Half of Maltese waters are internationally important for seabirds, a study by BirdLife Malta has found.

The newly identified Im-portant Bird Area sites in Maltese waters are now being considered for declaration as Marine Special Protection Areas by the government, BirdLife said.

The findings were presented yesterday in Gozo.

Once designated, these sites will be afforded legal protection for the wildlife they sustain, in the same way that nature reserves are protected on land.

Seabirds are the most endangered group of birds in the world, and the Maltese islands hold one in 10 of the world’s yelkouan shearwaters, three per cent of the world’s Scopoli’s shearwaters and half of the Mediterranean’s storm petrels.

Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta’s conservation manager, pointed out that creating IBA sites did not mean an end to fishing, shipping or other activities in these areas.

“BirdLife and the government will be now working closely to identify which areas may be designated as Natura 2000, in full consideration of the different uses Malta makes of its sea habitat, with the aim of protecting seabirds and ensuring activities are carried out sustainably for people and for wildlife.”