S.L. 549.62 Art. 6Assessment. S.L. 423.20

(1) The competent authority shall make an initial assessment of Malta’s marine waters, taking account of existing data where available and comprising the following:

(a) an analysis of the essential features and characteristics, and current environmental status of those waters, based on the indicative lists of elements set out in Table 1 of Schedule II, and covering the physical and chemical features, the habitat types, the biological features and the hydro-morphology;

(b) an analysis of the predominant pressures and impacts, including human activity, on the environmental status of those waters which:

(i) is based on the indicative lists of elements set out in Table 2 of Schedule II, and covers the qualitative and quantitative mix of the various pressures, as well as discernible trends;

(ii) covers the main cumulative and synergetic effects; and

(iii) takes account of the relevant assessments which have been made pursuant to existing Community legislation;

(c) an economic and social analysis of the use of those waters and of the cost of degradation of the marine environment.

(2) The analyses referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall take into account elements regarding coastal, transitional and territorial waters covered by relevant provisions of existing legislation, in particular the Water Policy Framework Regulations. They shall also take into account, or use as their basis, other relevant assessments such as those carried out jointly in the context of Regional Sea Conventions, so as to produce a comprehensive assessment of the status of the marine environment.

(3) In preparing assessments pursuant to subregulation (1), the competent authority shall, by means of the coordination established pursuant to regulations 4 and 5, make every effort to ensure that:

(a) assessment methodologies are consistent across the Ionian Sea and the Central Mediterranean Sea marine subregion;

(b) transboundary impacts and transboundary features are taken into account.