The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) announced on Wednesday that the Mediterranean killifish (Bużaqq) and the Maltese freshwater crab (Qabru) have been declared national fish and invertebrate respectively.

The blue rock thrush (merill) and rock centaury (widnet il-baħar) have long been Malta’s national bird and plant, alongside the sandarac gum tree (siġra tal-għargħar), the national tree.

All five national species, which were previously not backed up by any legal provision, are now protected under the new Species Protection Regulations which came into force in January.

The regulations provide for conservation, surveillance and monitoring measures and introduce harsh penalties for contraventions, a maximum of €5,000 per specimen.

They also lay out criteria for other species to be added to the list in future to serve as “ambassadors” for conservation efforts.

The new National Species

Mediterranean killifish (Bużaqq)

A small, endangered fish found throughout the Mediterranean coast including the saline marshlands in Malta. It is the only true brackish-water fish in the Maltese islands. The species feeds on small invertebrates and aquatic plants. It is legally protected.

Maltese freshwater crab (Qabru)

Only found in the Maltese islands and therefore endemic. It lives in burrows in areas where there is water all year round and its habitat is therefore very restricted.

It has become very rare due to loss of habitat and illegal killing and capture. It is protected through the Environment Protection Act.