their implementation will be continued, different approaches will be explored to empower fishers and provide greater opportunities for knowledge sharing and direct involvement of fishers in management processes. The implementation of these measures will be sought in parallel with the primary aim of improving participation and involvement by fishers. Management processes will then be followed-up in synergy with the MPA conservation measures on the basis of the fishers’ engagement. Union legislation applicable to this measure is amending Regulations (EC) 1967/2006 and Council Regulation 520/2007.

Measure name previously reported as ""Marine Protected Areas and the EU funded project LIFE BaHAR for N2K (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845)"". The designation of Marine Protected Areas was further strengthened as per Government Notice 682 of 2018 . Conservation measures and objectives for all of Malta’s Natura 2000 MPAs were published in January 2023 . Measure renamed as “Marine Protected Areas” as part of this update. However, this could also be linked to M013 (Designation of Marine SACs) which has been included in relation to species groups.

The scope of this measure was to ensure a consistent approach towards consideration of MSFD requirements and implementation of MSFD processes through existing licensing regimes in offshore waters. This was planned to be achieved through the development of a guidance document agreed by the involved entities, including the Continental Shelf Directorate as the licensing body and the Environment and Resources Authority as the environmental entity. For the purpose of the updated Programme of Measures, Malta can confirm that consideration of MSFD requirements in regulated offshore activity is ensured through the licencing procedure as outlined hereunder. With respect to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation the licensing procedure includes an obligation for operators to abide with ‘Best Available Techniques Guidance Document on upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production’ which addresses a wide range of potential pressures on the marine environment including emissions/discharges, noise and litter. It also outlines the required assessment processes in relation to biodiversity. The adoption of this harmonised approach in consideration of environmental issues for hydrocarbon exploration and production in offshore waters, replaced the need for a guidance document at a national scale. The objective of the measure as reported in 2017 is still being achieved through the ongoing licensing process. This, coupled to the very low frequency of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activity in Maltese offshore waters , indicates that the current regulation of such activity of offshore waters is geared towards maintenance or achievement of GES in relation to the relevant species groups and habitats that could be affected by such activity, and in relation to the pressures associated with such (contaminants, underwater noise and marine litter). Other regulated activity in offshore waters involves primarily the laying of cables and pipelines and marine scientific research. These activities are still regulated through the licensing procedures which include environmental considerations. However, the potential environmental impacts and pressures associated with such activity are not considered to have a significant bearing on GES. Noise data is required in accordance with the MSFD monitoring procedures, but further action targeting such offshore activity is not deemed necessary.

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.

Mitigation measures in relation to aquaculture are continuously being updated as part of the environmental permitting process.

The Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 sites address pressures from anchoring activity by exploring feasible management options and implementation of such options on a pilot basis for the purpose of the conservation of Posidonia oceanica meadows. The Programme of Measures being put forward as part of Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan published for public consultation has also been aligned with the MPA management process and MSFD Programme of Measures to address physical disturbance from anchoring activity.

The revised Programme of Measures will seek the continuation of this measure in accordance with the action being implemented under LIFE16 IPE/MT/000008. This EU-funded action has achieved a spatio-temporal analysis of anchoring/mooring activity; assessment of impacts from anchoring activity through localised surveys; and the identification of management options, the most feasible of which are being subject to socio-economic assessments. The action will also be seeking the implementation of management options on a pilot basis, monitoring of effectiveness and the development of a long-term implementation plan of proven management options. The measure is thus considered to be ongoing.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture organised training sessions with fishermen in line with EMFF1.4.1 Training for Fishers Project. A key component of effective management of pressures from fisheries activity on the marine environment is the active involvement of fishers in management processes. Such approach was adopted by three measures in the first Programme of Measures (MICMTM073_NEW, MICMTM076_NEW and MICMTM078_NEW) which sought improvement of knowledge on the interactions of fisheries with the marine environment in order to enable management of relevant pressures from fishing activity on species groups and benthic habitats. The implementation of these measures as undertaken to date has shown that there is scope for improvement in the involvement of fishers in environmental management processes. There is also the need to harmonise the implementation of the MSFD measures with the conservation measures for marine Natura 2000 sites as adopted in January 2023 (https://era.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MPAs-Conservation-Objectives-and-Measures_final_Feb2023.pdf). The management processes for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) also recognise the need to involve fishers when addressing by-catch for seabirds, marine reptiles and marine mammals. In addition, the Marine Protected Area conservation measures seek the establishment of a committee including representatives of the local fishing community to identify an area where temporal and spatial management of fishing activity will be explored in agreement with fishers. Within this context, while MSFD measures MICMTM073_NEW (by-catch), MICMTM076_NEW (seabed habitats) and MICMTM078_NEW (commercially exploited species) are still deemed applicable and their implementation will be continued, different approaches will be explored to empower fishers and provide greater opportunities for knowledge sharing and direct involvement of fishers in management processes. The implementation of these measures will be sought in parallel with the primary aim of improving participation and involvement by fishers. Management processes will then be followed-up in synergy with the MPA conservation measures on the basis of the fishers’ engagement. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture completed an EU funded programme under Union Priority 1. EMFF1.4.1 (Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource, efficient innovative, competitive and knowledge-based fisheries) which commenced in Q1 2018 and was completed by Q1 2021.

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 info-slots were disseminated via the project's social media. Awareness raising and provision of guidance targeting reduction of disturbance on marine species from anthropogenic activity are considered ongoing needs that have been/are being addressed under relevant environmental policy processes. Beyond the implementation of the MSFD Programme of Measures (PoMs), awareness raising and guidance are sought through the conservation measures for marine Natura 2000 sites . Such measures envisage the establishment of Codes of Conduct and associated regulation of selected activities to reduce disturbance on seabirds and marine mammals from boating activity and commercial vessels within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). With respect to seabirds, the conservation measures also address land-based sources of light pollution. The MPA management process also includes measures supporting the achievement of favourable conservation status of the habitats and species through implementation at a national scale. One such measure is the development and implementation of a national awareness raising strategy, which can be considered as an overarching measure encompassing all awareness-related measures across policy processes. The updated PoMs acknowledges the need to continue the implementation of the MSFD measures involving awareness/educational campaigns and/or the development of guidance documents/codes of conduct in synergy with management processes under other policy processes, in particular the management regime for MPAs. Such approach will ensure harmonisation and effectiveness of awareness raising efforts at a national scale for the purpose of marine biodiversity that is sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. Within this context, measures M071, M072, M074 & M077 are ongoing and will continue to be implemented through this proposed harmonised approach. For this purpose, awareness raising and best practice guidance will continue to be sought in parallel through elaboration and/or updating of Codes of Conduct and implementation of awareness raising campaigns with the aim of addressing sources of anthropogenic disturbance on seabirds, marine reptiles, marine mammals and other marine species.

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.

Other international policy applicable to this measure is Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations.