Scientists from several countries, including Malta, will research underwater caves, sand banks and reefs to provide the Maltese government with enough data to identify new sites of community importance.

The initiative falls under Natura 2000, a network that gathers together areas of high ecological importance in the European Union.

Oceana, the largest international advocacy organisation focused on ocean conservation, launched its second expedition to document previously unexplored marine areas in Malta. The expedition forms part of the LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project.

This year, improvements to technical equipment have been incorporated to enhance the performance of the campaign team’s work.

Such improvements, including the use of underwater scooters, will now allow divers to move faster and spend more time documenting secluded caves.

Additionally, a boat equipped with a multi-beam sonar will work in parallel to survey the underwater terrain. The sonar will also serve as a vital tool for scientists to be more precise when choosing research spots and will help increase the efficiency of Oceana’s Remotely Operated Robot, which is able to reach 1,000 metres deep.

Both expeditions will sum up a total of 120 days of intense work at sea on board Oceana’s research catamaran, the Ranger. In 2015, the field work lasted 52 days and included 106 dives by the ROV and divers.

The images gathered are still being analysed and, together with this year’s findings, will serve as the groundwork for the creation of marine protected areas.

LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project is co-financed by the EU LIFE+ Funding Programme and led by the Environment and Resources Authority in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the University of Malta and Oceana.