Sustainable maritime governance is critical to the safety and security of our seas and oceans, the safety of human life at sea, and the regulation of growing global challenges such as irregular migration and maritime crime. Sustainability, in this context, is not only about environmental protection but also about creating durable legal, political, and societal frameworks that respond effectively to human and security challenges at sea. Governance through knowledge, built on law, regulation, and public understanding, is fundamental in achieving this balance. It is only through effective legal response strategies that accountability, and long-term maritime stability can be ensured.
University of Malta Maritime Platform (UMP) members, Professor Patricia Vella de Fremeaux and Dr Felicity Attard are full-time academics at the University of Malta, and contribute to the teaching, research and awareness of the human element of migrant smuggling both in Malta and overseas. They also participate in a number of international projects such as the COST-Action "Life, Liberty and Health: Ensuring Universal Protection of Human Rights at Sea." This current action aims to identify the content of the various rights of persons at sea and to determine who is responsible for their protection. It engages in a multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional debate which is aimed at addressing both conceptual and practical issues that arise from the duty to protect human rights at sea.
Political instability, climate change, and socio-economic deprivation are fuelling perilous journeys across the sea, exposing vulnerable populations to the horrors of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. These activities are increasingly viewed as major threats to maritime security. States are thus confronted with the dual challenge of securing their borders while upholding international obligation related to human rights and asylum. The European Union, for example, faces mounting pressure to reconcile humanitarian principles with security concerns amidst unprecedented migration flows. Patricia explains that "Our research explores the intersection of irregular maritime migration and international legal frameworks, specifically the law of the sea, human rights law and the law relating to organized crime."
The current international legal regime is shaped by obligations of cooperation, protection, and enforcement. However, it is important that these frameworks improve and evolve to ensure that legal obligation are respected and that duties of cooperation culminate in an effective result, which in most cases will be, disembarkation at a port of safety. A more sustainable form of maritime governance thus demands not only stronger regulations but also greater societal awareness and legal adaptability. Laws therefore must be interpreted and applied in ways that enhance inter-State coordination, respect the rights and dignity of migrants, and reflect the complexities of modern migration flows.
To this end, knowledge, legal, institutional, and societal, must be seen as a tool of governance. Ongoing research by Patricia and Felicity, argues for a progressive legal approach that builds on past regulatory efforts while embracing new, inclusive and sustainable forms of cooperation. Maritime governance cannot succeed without embedding human dignity, legal clarity, and cross-border solidarity into its foundation.
Society and its contribution to marine and maritime improvements are diverse and far reaching in achieving sustainability in both human and environmental safety.
Another UMP member, Prof Michael Briguglio from the Department of Sociology at the University of Malta is currently conducting sociological research that explores the intersection of environmental activism, maritime governance, and power in the Maltese context. This work focuses primarily on the role of environmental NGOs (eNGOs) in shaping coastal and maritime protection, as well as in navigating the complex power structures that influence policy-making in these areas.
Given Malta's high population density, limited landmass, and growing urban and economic pressure - eNGOs have emerged as key actors advocating for environmental sustainability. Through elite interviews with eNGO representatives, Michael is investigating how these organizations interpret their role, articulate their strategies, and mobilize resources in defence of coastal and maritime environments. This includes exploring their social networks, modes of activism, and the unique challenges of working within Malta's specific insular context. eNGOs are also asked to reflect on how coastal and maritime concerns may differ from broader environmental issues.
In a complementary study, Michael is adopting Steve Lukes' three-dimensional theory of power to examine how eNGOs engage with, resist, and attempt to transform power in maritime politics. The research explores how eNGOs try to influence formal decisions, counteract institutional silences around key issues, and challenge dominant ideologies that shape public and political discourse on the marine environment.
Drawing on insights from environmental sociology, political sociology, maritime sociology, and social movement theory, Michael's research highlights the organizational dynamics, repertoires, and ideas of eNGOs in their social interaction on the issues under analysis. Michael argues that these organizations are not only engaged in advocacy but also play a transformative role in shifting policy narratives and promoting environmental justice and sustainable development. Michael is also developing sociological understanding of maritime governance in small island states like Malta.
As a conservation biologist Prof Adriana Vella, UMP chair, has contributed to the need for greater participation by society in the care and protection of natural resources and biodiversity. The Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, that she leads, has benefitted from the support of volunteers from the eNGO BICREF (The Biological Conservation Research Foundation) that she has founded. BICREF's nonprofit making environmental mission has allowed for youths both local and foreign to experience hands on in dedicating time to learning, discovering and contributing greater environmental awareness through accurate knowledge. Various sectors of society have increasingly become active in providing support to conservation research, including the Armed Forces of Malta, Civil Protection, Transport Malta, ERA, Yacht Clubs, Fishermen, SCUBA divers, Kayaking and other sea users. This growing network of active participation in conservation and sharing in environmental care also shows how what is now called citizen science has actually been with us for decades.
Society and governance for a sustainable future need to see everyone participate responsibly, considering every action as having a local to global domino effect. So no one is too little or insignificant to give a helping hand in safeguarding humanity and precious planet Earth. The marine environment and its biodiversity form the beating heart of this planet, therefore how we shall manage to integrate its care and human activities is of paramount importance.
The UMP is organising the international conference: Innovation in Marine and Maritime Sustainable Developments: Research and Applications running through the 7th to 9th of May 2025, shall show case some of the innovations in governance and encourage dialogue for improving our prospects aligning with marine and maritime targets.
Registrations to this conference are open for participants interested to learn and share experiences while contributing to recommendations that this conference will prepare for national and European consideration.
For further information on the UMP and CBRG-UM contact Prof Adriana Vella: [email protected]