Marine biology research projects presented at University symposium

Research projects at the University of Malta under the supervision of conservation biologist Dr Adriana Vella, show how different organisms and different techniques may be used to answer relevant questions in connection with the marine environment's vulnerability to anthropogenic effects and its conservation.

The projects were presented yesterday at the University Biology Symposium. One interesting project by Jesmond Dalli assessed biodiversity richness and scuba diving on three reefs in Maltese coastal waters: the Rozi wreck (Cirkewwa), Um El Faroud wreck (Wied iz-Zurrieq) and the natural Merkanti Reef (St Julian's).

This demanding one-year project (2001-02) surveyed each site several times, sampling the biodiversity at different seasons and times of day, allowed for a first time detailed consideration of the importance of different reefs to coastal biodiversity and scuba diving in Malta. It also considered some of the effects of uncontrolled scuba activity at any one site.

Considering molecular genetics as a tool in conservation assessment has in the past not been considered possible locally, especially in the marine field. So research projects on the measurement of genetic variability of marine organisms, such as coastal limpets, Patella Rustica and Patella caerulea by Karen Sapienza (2000-01) and Andrew Amato Gauci (2001-02), or measuring the genetic integrity of marine organisms such as sea cucumbers, Holothuria polii by Nathalie Zahra (2001-02), are relevant and original applications that pave the way to diversifying the way we assess and monitor our natural environment.

Such projects were possible at the University of Malta, through promotion of Dr Vella's research in conservation and genetics.

Monitoring of organisms' genetic variability and the assessment of genetic integrity of marine organisms in Maltese coastal waters may shed light on the potential that population has to withstand changes imposed by a changing environment. Less genetic variability often reduces the potential for adaptation and thus survival of that population in a changing world.

Seeking ways to assess the amount of DNA damage cells are suffering in organisms found in different coastal regions may also address in detail the extent to which certain sites are deteriorating at the expense of biodiversity on site.

One research project dealt with marine bacteria, Vibrio sp., by Cedric Camilleri (2000-01). This group of bacteria includes some important pathological species that survive in the marine environment.

While in low concentrations most species are of no detrimental effect, when found in larger concentrations some Vibrio species may be the cause of disease to different marine organisms and also may affect human health, thus are of prime interest in assessments dealing with coastal marine life impoverishment or affects on endangered species in our waters.

Knowing the difference in marine environments and factors that cause such fluctuations is of relevant interest to both human (bathing water quality) and marine biodiversity well being and thus this project focused on measuring concentrations and distribution of the dominant Vibrio species found in selected spots around Malta is an important pilot contribution to developing more works in this area.

Another relevant marine conservation question was targeted with the project on local fisheries in the Maltese Islands and their impact on the marine environment by Andrew Muscat (2000-01). This research project allowed for the major fishing gear and target species to be considered side by side the impacts on by-catch species and the marine environment. Again this project was undertaken with the full collaboration of the fishermen involved as these appreciated the need of addressing conservation and sustainable fishing issues.

Apart from the biologically-centred research projects undertaken as part of the B.Sc. (Hons) degree, a project for the Diploma in Management Studies on a preliminary analysis into Managing Sustainable Tourism illustrates another area relevant to marine conservation.

This project allowed the student, Noel Travisan, to undertake a questionnaire study with tourists coming to Malta in Autumn 2001, together with a consideration of certain tourist operators and scuba diving centres, so as to capture the extent to which the local marine environment attracts or distresses the tourist.

In this ecotourism year 2002, it was interesting to have such a project's conclusion find that the marine environment remains an important reason for visiting the Maltese Islands even in Autumn.

The project thus recommends more conservation risk assessment and monitoring research, including that to assess the extent to which ongoing and future tourism activities become sustainable or more ecotourism oriented. Also important is the need to establish local environmental quality standards that are clear to the tourist industry.

Overall these diverse projects bring insight into how research may go beyond the conventional methods and topics to explore diverse questions of marine importance and thus start contributing toward new effective ways of assessing and monitoring our marine life for long term conservation planning and management. Surely encouraging such an advancement in local scientific research will also require funds.