Award of the IOI Elisabeth Mann Borgese Bursary, 2015 and presentation of the results of the Bursary awarded in 2014
The Elisabeth Mann Borgese (EMB) Bursary of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) was established as a means of demonstrating recognition to the host country of the IOI – Malta – for hosting the IOI Headquarters and for providing facilities for staff and offices at the University of Malta’s Msida campus. The Bursary is financed through the IOI and constitutes a further recognition and acknowledgement of the role of Prof. E. Mann Borgese, founder of IOI, and of her considerable achievements.
The 2015 EMB Bursary is awarded to Ms Kristina Edwards to carry out research titled “Assessing levels of microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligationsâ€. The research, which is being carried out within the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science at the University of Malta, aims to make a contribution to our comprehension of the effects of microplastics exposure on marine life with particular reference to the Central Mediterranean. Therefore, the first phase will involve the characterization of quantitative and qualitative profiles of these micro-items in several locations and habitats. This primarily includes conducting monitoring surveys at various local coastal sandy beaches and inshore waters at different periods of the year, as well as in at least one targeted marine species. This data from the first phase will assist in establishing the ecologically relevant levels and forms of microplastics to which certain marine organisms may be exposed in the field. Subsequently, ecotoxicological studies will be undertaken to assess the impacts of these micro-items on selected marine species, depending on progress achieved during the first phase.
The 2014 EMB Bursary awarded to Ms Marija Mangion to carry out research on the influence of tuna penning activities on soft substratum macrofaunal assemblages has also come to its conclusion this October with the successful achievement of the research aims for the EMB Bursary award.
The award ceremony for this year’s Bursary was held on 12 October at the offices of the IOI Headquarters on Campus. Present at the Ceremony were Dr Awni Behnam, Honorary President, IOI; University of Malta Pro-Rector Prof. Alfred Vella, Member of the Governing Board of the IOI; and Prof. Victor Axiak and Prof. Alan Deidun both from the Faculty of Science, who are supervising Ms Edward’s research; Ms Kristina Edwards; Ms Antonella Vassallo (Managing Director) and Mr Ben Rizzo (Administrator) from the IOI HQ and the previous EMB Bursary award winner, Ms Marija Mangion.
For further information about the IOI and its programmes please contact ioihq@ioihq.org.mt.
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Elisabeth Mann Borgese (April 24, 1918 - February 8, 2002), founded the IOI in 1972 as a knowledge-based non-governmental, non-profit international organization devoted to the sustainable development of the oceans. IOI works to uphold and expand the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the benefit of humankind as a whole, with particular consideration of the poor. The mission of the International Ocean Institute is to promote education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.
Malta is the host country of the International Ocean Institute Headquarters. As an island state straddling the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, it has a long history of dependence on the sea as well as a strong tradition of maritime, fishing and seafaring occupation. Its membership of the European Union confers on it an obligation to adhere to the European maritime and fishing policies as well as conventions and regulations which are global in scope.
