A long time ago Filfla used to make part of the mainland Malta. The island was separated by means of a geological fault. The isolation of Filfla resulted in the island embracing a unique ecosystem.

Up until1971, Filfla served as ground for military practices. The screes and rock debris surrounding this small island are a proof of this. In 1988, Filfla had been declared as a nature reserve and access to it has been strictly prohibited ever since.

Among the flora and fauna found on this island there are species which are unique such as the Filfla wall lizard, which is confined to this island, and the Maltese door-snail, Lampedusa imitartix gattoi. Other species include beetles, crickets, fungi and various other plants.

Filfla is also an important breeding site for vulnerable seabirds, including the European storm-petrel, which in Maltese is known as Il-kangu ta’ Filfla, whose main breeding stronghold is restricted to this islet.

This Natura 2000 site will be subject to the preparation of a management plan and/or legislation in the near future, as part of an EU-funded project that MEPA is undertaking for the management planning all the terrestrial Natura 2000 sites of the Maltese islands.