For the purpose of this update, this group of measures will be merged under MICMT-M079_NEW which measure will be aligned with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation.

For the purpose of this update, this group of measures will be merged under MICMT-M079_NEW which measure will be aligned with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation.

Measure is being sought through LIFE16IPE/MT000008

Measure is being sought through LIFE16IPE/MT000008

For the purpose of this update, this group of measures will be merged under MICMT-M079_NEW which measure will be aligned with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation.

For the purpose of this update, this group of measures will be merged under MICMT-M079_NEW which measure will be aligned with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to public consultation.

A Union legislation applicable to this measure is Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU.

Union legislation applicable to this measure are Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and Regulation (EU) 528/2012.

Malta’s National Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Pesticides is currently undergoing a revision process.

As indicated in Malta’s interim reporting on the MSFD Programme of Measures, improvement in knowledge on potential local sources of contaminants is being primarily achieved through LIFE16 IPE/MT/000008 whereby data collection processes are being implemented to (i) characterise the quality of wastewater as a primary route through which contaminants reach marine waters noting that urban waste water treatment plants discharge into coastal waters; (ii) attain a better understanding of contaminants which reach waters through diffuse sources of pollution; and (iii) determine the relevance of contaminants of emerging concern for Malta’s water environment. Such data collection processes, coupled to the outcome of monitoring under WFD and MSFD processes, will be providing a holistic overview of the contaminants which are relevant, and which are posing the highest risks, to Malta’s waters. The original measure under MSFD PoMs sought the mapping and analysis of data collected through various processes with respect to selected contaminants, with a view to identify any deficiencies in existing data collection mechanisms and support a coordinated approach across entities. However, the scope of the measure will be modified/widened to cover other contaminants, and its focus will be re-directed to the assessment of risks of contamination of Maltese waters on the basis of the data collected through monitoring processes and LIFE16IPE/MT000008. Such risk assessment will provide a tool for the prioritisation of management/regulatory regimes targeting the most important sources of contamination of Malta’s marine waters. This measure is aligned with Malta’s third River Basin Management Plan, which at the time of reporting is subject to a public consultation process.

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.

This measure is ongoing and is being handled as part of wider processes related to the National Marine Pollution and Contingency Plan. The updating of sensitivity maps is being undertaken in conjunction with the development of a national policy on the use of oil dispersants.

This measure is ongoing and is being handled as part of wider processes related to the National Marine Pollution and Contingency Plan. The updating of sensitivity maps is being undertaken in conjunction with the development of a national policy on the use of oil dispersants.

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.

As per Port Notice No 16 of 2020, the Authority for Transport in Malta published the ‘Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Regulations’ (L.N. 450 of 2020) as part of the national pollution preparedness and response legal framework. The objectives of these regulations include: • To establish, in accordance with the provisions of the Oil Pollution, Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Convention and the OPRC-Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Protocol, as may be amended from time to time, a regulatory framework for the applicability of the said Convention and Protocol to which Malta is a signatory and therefore is obliged to enact into Maltese Law; and • To make provision with respect to the applicability of the National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (NMPCP) for the requirement to have in place marine pollution response emergency plans for marine terminals, marine facilities and ports. These regulations came into force on 1st January 2021. Furthermore the Authority for Transport in Malta is continuously ensuring that the OPRC Regulations and all Pollution Contingency Plans under its jurisdiction are being implemented to ensure an effective and efficient preparedness and response to oil pollution.

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.