Report for Year 3 Research The observational study of Elasmobranch species in the sea around the island of Filfla, a Special Area of Conservation by Sharklab-Malta. Image ©Sharklab-Malta The observational study of Elasmobranch in the sea around the island of Filfla would not have been possible without the required permits being issued by the Environment Protection Directorate of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and Transport Malta. Sharklab-Malta would like to thank those persons involved as without the permits and additional support this long term research project would not have been possible. Permit reference NP 9414 1 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 Report for Year 3 Research The observational study of Elasmobranch species in the sea around the island of Filfla, a Special Area of Conservation by Sharklab-Malta. Report Index • Introduction • Methodology and research • Research restrictions • Dates of observational studies during the third year • Zone descriptions • Zone observation frequency • Identified species during observational surveys • Species information and sighting details for the third year of observational research • Species information and sighting details - Common Stingray – Dasyatis pastinaca • Species information and sighting details – Common Eagle Ray – Myliobatis aquila • Species information and sighting details - Marbled Torpedo Ray – Torpedo marmorata • Biodiversity within the sea around the island of Filfla • Problems • Planning for the future Image ©Sharklab-Malta Common Stingray – Dasyatis pastinaca 2 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 Introduction Sharklab-Malta is a registered NGO in Malta and its members are all volunteers, there are no paid members of the organisation. This research has been made possible only through self funding. All participants have paid for their own dive gear rental where needed as well as the hire of diving gases and additionally the cost of boat usage. It is hoped that Sharklab-Malta may be able to secure some future funding for this research, which will allow the possibility of more frequent and a greater range of research during the next number of years, but until then we will continue to self fund this research. Sharklab-Malta members and its supporters are dedicated to learning more about the state of Elasmobranch (sharks, skates and rays) within the waters of the Maltese islands and in the case of this project, within the waters which surround the protected island of Filfla. Through sharing the findings it is hoped that we can ensure that a better management strategy can be adopted as necessary to ensure the long term survival of Elasmobranch species within Maltese waters. It is through this dedication and determination that this long term observational study has been started. The third year of research is aimed at consolidating the results from year one and two as research continues to confirm that Elasmobranch do indeed inhabit or travel through this area. Through the research we aim to gather further details of the species present, habitats preferred and locations within the protected areas and log the time of year and frequency of these sightings. Sharklab-Malta received the permit/approval from the Environment Protection Directorate of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to continue this observational study on 12th June 2014. The aim of the 1st year of research was to study through observation and image capture any species of Elasmobranch (sharks, skates and rays) residing or travelling through the protected area surrounding the island of Filfla as well as generating a basic mapping system to allow for repetitive research throughout all 12 months of the year and to act as a foundation for future research. Year 2 set out to continue this to attain a better picture of the presence of Elasmobranch as well as continue to map habitats. Year 3 was a continuation of research methods previously set out. Findings of this observational study can be used to assist in the future management and protection of vulnerable species of Elasmobranch identified within the sea around the island of Filfla as well as act as an indicator to the success of this marine protected area. Through the study many other marine species were observed and the records of these can also be utilised for implementing a more complete plan to safeguard the biodiversity around the Maltese islands and within its waters. Over the duration of the 3rd years permit 14th June 2014 until it’s expiry on 13th June 2015, through a combination of diving and snorkelling, members of Sharklab-Malta and supporting divers and snorkelers carried out only 12 observational visits to the waters surrounding the island of Filfla. During the third year of study three separate species of Elasmobranch were confirmed as present within the study area. Combining the results of year 1, 2 and 3 a total of 8 individual species of Elasmobranch have been observed as part of this ongoing study. 3 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 Methodology and Research For the third year of research the research methodology remained unchanged. The organising team continued to coordinate all research activities and data collected during the observational studies. Initial studies of the Bathymetric maps created by AIS Environmental Limited together with Envision Mapping Ltd of the UK as part of the 2006 series of detailed surveys organised by MEPA were used to highlight the potential areas of interest. Sharklab-Malta continued to use the created 6 zones system to create a simple and effective way of recording sightings and data and to ease planning for research activities within the immediate area of the island. The 6 zones were taken from the shoreline of Filfla to a depth of 40 metres (the limit for recreational divers). The Bathymetric maps created by AIS Environmental Limited together with Envision Mapping Ltd of the UK below were taken from the Acoustic and Video report as part of the 2006 series of surveys and were used to highlight the variable topography around Filfla. The maps indicate many different potential habitats and were used to determine potential search areas. The swath bathymetric data have been transformed into contours of 5 m intervals, which have been coloured according to the Legend. 4 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 The swath bathymetric data have been transformed into a digital elevation model (DEM) which is shown in plan view with an illumination point vertically above Filfla. The DEM is shown from a virtual position due south of Filfla and with illumination due north. 5 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 The Bathymetric maps taken from the 2006 report, highlighted the fact that the topography and types of significantly different habitats available to Elasmobranch included a wide range of close shelves, boulder zones, caves, and drop offs to the open pelagic area surrounding the island. Through the planned research Sharklab-Malta included some of these areas of interest in the initial research plans. The zoning system designed for simple initial data collection based on the 2006 survey bathymetric map. 2 3 The zoning covered approximately 300m from the shore to the 40 metre bathymetric and was 1 divided into 6 similar sized zones. 4 Using this simple zoning method any 6 Elasmobranch sightings could be very easily 5 identified and the zone detail highlighted for further research. The zoning allowed for a general overview of the waters immediately surrounding the island. In order to cover a wide area of each zone per survey, the format for each dive followed a basic pattern with the exception of Stork Rock. The dive boat anchored along the centre line of the zone at an average depth of 10 metres. From the boat a team would follow a looping route from the boat out into the deeper water and then return in a loop back to the boat as illustrated below. 6 – Sharklab-Malta VO/0298 Observational Elasmobranch Study within the Protected Waters around Filfla Report for Year 3 – 2014/2015 During observational surveys where there were multiple teams, several looping routes from the boat into deeper water and back to the boat were followed and then sightings discussed and noted to ensure duplication of results did not occur as illustrated above. This simple method of covering a large area worked well and will be repeated for future surveys. This method also allows for repeatability which is essential to have accurate records of sightings within each of the zones. Research restrictions As stated previously within the report only 12 dives/snorkels were undertaken as part of the 3rd year of research, there had been plans to undertake many more but the weather played a major factor in the completion of a full 12 month study with occasions when strong North Westerly and Westerly winds made trips offshore impossible. Researching offshore is very much dependant on the weather and when the wind is greater than Beaufort 4, the safety of participants becomes a major factor. Sadly as a self funded project on occasions we also had to cancel planned trips due to insufficient participants to cover the boat costs. This is one of the limitations of a self funded project. Sharklab-Malta is continuing to working hard to engage with external supporters/sponsors to ensure more frequent research can be achieved. Sharklab-Malta is also looking at the use of a smaller boat which can be launched closer to the island to allow for single survey dives when the weather is favourable to increase the amount of data which can be obtained for this long term project.