2016: LIFE BaĦAR Expedition

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Overview

The LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project was set to establish a coherent network of marine protected areas in Malta by 2018.

As part of the project, Oceana’s conducted to at-sea expeditions in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Both expeditions used Oceana’s research vessel, the Ranger, equipped with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), a single beam sonar, a dredge and various laboratory instruments.

The project was co-financed by the EU LIFE+ Funding Programme and led by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), in collaboration with the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the University of Malta and Fundación Oceana.

Based on the analysis of the results gathered by the expeditions, the project partners identified a list of proposed sites and delivered a proposal to the Maltese Government so that marine protected areas under Natura 2000 network may be designated.

Executive Summary: Benthic Habitat Research for Marine Natura 2000 Site Designation

Goal: Accomplished

Thanks to Oceana’s efforts as part of the LIFE Ba?AR for N2K project, the Maltese government announced the designation or expansion of eight marine protected areas in the Mediterranean in June of 2018. As a designation made under the Natura 2000 framework, national authorities are now responsible for drafting a management plan within six years – a key step toward ensuring the continued protection of these areas.

Diaries

July 31, 2016

The End

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July 29, 2016

Points of view

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July 27, 2016

Fantastic

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July 26, 2016

Clouds

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July 21, 2016

See you later!

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July 20, 2016

Strange visitor

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July 14, 2016

North-west winds

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July 12, 2016

A feeling

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July 7, 2016

A busy day!

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June 29, 2016

Back sailing again!

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June 28, 2016

To the water…?

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June 26, 2016

Ropes and mishaps

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June 25, 2016

Today, finally!

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June 22, 2016

Days at sea

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June 20, 2016

Sampling protocol

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June 18, 2016

Superstitions

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June 17, 2016

A fine Ranger

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June 16, 2016

Hi!

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June 14, 2016

Hello Oceaners!

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June 13, 2016

Rough sea

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June 10, 2016

So far, so good

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June 8, 2016

World Oceans Day

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The Crew

Jorge Blanco

Senior GIS Analyst & Logistics Coordinator

Allison Perry

Director of Science & Strategy, Europe

Ricardo Aguilar

Senior Advisor & Expedition Leader

Albert Ferrer

ROV Pilot

Helena Alvarez

Senior Marine Scientist

CARLOS MINGUELL

Underwater photographer (Spain)

ENRIQUE RÍO

Deckhand (Spain)

RUBÉN GONZÁLEZ

Deckhand (Spain)

ENRIQUE TALLEDO

Underwater videographer (Spain)

JOSÉ MANUEL SÁEZ

ROV’s Technician (Spain)

Juan Marcos

Diving Team Coordinator

David Orr

ROV’s Technician

Marta Fernández

Deckhand

Cristina Urien

Cook

Pere Valera

Skipper

Alex Blanco

Deckhand

Aaron Saenz

Safety Diver

Videos