The Foundation for International Studies (FIS) will offer an array of short courses for the upcoming academic year, starting with the short course "Aspects of the coastal and marine environment" (September 4-29)

This will give participants the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the local coastal and marine environment, and to participate in an on-site field exercise aimed at contextualising theoretical aspects. The course co-ordinators are Dr Alan Deidun and Dr Anton Micallef, who both hold a Ph.D in biology or morphodynamics and management of beach resources.

Course content will cover issues such as the definition of coast and principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management. In theory, this will amplify the coast dynamic transition zone from the terrestrial to the marine world.

Such a zone also experiences an intriguing interplay between sea and wind, which jointly drench it with wafts of sea spray.

Despite their small size, the coastline of the Maltese islands is over 200 km long, most of which is directly inaccessible from the sea, with this isolated, ensconced situation shielding it from detrimental anthropogenic activities to the benefit of the numerous endemic species, which call the coast their home. The same species possess an intriguing repertoire of adaptations to overcome the harsh coastal environmental constraints.

An overview of the Mediterranean coast is a coveted living and recreational area, with almost 200 million people living within a narrow strip of land. UNEP estimates that the number of tourists visiting the area (already comprising 30 per cent of the world's total) will double by 2050.

Locally, waters which are less than 100 m deep, extend for an area that is 10 times the terrestrial area, and nurtures captivating assemblages, which range from the well-lit photic zone down into the obscure depths of the circalittoral or a submerged cave.

Despite this, five per cent of our islands' one-kilometre coastal buffer zone has been developed between 1990 and 2004, although a number of ecologically important coastal and marine sites have been designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Awareness of the multitude of life found beneath our waves is a priceless tool to bolster public appreciation of these fragile ecosystems.

This course is being introduced at a special fee of Lm35, covering lectures and field visit and the issuing of certificates of attendance for those who qualify. Information about this course and others can be obtained from FIS, St Paul Street, Valletta (tel: 2123-4571, 2123-4121; fax: 2123-0551) or by e-mail: cynthia.amato@fis.org.mt.

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