Managing Gozo鈥檚 Marine Protected Areas

Abstract

The author described the EU funded PANACEA project being undertaken jointly between Malta and Italy. The aim of the project is to promote the sound scientific management of biodiversity assets within Sicilian and Maltese Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by drawing on codes of best practice developed within selected MPAs and through the institution of environmental educational centres. In Malta whilst we currently have 5 MPAs there is a complete lack of promotional platforms and environmental educational spinoffs from such MPAs. The result being that local MPAs remain obscure to both local and foreign tourists interested in scuba diving.