Malta Launches First 360° Mapping Of Its Seas Through OurOBS Project

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, together with Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, visited the OurOBS (Our OBServations) project aboard the research vessel Gaia Blu.

Led by MCAST in collaboration with Aquatic Resources Malta, supported by Science Malta and Italy’s Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), the project aims to carry out the first-ever 360° mapping of the physical and biochemical structure of Malta’s surrounding waters. This initiative will provide deeper insight into marine dynamics, their links to coastal ecosystems and small pelagic fish, while also laying a scientific foundation for sustainable fishing practices and effective marine management.

Mr Azzopardi Tanti underlined the importance of Malta’s seas, noting that they are fourteen times larger than the country’s land area. He said, “Through this project we are building the knowledge base needed for sustainable fishing, stronger coastal communities, and future generations. This reflects Malta Vision 2050 and our commitment to being responsible stewards of the sea.”

Dr Bugeja Said emphasised the importance of reliable scientific data for decision-making in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine conservation, “As an island, Malta must invest in sound information to guide us towards a resilient and sustainable blue economy. This project highlights the value of science and collaboration in shaping a better future.”

Professor Aldo Drago, Principal Investigator of the project, added that the Gaia Blu marks a fundamental step towards ecosystem-based fisheries management, enabling repeated observations and detailed studies of marine dynamics to guide sustainable fishing practices.

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