One should not forget that the economic potential of marine protected areas is increasingly being appreciated, based on the demand coming from recreational- and tourism-based activities to access and exploit allocated resources at these sites. It is thus becoming increasingly important and urgent to „costâ€&#x; the use of these resources and introduce financial mechanisms intended to assist in the conservation or improvement of such natural ecosystems. These mechanisms must be operated in tandem with proven management practices aimed at monitoring and evaluating the natural carrying capacity of these sites. This issue is particularly relevant since there is now a strategic indication to increase the number of marine protected areas in Maltese waters. LIFE BaÄŚAR for N2K (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845)4 for example, is an on-going project that aims at extending and identifying new marine sites of community importance for inclusion within the existing Natura 2000 network. Based on this information, the expected trend in marine protected areas in the Maltese Islands seems to be both in terms of improved management as well as spatial increase. iv)
Interactions with other sectors
Cross-sectoral interactions on the marine environment originate from the following sectors: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Maritime transport Energy production Land-based activities Coastal development Maritime transport and ports Tourism and recreation Aquaculture and fisheries
It is important to note that the designation of marine Natura 2000 sites does not necessarily exclude other uses within these areas. Fundamentally, the aim is to ensure that the habitats and species of conservation interest as indicated in relation to the Habitats and Birds Directives maintain or improve their conservation status. To this end, therefore, it is necessary to ensure that other activities will not negatively affect the integrity of these sites. The conservation and management of protected sites must necessarily consider an integrated planning approach that is defined by appropriate measures that ensure the integrity of the site, and where possible the conservation status (of both habitats and species of interest) is improved. Development of management plans must thus include a strong element of stakeholder involvement and consultation, both at the strategic level (to ensure that sectoral plans take into consideration the relevant conservation objectives and management measures), as well as to ensure that anthropogenic activities would not negatively affect the integrity of the protected areas. Until management plans are developed and implemented, legislation transposing the Habitats Directive will also be fundamental in ensuring protection of these sites.
4
http://lifebahar.org.mt/
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