Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe

Status

Malta submitted an official Report on the Implementation of the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council Concerning the Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe to the European Commission on 27 March 2006.

Malta's ICZM Strategy is embodied in the Coastal Strategy Topic Paper prepared by MEPA as part of the Structure Plan Review. The Strategy was formulated as part of the revision of the Replacement Structure Plan and was prepared prior to Malta's accession to EU membership and hence prior to the adoption of the EU ICZM Recommendation. Being part of the Replacement Structure Plan Review process (one of several Topic Papers), the Strategy is very well integrated with the spatial planning policy and process adopted in Malta.

This approach ensures linkages between the ICZM strategy and terrestrial and maritime spatial planning, both of which are addressed in the Topic Paper. The latter also calls for better integration and a more holistic approach in planning policies. Nonetheless, since the Strategy is essentially a spatial planning tool, it does not address (or does so only indirectly) aspects such as regional development, education, employment, and resource management.

Malta's ICZM process has commenced and is proceeding well in many respects.

Reporting Institution

Malta Environment and Planning Authority - coastal planning
Floriana

The preparation of the Replacement Structure Plan (within which the aims and objectives of the Coastal Strategy are being incorporated) falls within the responsibility of the Planning Directorate within MEPA.

ICZM is the remit of a number of agencies, though its close linkage with spatial and regional development planning places the Malta Environment & Planning Authority in the lead role. This ensures that ICZM issues are considered in development planning mechanisms.

National Contact

Ms. Michelle Borg
Team Manager, Resources Management Unit, MEPA
Contact: Michelle.Borg@mepa.org.mt

National Reporting to the EU ICZM Recommendation

Report on the Implementation of the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council Concerning the Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe (2002/413/EC) February 2006 (37 pages, English)
Awaiting approval to upload to this public website.

Stocktake and Supporting Documents

Coastal Strategy Topic Paper (2002), including public consultation documents (123 pages, English) is considered to be the comprehensive stock take for the coast.
http://www.mepa.org.mt/index.htm?spr/topics_coastal.htm&1
Coastal Strategy Topic Paper_ExecSum, December 2001
Coastal Strategy Topic Paper_Final Draft, February 2002
Coastal_Strategy_Public_Consultation_Comments, February 2002
CoastalTP_Appendixes

Link to documents on wider process for preparation of the Replacement Structure Plan
http://www.mepa.org.mt/index.htm?spr/Review_proc.htm&1

State of the Environment Report 2005
http://www.mepa.org.mt/Environment/index.htm?SOER/mainframe.htm&1

Further Information

Website of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority
http://www.mepa.org.mt
http://www.mepa.org.mt/Environment/index.htm?SOER/mainframe.htm&1