A contract for the compilation of these management plans was awarded in October 2012 to a Consortium formed by Epsilon International SA and Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, following an international call for tenders. The project was formally launched by MEPA at a press conference held on 9th January 2013. The preparation of management plans emanates from a legal requirement to prepar
e conservation measures for protected sites under the Environment and Development Planning Act, as transposed from the EU’s Habitat’s Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). The final draft management plans will be delivered to MEPA at the end of November 2013. This project ‘Natura 2000 Management Planning for Malta and Gozo’ is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Natura 2000 network recognises the importance of nature conservation in a living and changing landscape. Human husbandry is needed to maintain habitats, and sustainable activities such as farming, tourism, fishing, forestry, sustainable hunting, leisure pursuits and infrastructure are encouraged but must be sensitively managed to ensure that sites are protected from damaging changes. The involvement of stakeholders (ranging from conservation experts to landowners, residents, businesses, local councils, community and environmental groups, etc.) in the management planning process is necessary to ensure that the management plans are appropriate to each site and can be successfully implemented. It is considered a key element in the gathering of data about each of the Natura 2000 sites. Another important element is to inform and educate the public and all stakeholders, about the Maltese Natura 2000 sites.
