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    NL-0017-2024

    Intent and Objectives: Extension of the Action Plan for the management of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern to include five additional species


    Magħluqa

    ​Ministry:

    		 Ministeru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u r-Riġenerazzjoni tal-Port Il-Kbir
    ​Entity:

    		 Awtorità għall-Ambjent u r-Riżorsi

    ​Published:

    		 18/06/2024
    ​Running Till:

    		 16/07/2024
    ​Last Updated:

    		 18/08/2024



    1. Background

    ERA issued the intent and objectives for the publication of an Action Plan for the management of four IAS of Union Concern in April 2024. In terms of Article 51 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), it is duly notified that ERA intends to extend the remit of this Action Plan to also include the management of five additional invasive alien species (IAS) of Union Concern.

    The EU IAS Regulations (Regulation (EU) 1143/2014) sets out provisions for the prevention, reduction and mitigation of the adverse effects caused by IAS of Union Concern. In this regard, Member States are required to have adequate measures in place for the control of those IAS of Union Concern that are widely spread within their territories. In line with the provisions of Article 19 and 26 of the EU IAS Regulations, ERA shall be drafting an Action Plan to spearhead the undertaking of measures for the management of nine IAS of Union Concern, including the following additional IAS:
     
    • Pacifastacus leniusculus (ENG: Signal Crayfish, iċ-ċkala tal-ilma ħelu);
    • Procambarus clarkii (ENG: Red-swamp Crayfish, iċ-ċkala tal-ilma ħelu);
    • Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (ENG: Marbled Crayfish, iċ-ċkala tal-ilma ħelu);
    • Gambusia affinis (ENG: Western Mosquitofish, MLT: il-gambużja); and;
    • Gambusia holbrooki (ENG: Eastern Mosquitofish, MLT: il-gambużja).
     
    2. Consultation

    Intent and Objectives
    The main intent of the Action Plan is to have effective management measures in place for the control of IAS of Union concern that are widely spread within the Maltese Islands (including the species highlighted above), so that their impact on biodiversity and the related ecosystem services are minimised. Such measures principally aim to reduce or contain the populations of the concerned invasive species.

    In this regard, the Action Plan shall aim to achieve a number of objectives, including the following:
     
    • the removal, control or containment of populations of IAS of Union Concern which are widely spread within the Maltese Islands;
    • to promote and enhance collaboration between relevant stakeholders;
    • to address knowledge gaps through the enhancement of the current surveillance and monitoring system for the detection of IAS of Union Concern;
    • to increase communication, education and public awareness on IAS and the threats they pose; and
    • to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures undertaken to reach the objectives of the concerned Action Plan.

    Key questions
    ERA invites the public to submit any feedback on the intent and objectives of extending  the Action Plan to also cover five invasive alien animals of Union Concern. The following consultation questions are presented to guide such feedback:
     
    1. Do you agree with the proposed intent and objectives of the Action Plan?
    2. Can the objectives be further refined, keeping in mind the intent of this Action Plan?
    3. Should there be additional objectives not identified above?
    4. Which objectives and actions would you consider as priorities noting the subject matter and the species in question?
    5. How would you assist in the implementation of such an Action Plan?
    6. Do you have any further feedback or comments on the intent or objectives of this Action Plan?
     
     
    3. Submission of feedback

    Comments are being invited through the below feedback form by 16 July 2024.


    4. Further notes

    Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

    All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

    The draft Action Plan for the management of nine invasive alien species of Union concern will be available for public consultation in due course.

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