Proposal for a Malta national seabed mapping programme

Abstract

The Maltese continental shelf comprises our largest single natural resource. It covers an area of almost 76,000 km2

of seabed that is very poorly mapped and understood. Here we propose the Malta National Seabed Mapping Programme with the aim of mapping the entire Maltese continental shelf and create a range of integrated mapping products of the physical and biological features of the seabed. The strategic drivers for, and the primary benefits associated with, the Malta National Seabed Mapping Programme are numerous and relate to: • international and local legislative requirements and obligations; • marine non-renewable resources; • marine biological resources; • marine environmental management and monitoring; • maritime spatial planning; • fisheries and aquaculture; • shipping and navigation; • renewable energy solutions; • tourism; • offshore infrastructure resources; • natural hazard prediction and risk assessment; • protection of offshore cultural heritage; • development of a knowledge-based economy; • scientific research. The proposed 4 year programme, which has an estimated cost of around €3.9 million, will include 8 work packages (WP): • WP1: data acquisition; • WP2: data processing; • WP3: data interpretation; • WP4: capacity building; • WP5: data storage and management; • WP6: data integration and exchange; • WP7: dissemination; • WP8: value added exploitation.

These work packages can be implemented through a co-ordinated approach between the University of Malta and a number of Government departments and agencies. The data and products generated will be beneficial to wide range of users from industry, public authorities, scientists and civil society. They will constitute a valuable national asset that will comprise the body of knowledge required for the operation and management of our seabed, and that will underpin present and future economic, environmental, infrastructural, and social decisions. The Malta National Seabed Mapping Programme will also support the development of a national policy for marine resource management in line with the European Union’s Communications on Blue Growth and Europe 2020.