The Neptune Project, a pioneering initiative led by Malta鈥檚 Ocean Ambassador, and the Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG) within the of the University of Malta, was the highlight of a high-impact outreach event held on Wednesday, 28 May at the Salini Hotel, St. Paul鈥檚 Bay.
The event showcased the project鈥檚 work on restoring Posidonia oceanica (Neptune) seagrass meadows, crucial to the health of the Mediterranean marine environment. These meadows are endemic to the Mediterranean and are listed as a priority habitat within the EU鈥檚 Habitats Directive by virtue of the multifarious ecosystem goods and services they provide, besides acting as ecosystem engineers within the marine environment. The Neptune project managed to transplant in autumn 2024 a seagrass meadow footprint of 110m2 at Qawra, with the project set to implement a second transplantation exercise in autumn 2025.
Organised in close collaboration with the MEDSEA Foundation, Fondation de la Mer, and CMA CGM, the project鈥檚 funders, the event brought together students, researchers, industry leaders, and policy-makers to share knowledge and build awareness on marine sustainability, including the local SCUBA diving community, environmental NGOs (e.g., Nature Trust and Sharklab) and the Malta National Aquarium. As part of the initiative, students were invited to explore interactive displays and virtual reality experiences, offering them a hands-on understanding of marine ecology and the importance of habitat restoration.
The event also served as the launch platform for this year鈥檚 Saving Our Blue campaign by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness (MEEC). The campaign complements the Neptune Project鈥檚 goals by promoting sustainable practices and fostering public engagement in protecting Malta鈥檚 marine resources.
The Hon. Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness, joined the event and interacted with students, expressing her support for such educational and environmental initiatives. Key contributions were also made by Ms. Fersun Akyuz, General Manager of CMA CGM Malta; Dr. Francesca Frau, leading biologist at the MEDSEA Foundation; Ing. Abigail Cutajar, CEO of the Climate Action Authority; and Martha Curmi from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).
A tailor-made resin diorama (replica) of a Neptune seagrass meadow, procured through the same collaboration, was put on display for ocean literacy purposes during the event, whilst complimentary gadgets emblazoned with an appealing artwork designed by Mr Alessio Marrone, were also handed out to those present.
The success of the event reflects the strength of collaborative efforts between academia, NGOs, industry, and government in addressing environmental challenges and inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates. Further information about the Neptune project can be gleaned through the following clip available .
