The largest ever conservation project on the island, costing almost €1 million, was launched yesterday to secure the future of Yelkouan Shearwaters that breed at Rdum tal-Madonna in Mellieha. The project brings together the EU, four government authorities, local and international conservation NGOs and the private sector.

The Yelkouan Shearwater Project (Progett Garnija), launched by BirdLife Malta, aims to protect their habitat on land and sea as well as improve the site for wildlife and visitors. It will also put the island on the international map for sea bird research.

Malta hosts 1,500 pairs of Yelkouan Shearwaters - a chunky 10 per cent of the world's population - which fly to the island to breed every year, said project manager Helen Raine. The site is, in fact, home to one third of these birds.

The project aims to ensure that Rdum tal-Madonna is protected for them and for the Maltese and tourists to enjoy, she said, adding that it would set an example for similar projects in Malta and other Mediterranean countries.

Rdum tal-Madonna has been designated as a Special Protection Area for birds, including Yelkouan Shearwater, which means the population of birds is important at a European level and that it is protected from damaging activities as part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It is also a Special Area of Conservation because it supports vulnerable plant and animal communities.

Among the many threats that have caused this bird population to decline are rats, which are attracted by rubbish from picnics; long-line fishing; noise and light pollution; human disturbance in the form of hunting and egg collecting; and dumping, Ms Raine listed.

Rat eradication is already under way, while other action is being planned to remove or minimise the other threats, she said.

Camping, for example, which generates noise, vegetation damage and rubbish that attracts rats, is being phased out. The project also aims to monitor the birds by satellite.

The Yelkouan Shearwaters arrive here in October to occupy traditional nest sites, and the female lays one egg from the last week of February, explained John J. Borg, the curator of natural history at Heritage Malta, who has studied the Shearwaters for almost 30 years.

Recently, the Maltese colonies have been decreasing, with several becoming extinct.

BirdLife, the beneficiary of the project, last year secured funds from the EU Life Nature Programme that will cover half of the project cost, said its president Joseph Mangion.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi laid stress on the importance of networking in this project and the uniting of various bodies, which was a rarity in this country. Due to its small size, and despite the fact that everyone knew everyone, there was often unnecessary competition between those who, ultimately, had the same goals.

This initiative was "breaking the mould, so to speak", he said.

"Whatever you do, you need funds," Dr Gonzi insisted, thanking the EU for its 50 per cent contribution, as well as the financial assistance from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and HSBC.

The project was an example of partnership between the government, NGOs and the private sector. The parties involved included the army, which was taking on a new dimension, Heritage Malta, the Maritime Authority, the Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences, and BirdLife International partners RSPB in the UK and SPEA in Portugal.

Prior to a reception at the Red Tower in Mellieha, the Prime Minister visited the project site at L-Ahrax Point, together with Environment Minister George Pullicino, to learn more about the conservation work that aims to improve the quality of the island's natural environment.

Visitors can book a free guided walk with a site warden by calling 2134 7644.

www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt