Legally protect 30% of Maltese land and 30% of the Maltese Fisheries Management Zone
Strategic Goal 1: Transitioning Towards a Climate-Neutral Green & Blue Economy
Percentage of legally protected Maltese land area
| Category | Area | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29.12 | — |
| 2024 | 29.18 | — |
| 2030 | — | 30 |
When considering land area, the Maltese Islands have 29.12% (92km2) of their area covered by the below designated areas, with a number of these areas being covered by more than one designation. In 2018, following the conclusion of the LIFE BAĦAR project, an additional eight Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were designated, three inshore and five offshore areas. The three new inshore areas are extensions to the area covered by existing coastal MPAs. Two of the offshore areas are new sites, while the other three are extensions of the existing MPAs, previously declared in 2016. These further enhance the ecological network of MPAs, today covering a total of 35.5% (4,138km2) of Maltese waters.
Designated Areas:- Area of Special Conservation Interest (ASCI) – Council of Europe Bern Convention – Part of the Emerald network; Bird sanctuary – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Nature reserve Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Ramsar site – UN Ramsar Convention; Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – International Importance – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) – Part of the Natura 2000 network under the EC Habitats Directive; Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – National Importance Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Special Area of Geological Importance – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Special Protection Area (SPA) – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) – Part of the Natura 2000 network under the EC Birds Directive; Specially Protected Area; UN Barcelona Convention – Part of Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas; Tree Protection Area – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) – Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Source: Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)
Last Updated: March 5, 2026
Percentage of legally protected Maltese Fisheries Management Zone
| Category | Area | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 35.5 | — |
| 2030 | — | 30 |
When considering land area, the Maltese Islands have 29.12% (92km2) of their area covered by the below designated areas, with a number of these areas being covered by more than one designation. In 2018, following the conclusion of the LIFE BAĦAR project, an additional eight Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were designated, three inshore and five offshore areas. The three new inshore areas are extensions to the area covered by existing coastal MPAs. Two of the offshore areas are new sites, while the other three are extensions of the existing MPAs, previously declared in 2016. These further enhance the ecological network of MPAs, today covering a total of 35.5% (4,138km2) of Maltese waters.
Designated Areas:- Area of Special Conservation Interest (ASCI) – Council of Europe Bern Convention – Part of the Emerald network; Bird sanctuary – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Nature reserve Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Ramsar site – UN Ramsar Convention; Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – International Importance – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) – Part of the Natura 2000 network under the EC Habitats Directive; Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – National Importance Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Special Area of Geological Importance – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Special Protection Area (SPA) – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) – Part of the Natura 2000 network under the EC Birds Directive; Specially Protected Area; UN Barcelona Convention – Part of Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas; Tree Protection Area – Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549); Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) – Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
Source: Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)
Last Updated: March 5, 2026