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Coastal areas are particularly sensitive to climate change. Owing to a significant increase in human activities and pressures, these areas have become particularly susceptible to extreme physical phenomena that increase the exposure and vulnerability of population. The Authorities ought to make strong efforts to: i) take the necessary measures and actions to reduce the negative impacts of the natural phenomena on the coastal areas, which are also due to the climate change; ii) investigate the factors that influence the communities' perception of natural hazards and the climate change. Indeed, in order to effectively manage the negative impacts of climate change both considerable scientific know-how and of people's perception of the risk associated to them is paramount.Within this framework, a Research Project funded under the Agreement on Scientific Cooperation between CNR and the University of Malta (UoM) was developed. The Project is organized in order to synergistically combine the various scientific researches of the two partners (CNR-IRPI and University of Malta) in the context of natural hazards, public knowledge and perception of geo-hydrological risk and climate change. Calabria (Southern Italy) and Malta, the two Mediterranean regions considered as target areas for the Project, show different geomorphological and climatic settings but, although with different exposure levels, they are both affected by extreme physical phenomena and climate change. [excerpt], peer-reviewed

In this study, we present the 3D digital model of Ramla Bay (Gozo) obtained by using photograms taken from drones. The high-resolution 3D model of Ramla Bay allowed the construction of a detailed Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Comparison of an earlier LIDAR data derived DEM (ERDF 156 Data, 2013) and the photogrammetric DEM developed in this study allowed to make preliminary observations regarding the potential evolution of the coastal area over the last 5 years. This study serves as a proof of concept to demonstrate that coastal evolution can be quantitatively analysed in terms of changes of the sand dune systems. Furthermore, the technique used in this paper represents a good compromise in terms of cost effectiveness and a valid substitute for laser scanner survey. It is also useful for monitoring the dynamics of the beach-dune system and the characterization of the coast for the mitigation of coastal erosion., peer-reviewed

The characteristics, perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of beach users at three locations: St George's Bay, Malta, Mamaia, Romania and Olu Deniz, Turkey, were determined from questionnaire surveys. Respondents comprised locals, domestic and foreign tourists. Results for these parameters had substantial agreement both across the three beaches and with previous studies. The amounts beach users were willing to pay (WTP), via the contingent valuation method and their consumer surpluses (CS), via the travel cost method were determined. The average amount beach users were willing to pay per visit, was £0.64 on St George's bay, £0.32 on Mamaia and £0.94 on Olu Deniz. The willingness to pay varied with social class, earnings, amount of beach use and between local, domestic and foreign user groups. The consumer surplus also varied for these groups as British tourists had a CS of £0.62 per visit, with domestic Turkish and Romanian users having values of £0.46 and £0.69, respectively. Diminishing marginal utility, as measured by WTP, with beach use was found in all three surveys. Charging for actual use would be acceptable for the majority of beach users. Coastal zone managers could realise significant revenues from beach users if they charge adults on a per visit basis (the favoured mode of payment) and spend the revenue on the maintenance and improvements identified by the users. Only one of the beaches (Olu Deniz, Turkey) currently has restricted access, which would facilitate such a payment method., peer-reviewed

In order to assess the impact of jellyfish blooms on the Maltese aquaculture industry, a survey, in the form of a questionnaire, was developed under the framework of the EU funded ‘MED-JELLYRISK Project’ (http://jellyrisk.eu). The survey questionnaire consisted of twenty questions, and was set up with the objective of gathering baseline data on the perception of aquaculture workers on the impacts of jellyfish blooms on local fish farms. The methodology involved the use of the ‘mixed methods approach’, where primary data was collected in both quantitative and qualitative forms in order to understand the blooms impact more thoroughly. Within such a method of research, the ‘parallel mixed design’ approach was followed, where simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data was conducted., peer-reviewed

Chapter 7, With the advent of site-specific crop management, sustainability and profitability, land farming now requires information and technology-based management system to identify, analyse and manage spatial and temporal resource variability. Th is approach is being made increasingly possible by recent innovation in information technologies such as mobile devices, geographic information systems, positioning technologies (such as Geographical Position system), and Earth Observations. Such innovation now off ers a holistic approach to micro-manage agricultural resources. (Robert et al., 1994). Basic mapping and farm-level record keeping is one of the first precision agriculture practices that must be implemented in a typical productive agriculture operation (Stombaugh et al., 2001). Typical tasks include mapping of variations that occur in largescale field features such as vegetation stress, crop rotation, inventorying, irrigation, soil drainage and erosion, pest control, etc. Th e search for a low cost methodology that takes into account the growth of information technology in data capture and surveying, data processing, database creation and geographic information systems becomes mandatory in order to respond to such needs. Th e study constitutes, for the first time in Malta, the collection of high precision farming statistics that makes use of an inexpensive system for aerial mapping that requires minimal ground truthing. Th e effectiveness of such a method for small areas was later demonstrated by Galdies and Borg (2006) related to coastal and beach management in the Maltese islands. In the current case, digital aerial remote sensing enabled the accurate mapping of agricultural variables, and coupled with ground survey data, resulted in the production of precise, high resolution agricultural crop-cover maps. Additional information can be further derived from this data that can be used for the optimisation of micro agriculture practices., peer-reviewed

Using an original rock profiling technique especially adapted to locally common smooth and irregular / deeply weathered (karstic) rocky shores, 38 base-line profiles were established at 19 rocky-shore sites to investigate surface-denudation characteristics exhibited by natural rock surfaces found on the Maltese coast. The latter were identified as being representative of actual or potential bathing platforms, thus offering a valuable alternative to otherwise scarce beach environments on the tourist rich Islands of Malta. Observations on shore surface denudation over a 3 – 5 year period were subsequently related to degree of exposure, erosion and weathering processes considered active at each site. Identification of distinct surface-denudation characteristics for sub-divisions within the Globigerina Limestone and similar surface-lowering rates for Lower Coralline Limestone and the Lower Globigerina Limestone sub-division were considered to qualify otherwise subjective interpretation of local bedrock resistance to marine erosion and weathering. The design of an innovative 'Rock Profiler', was identified as an improvement to traditional profiling techniques, allowing surface elevation measurements over both smooth and indented rock surfaces, achievements of more representative rock surface profiling over extended sample areas (with a 95 consecutive point line-transect), accurate assessments of rock surface micro-relief and of carrying out profiling independent of rock surface plane. This study provided for the first time, accurate and distinct surface-denudation rates for the main geological formations exposed on the Maltese coast, these being 1.38mm/yr for Upper Coralline Limestone, 9.16mm/yr for Middle Globigerina Limestone, 0.74mm/yr for Lower Globigerina Limestone and 0.77mm/yr for Lower Coralline Limestone., peer-reviewed

Together with two Sicilian partners, the Regional Province of Ragusa and CoP AI, a consortium dedicated to the promotion of the lblean area, ICoD carried out a range of activities aimed at identifying an appropriate beach management strategy for the sustainable use of beaches in both Sicily and Malta. Key among these activities was an extensive programme of fieldwork. during which an innovative system for beach quality evaluation and management. the BARE technique developed by Dr Anton Mlcallef, ICoD, University of Malta and Prof Allan T Willlams, University of Wales was applied at selected bathing areas in both locations. This publication presents the results of applying the BARE (Bathing Area Registration and Evaluation) technique to 25 beaches in total - 19 In Sicily and 6 In the Maltese Islands. By Including examples from a wide range of different types of beach, from resorts to remote beaches, this book Is intended to serve as a guide for the whole spectrum of different beach users, ranging from families with young children who might be looking for an easily accessible beach having a range of facilities to nature lovers who are prepared to hike considerable distances to reach an isolated beach with few or no facilities but enjoying serene and unspoilt surroundings., peer-reviewed

This article talks about the bi-annual conferences ICoD organizes to address the management of coastal recreational resources (MCRR). The conferences focus on selected aspects of coastal management, namely those related to recreational amenities represented by beaches, yacht marinas, and eco-tourism., N/A

The coastal zone contains some of the most productive and economically valuable habitats of the biosphere. It has important, but very fragile ecosystems with high species diversity and intense biological activity. Additionally, they offer very important socio-economic benefits in terms of cultural values (e.g. historic, religious, or recreational sites)., In spite of the present awareness of this fragility, the Maltese socio-economic system is still burdening the coastal zone with non-sustainable economic development. The local approach towards coastal management is uneven, ill-defined and deficient in its decision-making. By and-large, it has been allowed to evolve within the framework of existing administrative structures and is being executed by several agencies or departments acting under a wide-ranging, and mostly non-specific legislation. Moreover, public awareness is still poorly developed and is not yet filling the current deficient policy and procedural vacuum., peer-reviewed

On 10th September 1990 the Government of Malta deposited instruments of ratification with the United Nations Secretary General for four multilateral treaties concerned with the international protection of human rights. These are: The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (hereafter referred to as Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Covenant); The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (hereafter referred to as International Covenant); The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (hereafter referred to as Optional Protocol), all three adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, and the Convention Against Torture. and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degra ding Treatment or Punishment (hereafter ref erred to as the UN Convention on Torture) adopted by the General Assembly in 1984. All four treaties serve one common purpose: the protection of fundamental human rights and liberties through international legal regulation. But each instrument engenders a separate series of obligations for States in international law and the effect of the implementation of these undertakings by Malta, as a State Party, on our laws will be varied and revolutionary. The present outline is offered as a succinct record of the principal features incorporated in these instruments and of the contribution made by these texts to the formation of an ever developing com prehensive regime concerning international human rights protection that will become operative under our law., peer-reviewed

7 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, supplemental material https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2016.11.005, In recent years, negative impacts of jellyfish blooms (JB) on marine human activities have been increasingly reported. Aquaculture has been affected by jellyfish outbreaks, mostly documented through repeated episodes of farmed salmon mortalities in Northern Europe; however, the valuation of JB consequences on the aquaculture sector still remains poorly quantified. This study aims to provide the first quantitative evaluation effects of JB on finfish aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea and to investigate the general awareness of JB impacts among Mediterranean aquaculture professional workers. The aquaculture workers' perception about JB was assessed through a structured interview-based survey administered across 21 aquaculture facilities in central and western Mediterranean. The workers' awareness about JB impacts on aquaculture differed among countries. Italian and Spanish fish farmers were better informed about jellyfish proliferations and, together with Tunisian farmers, they all recognized the wide potential consequences of JB on sea bream and sea bass aquaculture. On the contrary, the majority of Maltese respondents considered JB as a non-significant threat to their activity, mostly based on off-shore tuna farming. This study for the first time shows that JB may negatively affect different Mediterranean aquaculture facilities from Tunisia (Sicily Channel) and Spain (Alboran Sea), by increasing farmed fish gill disorders and mortality, clogging net cages, or inflicting painful stings to field operators, with severe economic consequences. Available knowledge calls for the development of coordinated preventive plans, adaptation policies, and mitigation countermeasures across European countries in order to address the JB phenomenon and its impacts on coastal water activities, This work has received funding from the European Union's projects MED-JELLYRISK (grant n. I-A/1.3/098 - ENPI CBCMED programme), VECTORS (Vectors of Change in Oceans and Seas Marine Life, Impact on Economic Sectors, grant n. 266445, FP7th programme), and CERES (Climate Change and European Aquatic Resources, grant n. 678193, Horizon 2020 programme)

We present the first detailed survey of tidal notches in the central Mediterranean area, in particular along the coastline of Gozo and Comino (Malta). The Maltese Islands represent one of the few sites in the Sicily Channel which exhibits coastal carbonate rocks. Marine notches on the islands of Gozo and Comino were surveyed by means of a seven day continuous snorkeling survey around the entire perimeter of the two islands. We surveyed the occurrence, lack and typology of marine notches and we correlated them with late Holocene sea level changes. Sea temperature (T) and electrical conductivity (EC) were collected along the route in order to locate the submarine springs and to relate them to the surveyed notches.A well-carved continuous roof notch was discovered along most of the plunging cliffs. It is well-carved out, in particular along the northern and western coast of Gozo. It develops from about 0.2 m above the mean sea level down and it can be up to 1.5–2 m deep. On the contrary, tidal notches are localised only in 8 sites. In 2 sites, Vermetid trottoirs develop at low tide level. In addition, at about −7 m to −10 m m.s.l., a 2–5 m wide marine terrace develops along extensive tracts of plunging cliffs, always in correspondence with the roof notches. This submerged terrace seem to be the result of the late Holocene slowdown of the sea level rise, which started to smooth the terrace and to carve out the submerged part of the roof notch, thanks to the exposed location of the islands and the favourable lithology.Through the collection of hydrological data, the presence of 21 submarine springs were detected. They occur mainly in the south-western coast of Gozo and on eastern coast of Comino. Anyway, marine notches seem not to be related to the freshwater outflow, such as those in the Adriatic Sea, because the studied islands are very exposed. As a consequence, along the Maltese islands bioerosion seems to be the most effective process in notch development., peer-reviewed