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CURRENT & RECENT PROJECTS |
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MRA Tender for Groundwater analysis (2009)
Ecoserv has been awarded a tender by the Malta Resources
Authority (MRA) for the chemical and bacteriological
analysis of groundwater bodies in various localities of the
Maltese Water Catchment District. This work forms part of an
extensive survey of the quality of groundwater in the
Maltese Islands, being conducted by MRA as part of the
Groundwater Surveillance Monitoring Campaign required under
Article 8 of the Water Framework Directive (CD 2000/60/EC).
The MRA is the competent authority for the protection,
enhancement and restoration of the status of all groundwater
bodies in Malta. |
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Rinella Bay Surveys (2008)
Ecoserv has been commissioned to undertake marine surveys
within Rinella Bay, in connection with a potential beach
rehabilitation project for the area. The surveys consisted
of baseline studies of the marine benthic assemblages,
sediment and water quality in the bay, and extended over a
three month period: between June and August 2008. The survey
included a detailed chemical analysis of the water and
sediment that included 85 chemical constituents tested in
the marine water and 65 chemical constituents tested in the
marine sediments. |
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WFD advice to MEPA (2007 – 2009)
Ecoserv has been commissioned by the Malta Environment and
Planning Authority (MEPA) to render expert advice in
relation to the implementation of the monitoring
requirements under the provisions of Article 8 of the Water
Framework Directive (WFD, CD 2000/60/EC) for surface waters
in the Maltese Islands. MEPA is the competent authority for
the protection of coastal, marine and inland suface waters.
Advice on the sampling design of the surveillance and
operational monitoring networks is being provided by
Ecoserv, while taking into consideration the biological
quality elements and physico-chemical quality elements as
described in the WFD. |
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Environmental Monitoring of Tuna-penning activities
(2001 – date)
Ecoserv has been commissioned to undertake regular
environmental monitoring at various offshore
tuna-penning sites, including ones operated by AJD Tuna
Ltd (off St Paul’s Bay/Qawra, Malta Fish Farming Ltd
(off Munxar Reef), and Fishandfish Ltd (off il-Hofriet).
Ecoserv is also undertaking environmental monitoring at
the recently established deep water (65 m – 90 m)
‘aquaculture zone’ located 6 km off the east coast of
mainland Malta. The monitoring programme aims to
establish the magnitude and extent of any potential
adverse impacts, which the tuna-penning activities may
have on the marine environment. |
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Monitoring of the impact of coastal development projects
on Posidonia oceanica meadows (2001 – date)
Ecoserv is currently undertaking various monitoring
surveys that use seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a
bioindicator to assess potential adverse impacts of
coastal development activities on the marine
environment. The coastal activities being monitored
include fish farming, beach replenishment projects, and
ship terminal works. Furthermore, surveys are underway
in relation to use of the seagrass as ‘standard’
bioindicator of ecological status of coastal waters, as
required by the European Union’s Water Framework
Directive (WFD). |
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Environmental monitoring in connection with beach
replenishment works at St George’s Bay (2004 – date)
The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has implemented beach
replenishment works at St George’s Bay (St Julian’s,
Malta) using medium-to-coarse sand of terrestrial
origin. Ecoserv was commissioned by the MTA to
undertake marine environmental monitoring in relation to
the replenishment works. The monitoring programme
included surveys of the distribution of benthic habitats
in the bay using remote sensing techniques (aerial
photography and GIS), use of seagrass (Posidonia
oceanica) as a bioindicator of change in the
ecological status of the inlet, and studies of water
quality and sediments. |
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Benthic surveys using underwater videography at two coastal areas (Ghallis
to Pembroke and Ricasoli to Marsascala), as part of a
Land Reclamation Feasibility Study (2007)
Ecoserv has been commissioned by Scott Wilson (UK) to
carry out benthic mapping of habitats using video
surveys, as part of the tender awarded to them by MEPA
to investigate two areas as options for land
reclamation. Detailed site-investigations for potential
siting of a land reclamation project were required, so
as to provide concrete information for decision makers.
Data from both areas was collected through direct
observation of the seabed using (i) a towed ROV
(remotely operated vehicle) in water depths between
10-50m, and (ii) a diver-operated underwater video
camera in waters shallower than 10m. The outputs of this
survey include detailed maps showing the distribution of
marine benthic assemblages and habitat types present in
the two areas. |
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Lists of threatened and/or endemic species (2005 – 2006)
Ecoserv and Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd have been
awarded tenders for setting up lists of threatened
and/or endemic species for the Maltese Islands. The
award, made by the Malta Environment and Planning
Authority, concerns various groups of fauna.
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Surveys of underwater wrecks used as diving attractions
(2004 – date)
Ecoserv has been commissioned by various organisations,
including Malta Shipyards, the Malta Marine Foundation
and Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, to carry out
underwater ecological surveys of a number of vessels
that have been scuttled for use as diving attractions.
The surveys include assessment of growth (epiflora and
epifauna) on the wrecks and surveys of the associated fish fauna. |

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Integration
of Environment Concerns into Malta's Agriculture on the
Basis of the IRENA Operation (2005 - date)
Ecoserv and EMDP Ltd have been awarded a tender for a review study
of local agro-environmental policies to determine the
sustainability of agriculture practice and enhance the
rural environment in accordance with EU and National
objectives. The study will consider selected areas of
the Maltese Archipelago, namely Special Areas of
Conservation present along the northwest coastal zone
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12, Sir Arthur Borton
Street Mosta, MST1881, Malta Tel:
(+356)21431900, Fax: (+356)21424137 email: info@ecoserv.com.mt
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