The Ċirkewwa Marine Park Management Plan has officially been launched, introducing a framework aimed at turning Malta's first marine park from a legal designation into an actively managed protected area through zoning, monitoring, coordinated enforcement and conservation measures, a government statement said.
The management plan, launched during an event organised by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) together with the Ministry for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, the Ministry for Tourism, the Ċirkewwa Management Council, the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta and Nature Trust Malta, identifies the habitats and species requiring protection, the pressures affecting the site and the practical measures needed to address them, the statement said.
Ministers, officials and representatives of the entities involved travelled by boat along Malta's northern coastline, passing the St Paul's Islands, recently designated as a Special Protection Area, and the surrounding cliffs before arriving at the Ċirkewwa Marine Park.
The route was intended to highlight the area's ecological importance and the need for coordinated action to protect its biodiversity while safeguarding its recreational use.
Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said protecting a marine area "cannot stop at drawing boundaries on a map", adding that the management plan "turns protection into action" through clear measures, shared responsibilities and continued monitoring.
"Our objective is to safeguard Ċirkewwa's marine environment while ensuring that people can continue to enjoy it responsibly through diving, boating, fishing, research and sustainable tourism," she said.
Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela described the marine park as an example of how environmental protection and tourism could work together, saying the sea is one of Malta's greatest assets and should be safeguarded responsibly.
He said the plan would help ensure that activities such as diving, boating and maritime tourism continue to develop sustainably while preserving Ċirkewwa's biodiversity and natural beauty for future generations.
ERA chief executive Kevin Mercieca said the launch marked "a significant milestone" following the establishment of the Ċirkewwa Marine Park earlier this year, transforming the designation into "a practical programme of action" with a clear roadmap for protecting the site while supporting recreation, research and sustainable tourism.
He added that the plan was the result of collaboration between ERA, the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta and Nature Trust Malta, and said that partnership would remain essential as the measures are implemented.
Malta Tourism Authority deputy chief executive and director of product development Kevin Fsadni said the marine park represented "a forward-looking approach to tourism management", combining conservation, scientific research, education and responsible recreation.
He said the project, which was initiated by the MTA several years ago, would help safeguard an exceptional marine ecosystem while strengthening Malta's position as a leading diving destination, benefiting both visitors and the local community.
The statement said that the management plan seeks to protect important underwater habitats, particularly Posidonia seagrass meadows, support scientific monitoring of marine biodiversity, consider clearly defined zones for different marine activities, promote codes of conduct for users, explore improved mooring arrangements and potential no-anchoring areas, strengthen monitoring and enforcement, enhance diver safety and emergency preparedness, promote educational initiatives and examine digital awareness tools, including live underwater footage and virtual reality experiences.
The plan is intended to balance environmental conservation with recreational and economic activity rather than restrict access, allowing users to continue enjoying the site while reducing pressure on sensitive habitats through zonation, monitoring and stakeholder cooperation, the statement said.