A special interactive day at Wied iż-Żurrieq was organised by the SEA MARVEL project team to highlight the importance of the marine Natura 2000 site. The team welcomed school children from the primary school of Qrendi, Kullegg San Benedittu together with their teachers, local fishermen, SCUBA divers and other sea users and stakeholder representatives, including the mayor representing the Qrendi local council.
The Italia-Malta Interreg SEA MARVEL project team from the University of Malta led by Prof. Adriana Vella celebrated World Oceans Day, on 8 June, through a dedicated field experience to one of Malta’s marine Natura 2000 site to encourage greater participation from young students to learn about, experience and act in safeguarding the sea and its biodiversity.
There are many reasons which have prompted the marine area around Wied iż-Żurrieq, Għar Lapsi and Filfla to be selected as a Natura 2000 site. This marine area hosts a heterogenous seabed, consisting of a relatively high species richness compared to other areas of the Maltese islands. The seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the area contributes to high values of primary production in the Mediterranean Sea. The seagrass meadows serve several ecosystem services that benefit both the natural environment and human society. They store over 50% of carbon buried in marine sediments globally. They also provide habitat and nutrition for many species of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and species of plants and macroalgae. This nursery environment offers juvenile fish, including species of commercial interest, shelter from predators. Although, these meadows are protected by national and international legislation, they face different threats including trawling and anchoring of pleasure boats.
Marine biodiversity encompasses a vast array of life forms that inhabit the ecologically rich and diverse Natura 2000 sites. This diversity in species and habitats are of great importance in many ways. Marine organisms provide essential ecosystem function that keeps the sea healthy and productive thus being a crucial food source for millions of individuals around the Mediterranean. Coral reefs and seagrass beds also provide protection of coastal settlements by acting as natural buffers. The marine environment also has a great economic and social benefit through the tourism industry and recreational activities. Such ecosystems are also essential in regulating the Earth’s climate through ‘carbon sinks’ which absorb and store carbon dioxide.
Throughout the course of the project, the SEA MARVEL team is undertaking various actions to conserve marine biodiversity in Maltese waters and enhance ocean literacy among the local communities. These actions include interventions that reduce plastic debris in our seas, training of fishermen and sailors to become sentinels of the sea and writing management plan guidelines for six Natura 2000 sites. The University of Malta SEA MARVEL project team has also trained youths on advanced conservation techniques, including DNA barcoding of species, essential for identifying species and populations constituting marine biodiversity that requires conservation management.
Specially prepared SEA MARVEL resources were also made available to students, teachers, and stakeholders to better recognise the need to save, enhance, admire marine versatile life.
For further information contact Prof. Adriana Vella.
