Malta’s marine ecology is rich and diverse, with a variety of habitats and species that are unique to the region. The Maltese waters are home to several important habitats, such as seagrass meadows, coralligenous formations, and maerl beds, which support a range of species, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Marine Ecology in Malta
Malta’s marine ecology is rich and diverse, with a variety of unique habitats and species found in its waters. Malta’s marine environment faces various threats, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) is the competent authority responsible for the conservation and management of Malta’s marine environment.
The ERA has designated several marine protected areas to conserve sensitive habitats and species and has implemented regulations to protect marine resources.
These habitats are also critical for the survival of several protected species, such as the loggerhead turtle, the Mediterranean monk seal, and several species of cetaceans.
Check out the Visitor Carrying Capacity we conducted for the island of Comino
Our Marine Services
As part of our research & analytics services, AIS Environment is proud to offer a comprehensive marine ecology study service that covers a range of studies, from habitat mapping surveys to identifying important flora and fauna species. Our team of experienced marine ecologists can help you comply with Maltese legislation while protecting and preserving sensitive marine ecosystems.
Marine Ecology
Malta’s marine ecology boasts rich biodiversity, featuring unique habitats like rocky shores, sandy beaches, and seagrass meadows.
Habitat Mapping Surveys
Our marine ecology surveys include habitat mapping surveys to identify and map the distribution of benthic habitats such as seagrass beds, corals, and rocky reefs. Apart from traditional SCUBA diving, our surveys use the latest technologies, such as sidescan sonar, multi-beam echo sounders and ROVs.
Identify Flora & Fauna Species
We use a variety of methods to assess the presence, abundance, and distribution of species, including visual surveys, transect sampling, and remote sensing techniques. Our marine ecologists have extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna species.
Maltese Legislation
We are very familiar with the relevant legislation, including the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations and other legislation. We offer expert advice on compliance requirements.
Protected Habitats and Species
We offer specialised marine ecology services related to protected habitats and species.
Malta has several protected marine habitats, including Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous formations, and maerl beds.
Similarly, Malta has several protected marine species, such as the loggerhead turtle, the Mediterranean monk seal, and several species of cetaceans.
