Real science and real dedication are fundamental aspects of conservation research.
The health of Malta’s marine ecosystems is of the utmost significance... it is under threat and needs our protection- Marianne Teoh
As a biology student at Imperial College in London, I am passionate about the natural world we live in and have been on the search for a grassroots organisation both committed to and effective in environmental protection. I have found it: it is the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) in Malta.
The azure Mediterranean waters surrounding Malta provide food, energy, wealth and enjoyment for us all. However, this carries with it a great responsibility – Malta’s natural heritage needs protection.
Our environment is fragile; effective sustainable development and conservation is essential to secure a profitable and enjoyable life for us and for future generations. We cannot sit back and allow persistent environmental decline to take place. The extraordinary reality is that we can all make a difference.
BICREF promotes the safeguarding of Malta’s natural heritage through responsible actions. Overfishing, pollution, climate change and unsustainable development are critical threats to marine life in Malta. The continuing decline of fish stocks, biodiversity and water quality are ultimately detrimental to the Maltese population, negatively affecting tourism as well as the economy.
BICREF assists and undertakes accurate and detailed conservation monitoring, which is essential to ensure preservation of habitat vigour and species richness. The foundation co-ordinates and undertakes the research with the help of local and foreign volunteers, who willingly give up their time for no monetary gain. I have found that the work brings its own rewards in terms of skills and experience gained as well as an enlivened passion for the cause.
Importantly, BICREF keeps in close touch with environmental developments and government initiatives, for example by making its voice heard at last November’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) conference in Malta.
Representatives from all sectors met to discuss current environmental initiatives. The focal point was the EU’s SEA Directive, a process intended to provide high-level protection to the environment when plans and programmes are being prepared.
As an NGO representative, I found the aims of the SEA Directive commendable but weakly implemented. A good strategic environmental assessment provides environmental evidence and development options, engaging stakeholders and the public in decision-making process.
NGOs such as BICREF are crucial as consultants – transparency and public involvement will prevent costly mistakes and conflicts, while promoting good decision-making.
A higher level of respect between planners and the public will see the SEA Directive flourish – the public, NGOs and stakeholders need to be actively informed on what the plans and programmes encompass and how they will affect them. This consultation process needs to be done earlier to allow the public a chance to react and enough time to implement changes.
Increasing transparency and public participation will increase trust, and make development more effective and sustainable. It is also important to integrate and form explicit links with other schemes and directives such as EIA and SPED, to create national guidelines and to ensure compliance. There is considerable scope for consolidating all these schemes into one strategic framework.
The outlook is good and progress is being made; with further commitment the SEA Directive can provide proper protection to the environment.
The health of Malta’s marine ecosystems is of the utmost significanceboth aesthetically and economically –it is under threat and needs ourprotection.
If the public sector, NGOs such as BICREF, and the government work together to implement policies and directives, we will see real and effective change. There is hope and opportunity for Malta’s waters to continue to provide life-sustaining goods and services for us all free of charge.
Marine life must be preserved in its intact and complex totality and not just as an enclosed or partial aquarium for temporary profit. Being able to achieve long-term effective conservation through management needs serious considerations and implementations that prioritise resources for widespread conservation in our seas.
For more information, visit www.bicref.org or e-mail Bicref@gmail.com.