https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23523 2026-05-06T11:57:09Z 2026-05-06T11:57:09Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/24654 2017-12-14T09:59:38Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The environmental and socio-cultural sustainability of tuna penning in the Maltese islands Abstract: The rising demand for high quality Atlantic Bluefin tuna in the Japanese sushi-sashimi market has shifted the construct of the Mediterranean Bluefin fishery from its public artisanal attributes, to a privatized industrial activity. As one of the major producers of BFT, the Maltese physical and socio-cultural environments have been affected by some of the repercussions of this lucrative industry. Through qualitative analysis by interviews with experts in the field, this dissertation identifies and evaluates several environmental and socio-cultural issues emerging from this industry, whose economic prosperity is indisputable. Results have shown that tuna pens around the Maltese Islands do not have significant impact on Posidonia oceanica meadows, however, they affect benthic macrofaunal assemblages in sandy bottoms under the cages, which are in approximately 80m depth. A predominant controversial issue in user conflict at the coastal zone is the tedious sea slime that oozes out of frozen blocks of baitfish left to thaw in the cages. Issues threatening the Maltese social and cultural environment include increased competition within other fisheries, threat to the livelihood of local artisanal fishermen and persisting IUU catches, permitted by corruptibility of national observers. the study did not reach a stance on the industry’s effect on tourism. The study concludes on the fact that tuna penning in Malta is not currently a sufficiently sustainable industry, and although improvements have been made, some potential management measures that could help better regulate the tuna penning industry and mitigate its effects, are discussed in the conclusion. These proposed measures aim to alleviate pressure on wild stocks of Bluefin tuna and baitfish, and also aim to mitigate the aforementioned effects, with the vision of attaining simultaneous economic, environmental and social prosperity of this vital industry. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/24652 2017-12-14T09:47:34Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Hurt the pocket or the groin? : studying the perceived facilitators and barriers to cycling of University of Malta students Abstract: Private car use dwarfs any other transport mode in use within the Maltese Islands creating issues in public health and environmental concerns. More so cycling in Malta is still regarded as a fringe transport mode, with less than 3 % of University of Malta (UOM) students being bicycle commuters. The main aim of this study is to better understand the forces acting upon the University of Malta student body that have led to an alarmingly low number of student bicycle commuters. This involves an investigation into the perceived barriers and facilitators to cycling of University of Malta students, with special focus on how these perceptions vary across space on the densely populated, Maltese urban landscape. Primary data was collected via a close ended, multiple choice, online questionnaire consisting of 150 respondents. Quantitative data analysis consisted of various statistical tests carried out through IBM SPSS. Secondary data was collected from a variety of sources including The Green Travel Plan (GTP) provided by the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, The National Statistics Office (NSO) and Transport Malta (TM). Gender, poor cycling infrastructure, limited cycling services at UOM, the Maltese physical environment, habitual living, over complicated bicycle sharing schemes and dangerous driving by motorists were all perceived to be barriers to cycling for non-riders and occasional riders. Agreement between non-riders, occasional riders and regular riders was observed only in the barriers denoting poor cycling infrastructure and services on Maltese roads. The remaining aforementioned barriers were observed as being over exaggerated misconceptions of the actual barriers experienced by active cyclists. Non-riders were found to be well aware of the potential facilitators to cycling, where no misconceptions were observed. Perceptions of barriers and facilitators to cycling, as well as cycling propensity were all observed to exist without any special variance across the Maltese urban landscape. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z