MT MIC-MT-MS PresBioIntroNIS Target1 Efforts are undertaken to detect the occurrence of new NIS in defined assessment areas and to address gaps in knowledge on non-indigenous species, particularly invasive NIS. D2 D2C2 201812 N/A Target1 HabBenLitSed Target10 Efforts are undertaken, through implementation of conservation measures or existing permitting and licensing procedures, to ensure maintenance of the distributional range and extent of selected habitat types in selected areas. 1.4 1.4.1 D1 D6C1 D6C2 D6C4 202012 N/A Target10 HabBenLitRock Target11 Species composition and/or abundance associated with selected marine habitats is stable over a period of time (to be identified) or is indicative of good status, based on definition of status through the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. D1 D1C6 D6C5 202012 N/A Target11 Target12 Health status of seagrass meadows is maintained D1 D1C6 D6C5 202012 N/A Target12 HabBenLitRock Target13 Benthic habitats affected by currently regulated anthropogenic activities show signs of recovery. D6/D1 D6C1 D6C2 D6C3 202512 N/A Target13 PresPhyDisturbSeabed Target14 Maintaining and enforcing regulations governing Fishing activities within the Fisheries Management Zone D6/D1 D6C1 D6C2 D6C3 202012 N/A Target14 HabBenBathyalUpRock Target15 Localised or sensitive marine habitats are afforded legal protection by 2025 D6/D1 D6C1 D6C2 D6C3 202512 N/A Target15 OrganicCarbon Target16 Long-term data on nutrient levels in the marine environment, or on direct or indirect effects of nutrient enrichment (as relevant), in relation to the main sources of nutrient input, is indicative of the effectiveness of existing mechanisms addressing nutrient input in the marine environment. 5.2 5.3 D5 D5C1 D5C2 D5C3 D5C4 D5C6 202012 N/A Target16 PresPhyHydroCond Target17 Changes in hydrographical conditions from large-scale development proposals are adequately assessed through existing permitting and licensing procedures in line with the parameters stipulated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive D7 D7C1 D7C2 202012 N/A Target17 PresInputLitter Target18 Efforts are undertaken to improve current level of knowledge on marine litter in Malta. D10 D10C1 D10C2 D10C3 D10C4 201812 N/A Target18 PresInputSound Target19 To work towards building capacity in the field of underwater noise through inter alia knowledge gain on key species groups which may be adversely affected by this pressure and streamlining of MSFD requirements in terms of underwater noise in licensing and permitting procedures. D11 D11C1 D11C2 201812 N/A Target19 PresBioIntroNIS Target2 Evaluate effectiveness of current measures in relation to non-indigenous species, in the light of increasing knowledge on such species through proposed interim MSFD target to address current knowledge gaps, and take such measures further if necessary. D2 D2C2 N/A Target2 PresInputCont Target20 Long-term monitoring of selected contaminants is indicative of acceptable levels of contaminants, with no deterioration trends for non-synthetic and synthetic contaminants in relevant matrices. D8 D8C1 NotRelevant 202012 N/A Target20 PresInputCont Target21 Achieve better understanding of sea-based sources of pollution, through a risk assessment of potential contributions of maritime sectors to contamination in the marine environment, also taking into consideration current measures pursuant to international maritime policies and agreements. D8 D8C1 201812 N/A Target21 PresInputCont Target22 Setting up a system for collecting, recording and reporting information on significant pollution incidents in line with the requirements of the MSFD, with a view to better understand significance and trends, and to inform any necessary response (strategic as well as incident-related). D8 D8C2 D8C3 D8C4 201812 N/A Target22 MamCetacDeepDiving MamCetacSmall Target23 To strengthen knowledge on the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus Delphinus delphis and Stenella coeruleoalba in Malta, and on interactions of these species with human activities, with a view to contribute to the regional conservation of marine mammals in the long-term. D1 D1C6 D6C5 201812 N/A Target23 RepTurtles Target24 To ensure systematic collection of records of turtle by-catch by the Maltese registered fishing fleet and of data on mortality rate of landed turtles. D1 D1C2 201812 N/A Target24 PresBioExtractSpp Target25 Management and monitoring of fishing activities result in a sustainable fishing effort over time, in line with the measures put forward in Malta’s Fisheries Management Plans, with a view to ensure sustainability of the stocks targeted by Maltese fisheries. 3.3.2 D3 D3C1 D3C3 202012 N/A Target25 PresBioExtractSpp Target26 To ensure better use of fishery independent data in analysis of fish populations. 3.3.2 D3 D3C3 201812 N/A Target26 FishDemersalShelf Target27 Species composition and/or abundance of demersal fish and demersal elasmobranchs associated with shelf and upper bathyal sublittoral sediments is stable over a period of time. D1 D1C6 D6C5 202012 N/A Target27 HabPelagAll Target3 To strengthen knowledge via updated data on key characteristics of the water column, including plankton communities, that would enable Malta to further develop definition of this habitat type in line with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. 1.4 1.4.1 D1 201812 N/A Target3 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target4 Efforts are undertaken to control the population of the yellow-legged gull on the islet of Filfa D1 D1C2 D1C3 202512 N/A Target4 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target5 Efforts are undertaken to reduce current levels of pressures originating from light pollution and predation by rats in areas to be selected D1 D1C2 D1C3 202512 N/A Target5 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target6 Marine SPAs are designated within the framework of the Birds Directive to include marine areas used by seabirds throughout their lifecycle D1 D1C2 D1C4 202512 N/A Target6 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target7 Efforts are undertaken, through conservation measures or existing permitting and licensing procedures, to ensure that the distributional range of breeding sites of Puffinus yelkouan, Calonectris diomedea and Hydrobates pelagicus is stable, with no loss of breeding sites due to anthropogenic disturbance. D1 D1C4 202012 N/A Target7 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target8 Population abundance of breeding seabirds is stable over a period of twelve years, taking into consideration the natural variability of the species population and their ecology D1 D1C2 202512 N/A Target8 BirdsPelagicFeeding Target9 Long-line fisheries are adequately using mitigation measures aimed at reducing seabird by-catch D1 D1C2 D1C3 202512 N/A Target9