The Aquaculture Directorate gives priority to the protection and conservation of protected
species and is involved in a number of projects with Nature Trust Malta and ERA.
Turtle Rehabilitation Unit
A number of injured turtles are generally brought to the Aquaculture
Directorate by members of The Marine Rescue Team (Nature Trust Malta - NTM) or even
fishermen themselves. These turtles are housed at the directorate within the
Turtle Rehabilitation Unit, where they are assessed by a Vet and receive the
necessary treatment from NTM staff. After rehabilitation, the directorate in
conjunction with the Nature Protection Unit of the Environment and Resources Authority
release the turtles back to their natural environment from a sandy beach. The
released turtles are tagged so that useful information on their growth and
migration patterns could be obtained in the event of recapture.
The Killifish Conservation Project
The Killifish Conservation Project is a collaborative project between
the Aquaculture Directorate, Nature Trust (Malta) and ERA, and aims at
the conservation of the endangered species of killifish Aphanius fasciatus (Nardo), known in Maltese as “Bużaqq”.
The project’s main objectives are to raise awareness and educate the
public on the need to preserve the species and its habitat; to manage the
Natura 2000 site at il-Magħluq tal-baħar at Marsascala effectively and in a
sustainable way where one of the endangered populations is found; to secure a
viable population in captivity and to carry out controlled captive-breeding
programmes aimed at preserving the genetic stocks of Aphanius fasciatus in Malta.