A project has been launched to conserve the Maltese killifish (Aphanius fasciatus – bużaqq), a small fish endemic to the Mediterranean. It is found mainly along the central to the eastern coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and around islands like as Sicily, Corsica and Malta.
Ray Caruana from the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre said that up to a few years ago, the killifish was found in Il-Magħluq, Marsascala and Il-Ballut, Marsaxlokk. But anthropogenic activity has led to a heavy decline in the stocks at both sites, with the population at Il-Magħluq being wiped out.
In the 1990s, Nature Trust Malta volunteers took a small population from Il-Ballut and succeeded to restart the population at Il-Magħluq. But conditions at Il-Ballut did not improve and the Marsaxlokk population faces extinction. The habitat of Il-Magħluq is also poor with many negative pressures, including dumping and pollution, which has led to the decline in numbers of the killifish in this area too.
Nature Trust Malta executive president Vincent Attard said genetic tests have shown that the local Maltese killifish population is unique. But it is endangered and in urgent need of proper management by competent institutions to prevent the degradation of its habitat that is negatively affecting the species.
The project aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of preserving the species and its habitat. It includes captive-breeding programmes and securing a viable population in captivity as well as the effective and sustainable management of the Natura 2000 site at Il-Magħluq.
The project was launched by Nature Trust Malta and the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with the support of Bank of Valletta, the Environment Ministry and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. For details visit the Killifish Conservation Project Malta Facebook page.