Jitnieda proġett biex tissaħħaħ u tiġi restawrata l-ħajja fil-baħar, b’kollaborazzjoni bejn Malta u Sqallija
Strutturi tqiegħdu fil-qiegħ tal-baħar biex jerġgħu jinħolqu żoni naturali, azzjoni kontra speċi invażivi bħall-granċ blu u koralli invasivi, u teknoloġija moderna biex tissorvelja il-preżenza ta’ speċi invażivi u skart fil-baħar. Dawn huma wħud mill-miżuri konkreti tal-proġett REVIVE, li tnieda biex itejjeb u jsaħħaħ il-ħajja fil-baħar bejn Malta u Sqallija.
Il-proġett, iffinanzjat taħt il-Programm Interreg Italia-Malta 2021-2027, jiġbor flimkien ħames entitajiet Maltin u Taljani li se jaħdmu flimkien biex jipproteġu u jtejbu l-ambjent tal-baħar. Dawn jinkludu l-Università ta’ Malta, l-Università ta’ Palermo, Ambjent Malta, il-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche u l-Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale.
“Il-baħar tagħna hu essenzjali, għall-ambjent, għall-ekonomija u għall-kwalità tal-ħajja. Dan il-proġett juri li m’aħniex biss qed nipproteġu dak li għandna imma qed nieħdu passi konkreti biex insewwu dak li ntilef. B’investiment fix-xjenza u f’ħidma flimkien ma’ sħab internazzjonali, qed nibnu futur fejn il-baħar tagħna jkun aktar nadif u jiflaħ għall-isfidi li ġejjin,” qalet il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Indafa Pubblika Miriam Dalli waqt it-tnedija.
Il-Ministru għall-Fondi Ewropej u l-Implimentazzjoni tal-Programm Elettorali, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, qal: “Dan il-proġett juri kif il-Fondi Ewropej jistgħu jappoġġjaw azzjoni effettiva għall-ambjent tagħna. B’kollaborazzjoni ma’ sħab internazzjonali u bl-użu ta’ xjenza u teknoloġija moderna, qed nagħmlu passi importanti biex inħarsu u nsaħħu l-ħajja fil-baħar, niżguraw ekosistema aktar b’saħħitha u nibnu futur sostenibbli għall-komunitajiet tagħna.”
Il-Kap Uffiċjal Xjentifiku, fi-ħdan Ambjent Malta, Dr Alex Borg Galea qal li din l-inizjattiva tirrifletti l-impenn ta’ Ambjent Malta lejn il-konservazzjoni tal-baħar billi timplimenta miżuri ta’ konservazzjoni f’żoni marittimi protetti, sabiex tkompli ttejjeb l-istat tagħhom, b’enfasi speċjali fuq Kemmuna.
Din l-inizjattiva qed issir bl-għan li tgħin lill-ħajja fil-baħar biex tirkupra, issaħħaħ il-bijodiversità u ttejjeb il-protezzjoni tal-ambjent fil-Mediterran. Il-proġett se jibqa’ għaddej sa Novembru 2027, b’investiment ta’ €1.2 miljun. Matul dan iż-żmien, se jsiru diversi azzjonijiet, fosthom restawr ta’ żoni fil-baħar, tindif u monitoraġġ ta’ skart marittimu kif wkoll monitoraġġ u tneħħija ta’ speċi invażivi. Se tintuża wkoll teknoloġija moderna biex tinġabar informazzjoni importanti fuq l-iskart ta’ taħt il-baħar kif ukoll fuq il-preżenza ta’ speċi invażiva fil-baħar.
A project launched to strengthen and restore marine life through collaboration between Malta and Sicily
Underwater structures placed on the seabed to recreate natural habitats, action against invasive species such as the blue crab and invasive corals, and the use of modern technology to monitor the presence of invasive species and marine litter are among the key measures being implemented. These are some of the concrete actions of the REVIVE project, which has been launched to improve and enhance marine life between Malta and Sicily.
The project, funded under the Interreg Italia-Malta Programme 2021–2027, brings together five Maltese and Italian entities working jointly to protect and improve the marine environment. These include the University of Malta, the University of Palermo, Ambjent Malta, the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, and the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale.
“Our sea is essential for the environment, the economy, and quality of life. This project shows that we are not only protecting what we have but also taking concrete steps to restore what has been lost. By investing in science and working with international partners, we are building a future where our seas are cleaner and more resilient to upcoming challenges,” said Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli at the launch.
Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi stated: “This project shows how European funds can support effective action for our environment. Through collaboration with international partners and the use of science and modern technology, we are taking important steps to safeguard and strengthen marine life, ensuring a healthier ecosystem and building a sustainable future for our communities.”
The Chief Scientific Officer within Ambjent Malta, Dr Alex Borg Galea, said that this initiative reflects Ambjent Malta’s commitment to marine conservation by implementing conservation measures in protected maritime areas, with a particular focus on Comino.
This initiative aims to help marine life recover, strengthen biodiversity, and improve environmental protection in the Mediterranean. The project will run until November 2027, with an investment of €1.2 million. During this period, several actions will be carried out, including the restoration of marine areas, the cleanup and monitoring of marine litter, as well as the monitoring and removal of invasive species. Modern technology will also be used to gather important data on underwater waste and the presence of invasive species in the sea.