University biologist Alan Deidun last week presented a paper on the designation of Rdum Majjiesa as the first marine protected area in the Maltese islands and marine biodiversity management measures during the 40th annual congress of the Società Italiana di Biologia Marina (SIBM) held in Livorno.
Dr Deidun's visit to Italy was partly sponsored under the Italo-Maltese cultural protocol.
The organisation of Italian marine biologists decided to hold next year's meeting in Malta and Dr Deidun has been appointed as the Department of Biology's representative in this regard.