Nature in Malta

Malta, Għawdex (Gozo), Kemmuna (Comino) and smaller islands such as Filfla contain a strongly human-shaped Mediterranean landscape. Typical environments include karst limestone plateaus, rocky shores, coastal cliffs, garrigue or phrygana, which are low Mediterranean shrublands, dry valleys known locally as widien, caves, beaches, sand dunes, salt meadows, wetlands and temporary ponds. Buskett contains one of Malta's notable woodland areas, while natural woodland remains rare. Agricultural land also forms part of the landscape because farming maintains terraces, rubble walls and open rural areas. Around the islands, reefs, sandbanks, submerged caves and Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds support marine life. Protection is distributed among several designations rather than one single nature authority or one uniform system. Research figures report that 29.13% of Malta's land area has at least one protection designation. Natura 2000, the European network for protected habitats and species, includes 34 terrestrial and 18 marine sites in Malta and covers about 13.8% of the country, or more than 43.6 square kilometres. Malta also has 22 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds, 26 Bird Sanctuaries, national Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), the Filfla Nature Reserve, Il-Ponta tal-Qawra Nature Reserve, the Majjistral Nature and History Park, protected beaches and Tree Protection Areas. Sites of Geological Importance protect features whose value lies in the islands' rocks, landforms and geological history. Marine protection is especially significant because Malta's coastline and surrounding sea support biodiversity, fisheries and recreation. The Maltese Fisheries Management Zone contains a marine protected area covering 35.5% of the zone, or about 4,138 square kilometres. Marine habitats include Posidonia beds, reefs, coastal lagoons, sandbanks and submerged caves. The Ċirkewwa Marine Park Management Plan adopted in 2026 establishes zones, moorings, codes of conduct, monitoring and enforcement measures. Diving, boating and fishing remain possible under sustainable conditions, but anchoring and mooring must follow site rules that protect seagrass and other sensitive habitats. Examples of species associated with Malta include the Maltese rock-centaury (Palaeocyanus crassifolius), Mediterranean killifish (Aphanius fasciatus), blue rock-thrush (Monticola solitarius), Maltese freshwater crab (Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi), Sandarac gum tree (Tetraclinis articulata) and Maltese honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri). Marine and migratory species include Posidonia oceanica, bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, Maltese top-shells, Scopoli's shearwaters, Yelkouan shearwaters and Mediterranean storm-petrels. Protection lists under S.L. 549.44, S.L. 549.35, S.L. 549.42 and S.L. 549.123 may impose specific restrictions on killing, capturing, collecting, possessing or damaging protected species. The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is the competent authority for Natura 2000 sites, protection designations, registers, permits, monitoring and enforcement. Ambjent Malta carries out habitat restoration, implements management plans and directly manages sites such as Salina and Buskett, with support from Nature Stewards. The Wild Birds Regulation Unit manages rules concerning wild birds, Bird Sanctuaries, hunting and trapping. The Planning Authority handles planning matters in the Outside Development Zone (ODZ), the planning category covering land outside designated development areas. Project Green manages public parks and green spaces, while local councils cooperate on local projects. Non-governmental organisations and other bodies may manage particular sites through specific agreements. There is no single access rule for every natural site. Parks and open spaces are often accessible throughout the year, but each site may have its own zoning, opening arrangements and restrictions for sensitive habitats, breeding areas, cliffs, caves or islets. Aħrax and Miżieb are publicly accessible free of charge throughout the year under a government agreement. Public country paths should remain available, and blocking them is not permitted. Protected islets and nature reserves may have additional access conditions. Visitors must not remove, damage, kill, collect or keep protected species. Dumping, off-roading, unauthorised fires, habitat destruction and disruptive light or noise can harm sensitive sites and may breach applicable rules. Tree works may fall under the ERA tree-protection regime, associated guidelines and, where required, the involvement of a Licensed Tree Specialist. Organised activities in Natura 2000 sites, including studies, parties, cleanups and sports events, require an ERA permit before an intervention. The online application includes vetting in about 12 days, assessment in about 15 days, approval in approximately one month and delivery in about one day. The service page does not state a fee, and a separate permit may still be needed for a particular site, protected species or planning activity. Nature use in Malta includes walking, wildlife observation, birdwatching, diving, boating, fishing, research and environmental education. Agriculture helps maintain the cultural landscape but can also increase pressure through intensive cultivation, abandonment of farmland, soil damage and water stress. Hunting and trapping are legally regulated, and seasonal derogations can change, so current Wild Birds Regulation Unit rules should be checked before hunting or trapping. Other pressures include habitat loss and fragmentation, development, invasive alien species, pollution, trampling, fire, uncontrolled recreation, light and noise, coastal erosion and anchoring on Posidonia. Storms and flooding can also affect turtle nesting sites. Management plans and Conservation Orders support restoration of native vegetation, invasive alien species control, monitoring, patrols, surveillance and visitor management. Malta's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to 2030 addresses habitat protection and restoration, invasive species, climate pressures, pollution, sustainable use, public awareness and citizen science. E-Rangers and Nature Stewards inform visitors, patrol Natura 2000 and ODZ areas, report illegal activity and fire risks, and help coordinate an initial response when protected wildlife is injured. Site panels, school programmes, visitor outreach and citizen-science tools provide additional ways to learn about local habitats. The 1989 Red Data Book remains an official inventory, while a national biodiversity database is being developed. Conflicts often arise between conservation and development, public access and breeding protection, recreation and trampling or waste, farming and habitat or water quality, hunting and bird protection, and marine recreation or fishing and the protection of seagrass, reefs and seabirds. Malta's small, densely used islands make these conflicts especially visible. Checking the current rules of the specific site, activity and season is therefore necessary before entering sensitive areas or organising an event.