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Right in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese Islands are well situated for monitoring regional marine biodiversity changes. Among the latter are the increasing alien species coming in through the Suez Channel and the Straits of Gibraltar or brought in through various anthropogenic vectors. The non-native species that turn into invasive do not only affect native marine communities but also the aging and shrinking Maltese small-scale fisheries (SSF) community. SSF are predicted to go extinct and with them their well-known colorful artisanal fishing boats with the eyes of Osiris, which were thought to protect them. In the meantime, large-scale fishing activities have been growing through EU and national legislations, promoting profits over long-term conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage of small fishing communities. This chapter considers the relevance of a changing marine environment and the challenges ahead to safeguard Mediterranean biodiversity, which provides its goods and services to man. The role of well-managed sustainable small-scale fisheries in overcoming some of these challenges is considered.

Sustainable Fisheries in the Mediterranean Note: This publication may be partially or completely reproduced for educational and non-profit purposes without express consent of the Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner Production (CP/RAC), always citing the source of the information. CP/RAC would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication where this material was used as a source. It is prohibited to use this information for commercial purposes or for sale without written consent from CP/RAC. The denominations used in this publication and the presentation of material in the same do not imply the expression of any opinion by CAR/PL relating to legal status of a country, territory or area, or its authorities or respecting its borders and limits. If there is any study point which can be improved or if there is any inaccuracy, please let us know. The CP/RAC, based in Barcelona-Spain, was established in 1996. Its mission is to promote mechanisms leading to sustainable consumption and production patterns and sound chemicals management in Mediterranean countries. The CP/RAC activities are financed by the Spanish Government once they have been submitted and approved by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and by the Bilateral Monitoring Commission made up of representatives from the Spanish and Catalan Governments. ; N/A

Right in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese Islands are well situated for monitoring regional marine biodiversity changes. Among the latter are the increasing alien species coming in through the Suez Channel and the Straits of Gibraltar or brought in through various anthropogenic vectors. The non-native species that turn into invasive do not only affect native marine communities but also the aging and shrinking Maltese small-scale fisheries (SSF) community. SSF are predicted to go extinct and with them their well-known colorful artisanal fishing boats with the eyes of Osiris, which were thought to protect them. In the meantime, large-scale fishing activities have been growing through EU and national legislations, promoting profits over long-term conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage of small fishing communities. This chapter considers the relevance of a changing marine environment and the challenges ahead to safeguard Mediterranean biodiversity, which provides its goods and services to man. The role of well-managed sustainable small-scale fisheries in overcoming some of these challenges is considered. ; peer-reviewed

Both long and short term marine conservation strategies are best implemented as part of effectively integrated maritime management. These strategies and management benefit from research and monitoring of mobile and vulnerable marine species, like cetaceans. A research area of 120,000 km2 around the Maltese Islands has been and still is the subject of year-round marine research since 1997 (Vella 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, Vella & Vella 2011, Vella & Vella 2012). All cetacean species in the area have been studied and are monitored annually using aerial strip-transect survey techniques (side-by-side with marine surveys) allowing for various aspects of cetacean species spatial-temporal associations to be analysed. ; N/A