365 tal-2018

L.N. 365 of 2018

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT

(CAP. 549)

Marine Policy Framework (Amendment) Regulations, 2018

BY VIRTUE of the powers conferred by articles 54 and 55 of the

Environment Protection Act, the Minister for the Environment,

Sustainable Development and Climate Change, after consultation with

the Environment and Resources Authority, has made the following

regulations:-

The title of these regulations is the Marine Policy Citation.

Framework (Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and these regulations

shall be read and construed as one with the Marine Policy Framework S.L. 549.62.

Regulations, hereinafter referred to as “the principal regulations”.

Sub-regulation (2) of regulation 1 of the principal Amends

regulation 1 of

regulations shall be substituted by the following

the principal

regulations.

''(2) The scope of these regulations is to establish a

framework within which Malta shall take the necessary measures

to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine

environment by the year 2020 at the latest and to transpose the

provisions of Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament

and of the Council, as amended by Commission Directive 2017/

845/EU of 17 May 2017 amending Directive 2008/56/EC of the

European Parliament and of the Council as regards the indicative

lists of elements to be taken into account for the preparation of

marine strategies.''.

Schedule II of the principal regulations shall be substituted Substitutes

Schedule II of

by the following new Schedule

the principal

regulations.

''SCHEDULE II

Regulations 6, 7, 8 and 9

Indicative lists of ecosystem elements, anthropogenic pressures and

human activities relevant to the marine waters

Table 1

Structure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems with particular relevance

for point (a) of regulation 6(1), and regulations 7 and 9

Relevant

qualitative

Possible parameters and

descriptors laid

Theme

Ecosystem elements

characteristics (Note 1)

down in

Schedule I

(Notes 2 and 3)

Species

Species groups (Note 4) of

Spatial and temporal variation per

(1); (3)

marine birds, mammals,

species or population

reptiles, fish and

— distribution, abundance and/or

cephalopods of the marine

biomass

region or subregion

— size, age and sex structure

— fecundity, survival and

mortality/injury rates

— behaviour including

movement and migration

— habitat for the species (extent,

suitability)

Species composition of the group

Habitats

Broad habitat types of the

Per habitat type

(1); (6)

water column (pelagic) and

— habitat distribution and extent

seabed (benthic) (Note 5),

(and volume, if appropriate)

or other habitat types,

— species composition,

including their associated

abundance and/or biomass (spatial

biological communities

and temporal variation)

throughout the marine

region or subregion

— size and age structure of

species (if appropriate)

— physical, hydrological and

chemical characteristics

Additionally for pelagic habitats

— chlorophyll a concentration

— plankton bloom frequencies

and spatial extent

Ecosystems,

Ecosystem structure,

Spatial and temporal variation in

(1); (4)

functions and processes,

— temperature and ice

food webs

comprising

— hydrology (wave and current

— physical and

regimes; upwelling, mixing,

hydrological characteristics

residence time, freshwater input;

— chemical

sea level)

characteristics

— bathymetry

— biological

— turbidity (silt/sediment loads),

characteristics

transparency, sound

— functions and

— seabed substrate and

processes

morphology

— salinity, nutrients (N, P),

organic carbon, dissolved gases

(pCO 2 , O 2 ) and pH

— links between habitats and

species of marine birds, mammals,

reptiles, fish and cephalopods

— pelagic-benthic community

structure

— productivity

Notes related to Table 1

An indicative list of relevant parameters and characteristics for species,

habitats and ecosystems is given, reflecting parameters affected by the

pressures of Table 2 of this Schedule and of relevance to criteria laid

down in accordance with Article 9(3) of Directive 2008/56/EC. The

particular parameters and characteristics to be used for monitoring and

assessment should be determined in accordance with the requirements of

these regulations, including those of regulations 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The numbers in this column refer to the respective numbered points in

Schedule I.

Only the state-based qualitative descriptors (1), (3), (4) and (6) which

have criteria laid down in accordance with Article 9(3) of Directive

2008/56/EC are listed in Table 1. All other, pressure-based, qualitative

descriptors under Schedule I may be relevant for each theme.

These species groups are further specified in Part II of the Annex to

Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 of 17 May 2017 laying down

criteria and methodological standards on good environmental status of

marine waters and specifications and standardised methods for

monitoring and assessment, and repealing Decision 2010/477/EU.

These broad habitat types are further specified in Part II of the Annex to

Decision (EU) 2017/848.

Table 2

Anthropogenic pressures, uses and human activities

in or affecting the marine environment

2a. Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment

with particular relevance for points (a) and (b) of regulation 6(1) and regulations 7, 8 and 9

Relevant

qualitative

descriptors laid

Pressure (Note 1)

Possible parameters

down in

Schedule I

(Notes 2 and 3)

Input or spread of non-indigenous

Intensity of, and spatial and

(2)

species

temporal variation in, the pressure

in the marine environment and,

Input of microbial pathogens

where relevant, at source

Input of genetically modified species and

For assessment of environmental

translocation of native species

impacts of the pressure, select

relevant ecosystem elements and

Loss of, or change to, natural biological

parameters from Table 1

communities due to cultivation of animal

or plant species

Disturbance of species (e.g. where they

breed, rest and feed) due to human

presence

Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild

(3)

species (by commercial and recreational

fishing and other activities)

Physical disturbance to seabed

(6); (7)

(temporary or reversible)

Physical loss (due to permanent change

of seabed substrate or morphology and to

extraction of seabed substrate)

Changes to hydrological conditions

Input of nutrients

(5)

— diffuse sources, point sources,

atmospheric deposition

Input of organic matter

—

diffuse sources and point sources

Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic

(8); (9)

substances, non-synthetic substances,

radionuclides)

— diffuse sources, point sources,

atmospheric deposition, acute events

Input of litter (solid waste matter,

(10)

including micro-sized litter)

Input of anthropogenic sound

(11)

(impulsive, continuous)

Input of other forms of energy (including

electromagnetic fields, light and heat)

Input of water

—

point sources (e.g. brine)

2b. Uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment

with particular relevance for points (b) and (c) of regulation 6 (1) (only activities marked * are relevant for point (c) of

regulation 6(1)), and regulations 8 and 10

Theme

Activity

Physical restructuring of rivers, coastline or seabed

Land claim

(water management)

Canalisation and other watercourse modifications

Coastal defence and flood protection*

Offshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables)*

Restructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and

depositing of materials*

Extraction of non-living resources

Extraction of minerals (rock, metal ores, gravel, sand, shell)*

Extraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure*

Extraction of salt*

Extraction of water*

Production of energy

Renewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power),

including infrastructure*

Non-renewable energy generation

Transmission of electricity and communications (cables)*

Extraction of living resources

Fish and shellfish harvesting (professional, recreational)*

Fish and shellfish processing*

Marine plant harvesting*

Hunting and collecting for other purposes*

Cultivation of living resources

Aquaculture — marine, including infrastructure*

Aquaculture — freshwater

Agriculture

Forestry

Transport

Transport infrastructure*

Transport — shipping*

Transport — air

Transport — land

Urban and industrial uses

Urban uses

Industrial uses

Waste treatment and disposal*

Tourism and leisure

Tourism and leisure infrastructure*

Tourism and leisure activities*

Security/defence

Military operations (subject to regulation 1(5))

Education and research

Research, survey and educational activities*

Notes related to Table 2

Assessments of pressures should address their levels in the marine

environment and, if appropriate, the rates of input (from land-based or

atmospheric sources) to the marine environment.

The numbers in this column refer to the respective numbered points in

Schedule I.

Only pressure-based qualitative descriptors (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9),

(10) and (11), which have criteria laid down in accordance with Article

9(3) of Directive 2008/56/EC, are listed in Table 2a. All other, state-

based, qualitative descriptors under Schedule I may be relevant for each

theme.''.

€0.54

In-numri f'din il-kolonna huma referenza għall-punti nnumerati

rispettivament fl-Iskeda I.

Fit-Tabella 1 huma elenkati biss id-deskritturi kwalitattivi (1), (3), (4) u

(6) ibbażati fuq l-istat, li għandhom il-kriterji stipulati skont l-Artikolu

9(3) tad-Direttiva 2008/56/KE. Id-deskritturi kwalitattivi l-oħrajn kollha

bbażati fuq il-pressjoni, fl-Iskeda I jistgħu jkunu rilevanti għal kull tema.

Dawn il-gruppi ta' speċi huma speċifikati aktar fid-dettall fil-Parti II tal-

Anness tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni (UE) 2017/848 tas-17 ta' Mejju

2017 li tistabbilixxi kriterji u standards metodoloġiċi ta’ status

ambjentali tajjeb tal-ilmijiet tal-baħar, kif ukoll speċifikazzjonijiet u

metodi standardizzati għall-monitoraġġ u l-valutazzjoni, u li tħassar id-

Deċiżjoni 2010/477/UE.

Dawn it-tipi ġenerali ta’ ħabitats huma speċifikati aktar fid-dettall fil-

Parti II tal-Anness tad-Deċiżjoni (UE) 2017/848.

Tabella 2

Il-pressjonijiet antropoġeniċi, l-użi u l-attivitajiet tal-bniedem fl-ambjent tal-baħar

jew li jaffettwaw l-ambjent tal-baħar

2a. Il-pressjonijiet antropoġeniċi fuq l-ambjent tal-baħar

b'rilevanza partikolari għall-punti (a) u (b) tar-regolament 6(1), u r-regolamenti 7, 8 u 9

Id-deskritturi

kwalitattivi

Tema

Il-pressjoni (Nota 1)

Il-parametri possibbli

rilevanti stabbiliti

fl-Iskeda I (in-

Noti 2 u 3)

Bijoloġika

Id-dħul ta' jew it-tixrid ta' speċi mhux indiġeni

L-intensità u l-varjazzjoni

(2)

spazjali u temporali, tal-

Id-dħul ta' patoġeni mikrobiċi

pressjoni fuq l-ambjent tal-

Id-dħul ta' speċi li tkun immodifikata

baħar u, fejn rilevanti, fis-sors

ġenetikament u t-traslokazzjoni ta' speċi lokali

Għall-valutazzjoni tal-impatti

It-telf ta' komunitajiet bijoloġiċi naturali, jew

ambjentali tal-pressjoni, agħżel

bidla fihom, minħabba l-koltivazzjoni ta' speċi

l-elementi tal-ekosistemi u l-

ta' annimali jew veġetali

parametri rilevanti mit-

L-isfrattar tal-ispeċi (eż. fejn ibidu, fejn

Tabella 1

jistrieħu u fejn jieklu) minħabba l-preżenza tal-

bniedem

L-estrazzjoni ta' speċi slavaġ, jew il-mewt/il-

(3)

korriment tagħhom, (minħabba s-sajd

kummerċjali u rikreattiv u attivitajiet oħra)

Fiżika

Disturbi fiżiċi ta' qiegħ il-baħar (temporanji jew

(6); (7)

riversibbli)

Telf fiżiku (minħabba bidla permanenti tas-

sottostrat ta' qiegħ il-baħar jew minħabba l-

morfoloġija u l-estrazzjoni tas-sottostrat minn

qiegħ il-baħar)

Bidliet fil-kondizzjonijiet idroloġiċi

Sustanzi,

Id-dħul tan-nutrijenti

(5)

skart u

— sorsi diffużi, sorsi minn punti partikolari,

enerġija

depożitu atmosferiku

Id-dħul ta' materja organika

—

sorsi diffużi u sorsi minn punti partikolari

Id-dħul ta' sustanzi oħrajn (eż. sustanzi

(8); (9)

sintetiċi, sustanzi mhux sintetiċi, radjunuklidi)

— sorsi diffużi, is-sorsi minn punti, depożitu

atmosferiku, avvenimenti akuti

Id-dħul ta' skart (skart solidu li jinkludi l-iskart

(10)

ta' daqs mikro)

Id-dħul ta' ħsejjes antropoġeniċi (impulsivi,

(11)

kontinwi)

Id-dħul ta' forom oħra ta' enerġija (fosthom il-

kampi elettromanjetiċi, id-dawl u s-sħana)

Id-dħul ta' ilma

— sorsi minn punti partikolari (eż. ilma

mielaħ)

2b. L-użi u l-attivitajiet tal-bniedem li jaffettwaw l-ambjent tal-baħar

b'rilevanza partikolari għall-punti (b) u (ċ) tar-regolament 6(1) (l-attivitajiet immarkati * biss huma rilevanti għall-punt (ċ)

tar-regolament 6(1)), u għar-regolamenti 8 u 10

Tema

Attività

Ir-ristrutturar fiżiku tax-xmajjar, kostali jew

It-teħid tal-art

f'qiegħ il-baħar (il-ġestjoni tal-ilma)

Il-bini ta' sistemi ta' kanali u modifiki oħra tal-kanali tal-ilma

Id-difiża tal-kosta u l-protezzjoni mill-għargħar *

Strutturi barra mix-xtut (minbarra dawk taż-żejt/tal-gass/tal-enerġija

rinnovabbli)*

Ir-ristrutturar tal-morfoloġija ta' qiegħ il-baħar, inkluż it-tindif tal-ħama u

d-depożitu ta' materjali *

L-estrazzjoni ta' riżorsi mhux ħajjin

L-estrazzjoni ta' minerali (ġebel, metall, minerali, żrar, ramel, qxur tal-

molluski) *

L-estrazzjoni taż-żejt u tal-gass, inkluż l-infrastruttura*

L-estrazzjoni tal-melħ

L-estrazzjoni tal-ilma *

Il-produzzjoni tal-enerġija

Il-ġenerazzjoni tal-enerġija rinnovabbli (mir-riħ, mill-mewġ u l-enerġija

mill-mili u t-tifrigħ tal-baħar), inkluż l-infrastruttura*

Il-ġenerazzjoni tal-enerġija mhux rinnovabbli

It-trażmissjoni tal-elettriku u tal-komunikazzjonijiet (cables)*

L-estrazzjoni tar-riżorsi ħajjin

Il-qbid ta' ħut u tal-frott tal-baħar (professjonali, ta' rikreazzjoni) *

L-ipproċessar ta' ħut u frott tal-baħar*

Il-qtugħ tal-pjanti tal-baħar*

Il-kaċċa u l-ġbir għal skopijiet oħra*

Il-kultivazzjoni ta' riżorsi ħajjin

L-akkwakultura —fil-baħar, inkluż l-infrastruttura*

L-akwakultura fl-ilma ħelu

L-agrikultura

Il-forestrija

It-trasport

L-infrastruttura tat-trasport*

It-trasport —bastimenti tal-baħar*

It-trasport —bl-ajru

It-trasport — fuq l-art

L-użi industrijali u urban

L-użi urbani

L-użi industrijali

It-trattament u r-rimi tal-iskart*

It-turiżmu u l-passatempi

L-infrastrutturi għat-turiżmu u għall-passatempi

L-attivitajiet turistiċi u l-passatempi*

Is-sigurtà u d-difiża

Operazzjonijiet militari (soġġett għar-regolament 1(5))

L-edukazzjoni u r-riċerka

Ir-riċerka, l-istħarriġ u l-attivitajiet edukattivi*

Noti marbuta mat-Tabella 2

Il-valutazzjonijiet tal-pressjonijiet għandhom jindirizzaw il-livelli

tagħhom fl-ambjent tal-baħar u, fejn rilevanti, ir-rati tad-dħul (minn

sorsi bbażati fuq l-art jew atmosferiċi) għall-ambjent tal-baħar.

In-numri f'din il-kolonna huma referenza għall-punti nnumerati

rispettivament fl-Iskeda I.

Fit-Tabella 2a huma elenkati biss id-deskritturi kwalitattivi (2), (3), (5)

(6), (7), (8), (9), (10) u (11) ibbażati fuq il-pressjoni, li għandhom il-

kriterji stipulati skont l-Artikolu 9(3) tad-Direttiva 2008/56/KE. Id-

deskritturi kwalitattivi l-oħrajn kollha bbażati fuq l-istat, skont l-Iskeda I

jistgħu jkunu rilevanti għal kull tema.''.