The Mediterranean Killifish and the Maltese Freshwater Crab have been declared as National Species by the Environment and Resources Authority.

A number of National Species had been declared in Malta in the past, namely the National Plant – the Maltese Rock Centaury, the National Tree – the Sandarac Gum Tree and the National Bird – the Blue Rock Thrush.

Such declarations are now substantiated by legal provisions.

Along such lines, the establishment of a legal framework for the designation of national species was appropriate and necessary, the ERA said yesterday. Through this framework, ERA does not only officially designate these species, but also includes criteria for future selection of further species of flora and fauna as national species under the Environment Protection Act.

The regulations also strengthen the level of legal protection of these species by increasing the penalties for contraventions against such national species. In addition, the regulations promote the conservation, surveillance and monitoring of these species.

The new Species Protection (Designation of National Species) Regulations (S.L. 549.120) came into force on 23 January.