CONNECT Project Charts A New Course For Malta’s Marine Data System

Malta is taking a significant step towards a national marine data system with the CONNECT project, which aims to streamline marine observations and unlock the full potential of the country’s seas.

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, addressed the CONNECT Conference, bringing together national stakeholders, researchers, operators, and private enterprises to discuss the future of Malta’s marine data ecosystem. The event focused on establishing a coordinated national system to support monitoring, ecosystem management, research, industry, and maritime security.

Organised by MCAST under the coordination of Professor Aldo Drago, Malta’s national focal point for the UN/IOC and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the conference featured expert presentations and interactive consultation sessions. Discussions centred on designing, planning, and funding sustained marine observations to support sustainable development, safeguard marine resources, and advance innovation.