St Paul’s Islands & Northern Cliffs Receive Highest Level Of Protection

St Paul’s Islands (Selmunett) and the stretch of cliffs from iċ-Ċumnija to ix-Xaqqa have been officially declared Special Protection Areas (SPA), enhancing their existing status as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). This upgraded designation provides stronger legal safeguards to protect vital wildlife, habitats, and natural landscapes.

In total, the new SPA designation adds approximately 1.25 million square metres to Malta’s network of protected areas – the equivalent of around 175 football pitches.

The announcement was made during an educational session at Ġnien Spencer in Marsa, attended by secondary school students, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), and the Minister for the Environment, Dr Miriam Dalli.

Through this designation, Malta demonstrates its practical commitment to protecting around 30% of the country’s land under various environmental regulations.

During the session, students engaged in interactive activities to learn how environmental protection operates in practice and how it is implemented across the Maltese Islands to ensure vulnerable species and habitats are safeguarded.

Minister Dalli stated, “We are expanding our network of protected natural areas and strengthening safeguards for vulnerable species. The protection of these two sites contributes to our national biodiversity goals and aligns with our commitments under European and global sustainability frameworks.”

Across Malta and Gozo, there are several categories of protected natural areas, including Nature Reserves, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), and Sites of Scientific Importance (SSI). Each designation reflects the ecological value of the site and the level of protection required. SPA status is one of the strongest forms of protection within the Natura 2000 network, providing enhanced legal safeguards and targeted conservation measures.

Darrin Stevens, ERA’s Director for Environment & Resources, noted that the Authority remains committed to working closely with all relevant entities, NGOs, and the public to ensure the effective implementation of these measures.

The decision to declare St Paul’s Islands and the Northern Cliffs as SPAs follows scientific research by BirdLife Malta through the LIFE PanPuffinus project, which confirmed an important breeding population of the Yelkouan shearwater (il-garnija). This seabird is protected under both Maltese and EU law. The new designation means conservation actions for this species will now be formally incorporated into site management plans, supported by ongoing collaboration between ERA, environmental NGOs, research partners, and local stakeholders.

Students from St Margaret College Ġużeppi Despott Secondary School (Verdala, Cospicua) and St Ġorġ Preca College Ħamrun Secondary School took part in quizzes, case studies, and role-play exercises exploring the importance of protected areas and the work being done to safeguard Malta’s natural heritage. These activities highlighted how evidence-based conservation, public participation, and learning opportunities are central to shaping a sustainable future.