ecological effects of marine protected areas empafish project ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

EMPAFISH Booklet no. 1 Ecological effects of Atlanto-Mediterranean MPAs in the EU iv) Monitoring of main biotope distributions v) Assessment of the occurance and distribution of alien species vi) Assessment of links between geology and biodiversity E) Education and public awareness. i) Publication and dissemination of printed informative material ii) Media promotion iii) Communication with schools and other educational centres iv) Communication with stakeholders v) Website development Contacts 116 Ms Sarah Debono Sarah.debono@mepa.org.mt P.O. Box 200, Marsa GPO 01 Malta. Tel : +356 22906004 / 2290 2295 www.mepa.org.mt Rdum Majjiesa / Ras Ir-Raheb: ecological studies � General There has been only one scientific study on the Rdum Majjiesa to Ras il-Raheb MPA (reported in Pirotta & Schembri 2000 and Pirotta 2001). The main objectives were to assess the biological characteristics of the site, which has been proposed as Malta’s first Marine Protected Area. This assessment was intended to produce an inventory and a scientific description of the major biological complexes occurring within the site’s boundaries. The study was also intended to produce the base maps necessary for environmental managers to draw plans and programmes for zoning, managing and protecting the site. Two surveys were carried out during the study, bathymetric and benthic, using a variety of diving techniques (multidirectional belt transects in proximity of the shore using snorkelling and SCUBA, unidirectional belt transects using diver-operated vehicles (DOVs) and SCUBA spot dives using anchored shot-lines). The data collected from these surveys were used to produce two sets of maps each at a scale of 1:2,500: one set showing the major geomorphologic features (bottom types) of the study area, and a second set showing the major biotic assemblages present. A synoptic version of these maps was also produced at a scale of 1:10,000. The data collected during the bathymetric and benthic surveys were combined to produce a map of the major seascapes present in the study area at a scale of 1:10,000. The scientific investigations carried out during the study also provided new knowledge, and qualitative and quantitative data on the major geophysical and biotic characteristics of the proposed MPA, that confirmed the suitability of the Rdum Majjiesa to Ras il-Raheb area as a MPA. These baseline studies
EMPAFISH Booklet no. 1 Ecological effects of Atlanto-Mediterranean MPAs in the EU were subsequently used to make proposals for zoning (Grech 2002; Agnesi 2003), for monitoring programmes (Schembri et al., 2004) and for management of the area (Anon. 2005). In November 2005, the proposed Rdum Majjiesa to Ras il-Raheb MPA was declared a “Special Area of Conservation and as a candidate site of international importance” in terms of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2003. Designation under these regulations is the legal basis for designating MPAs in Malta. 117
Page 1 and 2:
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MARINE PROTEC
Page 3:
Project nº SSP8-006539 EMPAFISH Eu
Page 7 and 8:
Foreword Marine Protected Areas (MP
Page 9 and 10:
EMPAFISH Booklet no. 1 Ecological e
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Columbretes islands: ecological stu
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 57 and 58:
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74: EMPAFISH Booklet no. 1 Ecological e
Page 103 and 104: Monte da Guia-Faial: ecological stu
Page 123: EMPAFISH Booklet no. 1 Ecological e
show all

ecological effects of marine protected areas empafish project ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?