The 'phenomenal' volume of traffic is one of the main contributors to the alarming levels of air pollution in Malta, according to a report commissioned by the Environment Protection Directorate.

The report concluded that airborne fine dust levels are above what is considered safe.

It also warned of the harmful emissions produced by the Marsa power station.

Among others, it criticised the fact that no marine protected areas have yet been set up and warns that fish stocks in the surrounding seas are declining.

The 581-page 'State of the environment report for Malta 2002' compiles and evaluates technical information about the environment.

Yesterday's was the second report on the topic. The first one was published in 1998.

It provides a snapshot of environmental aspects such as water, air and soil and identifies the areas of concern.

It also assesses trends in the overall quality of the environment and reviews the response measures in place to protect it.

Speaking during the launch of the report at the SAS Radisson, report coordinator Victor Axiaq said many of the environmental problems were the result of mismanagement of resources, which itself may be blamed on people's lifestyles.

The report gives a detailed account of the traffic situation in Malta, and the ever increasing number of cars in use. It welcomes the phasing out of leaded petrol by the end of this year.

Another positive aspect is that significant progress in data availability on air quality has been reported since the last report, which would lead to better remedial action.

The report has found that Malta complies fully with the Montreal Protocol obligations with respect to global effects of air pollution.

But even though emissions of sulphur dioxide between 1998 and 2001 decreased somewhat, in future such emissions from stationary sources will need to be further reduced if Malta is to abide by its international obligations.

For example, the impact on human health of sulphur pollutant at Marsa warrants the installation of a permanent monitor and a prompt alerting system to safeguard people, the report said.

Nitrogen dioxide, a highly irritant gas derived from exhaust emissions, was found to be present in Floriana at levels that exceed health limits.

The highest levels are formed in urban air during the morning rush hour, the report said.

"In Malta, benzene pollution could be among the worst in Europe. Benzene and other volatile organic compounds emitted from car exhausts can be stopped by the installation of catalytic converters and these devices should be made mandatory," the report recommended.

With respect to energy, the most evident impact from the Marsa power station is the almost chronic emission of particulate matter with its subsequent atmospheric fallout on neighbouring residential areas. On some occasions, the smoke plume is actually deflected downwards.

Improvements were reported following the refurbishment of its electrostatic precipitators.

Other trends that have been recorded in the report include the continuing loss of agricultural land, though at a decreased rate, development in the countryside, and the chronic and illegal dumping of waste in certain areas.

On a positive front, the report lists the improved management of important natural and historic sites.

The report indicates that biodiversity is still poorly understood and underprotected. There are too few nature reserves or protected areas and these require improved and more coordinated management.

"The exploitation of a number of wildlife species and communities have continued, mainly through hunting, trapping and fishing," the report says.

Local fisheries are still considerably affected by a decrease in the catches, indicating that fish stocks are under considerable pressure.

Using a 'catch per unit effort' indicator, there is evidence suggesting a downward trend in sustainability from the early '60s to date.

A new Fisheries Conservation and Management Act 2001, however, provided a good legislative basis for managing the island's fisheries resource, the report noted.

While the long-term effects of tuna penning on the environment have yet to be determined, there is evidence to suggest that the area beneath the tuna pens off Sikka l-Bajda has been degraded through excessive nutrient and organic loadings - due to the absence of good management practice and of careful control of feeding.

The report reviews the environmental impact of agriculture and concludes that the challenge of mitigating these impacts is "not to abandon agriculture to its own extinction", but to turn Malta's farmers into stewards of the land.

As would be expected, the locality of Xghajra, where Malta's major sewage outfall is located, ranks first in terms of exposure to bacteriological pollution. This is followed by Sliema, and the St Paul's Bay to Qawra area.

The report also shows that while no major oil spill has ever reached our coastline, the central Mediterranean is an area with relatively high maritime traffic and the associated risks of incidents are evidently high.

Prof. Axiaq said that on one particular day while the report was being drawn up, no fewer than four oil spills around Malta were registered.

The report concluded that during the past four years, significant developments in legislation and policy definition had taken place and a number of institutions and government bodies had been set up to tackle certain issues.

The parliamentary secretary for the environment, George Pullicino, said the government intended to use the report as a tool to manage the environment.

Mr Pullicino said that Malta had to implement certain procedures to adopt the European Union's excellent environmental standards.

Speaking about the worrying air pollution levels, Mr Pullicino said it was not only the authorities which had a part to play, but also the public.

He said it was about time the public started considering making less use of their private cars.

Furthermore, it was also worth noting that the government recently issued a tender for a second air monitoring station.

The report will be available on-line and from the Environment and Home Affairs Ministry.

Mr Pullicino left Malta in the afternoon to join the Maltese delegation in Johannesburg.