A marine protected area in the making

What is the vision for the Rdum Majjiesa to Ras ir-Raheb marine protected area (MPA) in the northwest part of Malta?

The vision for this MPA, which gives a picture of what is desired for this area found in the limits of Mgarr and Mellieha is to have an area where the existing coastal and marine biodiversity and natural surroundings can be appreciated to their fullest; to allow degraded coastal, marine habitats and ecosystems to recover through the reduction of threats and impacts; and to enable sustainable activities that will contribute to the conservation of the area's natural resources and provide added value to economy, education and social well-being.

What is a marine protected area?

A marine protected area is a defined marine area, which together with its fauna, flora, historical and cultural features is protected through legislation. An MPA may also include the immediate coastal environment.

Establishing MPAs is one way of protecting the marine environment through sustainable resource management.

The area between Rdum Majjiesa and Ras ir-Raheb has been declared as an MPA due to the representativity of the main Maltese marine habitats that are found within the site and the presence of a number of important marine species.