MARINE ALIEN SPECIES By ALAN DEIDUN

In-situ long-term measurements of temperature and salinity recorded at the Straits of Gibraltar have shown that the deep water leaving the Mediterranean for the Atlantic through the same straits is warmer (ca. 0.3⁰C) and saltier (ca. 0.06 units) than ten years ago. Other studies seem to suggest that the Mediterranean Sea is warming up at a faster rate than other basins. 

Native thermophilic (‘warm temperature-loving’) species, usually restricted to the southern and eastern, warmer sectors of the Mediterranean Sea are now moving northwards and westwards. This phenomenon (meridionalization) is particularly evident in fish, where over 30 native species have already spread in the northern areas of the Basin. Lobotes surinamensis (the Atlantic tripletail) is a case in point. This cosmopolitan fish species was previously only known from the Mediterranean from the eastern half of the basin, very rarely being recorded from central areas.  Up to 2005, just one individual for the species had been recorded from Maltese waters. 

As documented by Deidun et al. (2010), the species was reported on numerous occasions during 2009 and 2010, in shoals and with juveniles, in Maltese nearshore waters, suggesting that the species has established populations in this part of the Mediterranean. Meridionalization has been documented for a number of species including the peacock wrasse (Thalassoma pavo), previously only abundant in the Eastern Mediterranean and now well established in the Western Basin as well. 

Similarly, climate warming facilitates the establishment and spread of tropical, exotic species that are introduced via the Suez Canal or the Straits of Gibraltar, mainly through maritime transport (in ballast water or as fouling organisms on the hull of ships) or via aquaculture  This process (tropicalization) is fast advancing and, to date, almost 1000 exotic (non-indigenous) species have been recorded from the Mediterranean Sea, being native of tropical or temperate Atlantic regions (e.g. the African moonfish – Selene dorsalis – first recorded in Malta in 2008) or of Erythrean (East African) or Indo-Pacific areas (e.g. the upside-down jellyfish – Cassiopea andromeda – first recorded in Malta in 2009). The fish family Tetraodontidae (Pufferfish family) constitute a striking example of the tropicalization of the Mediterranean fish fauna, with the number of pufferfish species recorded for the Mediterranean waters rising from three (E. guttiferum, L. lagocephalus and L. spadiceus) to 10 species, with seven novel tetraodontids of Lessepsian or tropical-Atlantic origin. In view of its toxicity, fishermen were until recently being paid 1 euro for every specimen of L. lagocephalus they caught!

Exotic species coming in through the Suez Canal are aptly called Lessepsian migrants, as a tribute to the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps who steered the signing of the agreement endorsing the development of the Suez Canal. The opening of the canal (which hosts ca. 6% of the global maritime traffic, equivalent to almost 20,000 large vessels per year) in 1869 is independent of climate change but it has certainly provided us with a snapshot of the ramifications of the warming sea by providing a corridor and paving the way for the tropical migrants to enter the warmer Mediterranean. 

German professors visiting the Suez Canal area in the late nineteenth century commented on the marked dissimilarity between the marine species on both sides of the canal – the warming of the Mediterranean is bridging such a divide, with mostly, as yet, unknown impacts. The first record of a Lessepsian fish migrant dates back to 1902 – nowadays, the count of such species hovers around the 150 mark, or ca. 20% of the total fish species in the Mediterranean. 

Some exotic marine species have exhibited a spectacular range expansion within the Mediterranean, ever since their first entry. Notable examples include the blue-spotted cornet fish (Fistularia commersonii), a Lessepsian migrant which was first recorded in the Mediterranean in 2000 but which is nowadays regularly caught and observed as far west as Sardinia and the Ligurian Sea; conversely, the Sally lightfoot crab (Percnon gibbesi), an Atlantic migrant this time, was first recorded in the Mediterranean in 1999 (in Malta, in 2001) and has spread as far eastwards as the Turkish coast!

Sciberras & Schembri (2007) is a landmark work in which stock was taken of the marine alien species found then within Maltese waters. Since then, almost twenty new exotic species have been recorded from Maltese waters, bringing the total to at least 55 confirmed exotic marine species from the same waters, with the highest number of such species being mollusks, followed by fish. Exotic fish species recorded from Maltese waters in the last four years alone include the African hind (Cephalolepis taeniops), the African moonfish (Selene dorsalis), the spotted scat (Scatophagus argus), the barred knifejaw (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and the Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus). Recently-recorded exotic jellyfish species include the nomadic jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica), the blue button (Porpita porpita) and the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea andromeda).

Whilst the ecological impact of most exotic marine species eludes us so far, for some species such an impact is only too glaring. For instance, the alien nomadic jellyfish species (Rhopilema nomadica – recorded from two locations within Maltese waters in 2004) has showed up along Levantine coastlines every summer since the mid 1980’s, forming large swarms which depreciate the touristic amenity of the coastal areas and clogging fishing nets. In 2001, the Israel Electric company was forced to remove tons of biomass of the voracious exotic jellyfish from its seawater intake pipes, for an estimated cost of 50,000 US dollars!

The thematic of marine alien species is being taken very seriously by different organizations and legislative bodies, not least by the European Commission, who funded a large-scale, web-based project named DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) which provides updated information on different marine alien species online (http://www.europe-aliens.org/). In addition, the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea (CIESM) has published a number of atlases of exotic species, which can also be downloaded for free (www.ciesm.org).

The author is interested in the thematic of marine alien species in local waters and thus any records of such species, substantiated with photos or video footage or the specimens themselves, would be greatly appreciated (alan.deidun@gmail.com). The same material should also be sent to Prof. Patrick J Schembri from the Department of Biology at the University of Malta on patrick.j.schembri@um.edu.mt since his research team (the Marine Ecology Research Group) is actively involved in research on exotic marine species within Maltese coastal waters as part of a collaboration within CIESM’s (the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea) Tropical Signals programme.

CONTRIBUTOR ALAN DEIDUN

ON IGNORANCE AND STUPIDITY

Ignorance and stupidity are the two primary causes of diver environmental damage.

We would like to think that we, divers, are paragons of positive environmental behavior....truth be told we are anything but.

Ignorance is what most of us divers suffer from.

Bad buoyancy; swimming under overhangs, through tunnels, or sensitive environments, like into wrecks covered in squid eggs are a bit of a short list of environmental damage divers can potentially do persuing our past time.

From around February to the end of June, most types of wrasses build nests to lay their eggs. These are rather delicate structures made of algae, some are a combination of algae, sand and small stones, others make a simple bed of small stones and broken corals.

Those that survive the frequent storms at Cirkewwa, are subjected to other as, or possibly more disastrous storms created by bad buoyancy and finning from divers ignorant of what they are swimming over.

Another example would be creating a gnome garden, destroying various environments created by the rocks that were used as decorations.

The fact that these have now created another environment does not detract from the fact that other established environments were destroyed to build this amusing garden.

Recently an instructor was witnessed distributing souvenirs in the form of shells to divers. While the intention may sincere, the fact that these shells were removed out of their environment goes against the principle of protecting the environment.

One may argue that it was just a one off event. Let us assume that this is a recurring habit, or let us take it farther, and assume that each of the 60,000 divers that dive Cirkewwa at least once, take a souvenir, or that each or more than one of the 100 instructors that work the island give a souvenir after every dive there....this would mean that within a short period collectively the damage would be unsustainable.

It is not just a matter of bringing one shell up. The shell could very well be, in fact often is, a habitat to other creatures, often to creatures that we may either not see or recognize. Have a look at this album I posted earlier.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462873946102.240822.575796102&type=1

It is also disappointing to see instructors allowing shells to be brought up as souvenirs by divers. Shells that can become  future habitats for amongst others, hermit crabs.

Fortunately for us there are fewer instructors or divers that indulge in this souvenir collection which in most cases ends up in some rubbish bin or forgotten in some garage.

Ignorance stems from divers not understanding or bothering to learn MORE about this wonderful, mysterious world we are privileged to visit.

Ignorance can be overcome by informing oneself, through the Internet, purchasing any of the many informative books that are around. Some of the best can be found at various diving centers. Or, for a more complete education, enrolling in courses on marine biology for laymen as organized and advertised by Alan Deidun amongst others.

I have often advised underwater photographers, that they can be better photographers by understanding what they are photographing and how it relates to its environment. 

Having said that, its ironic to see divers resting on marine life destroying the the very marine environment in pursuit of the perfect photo.

STUPIDITY, now, is a completely different matter.

After being forced out of the water for some 15months, I was pleasantly surprised at the lush and rich growth of algae, plants and invertebrates that now covered the P29.

So I was truly dismayed when I saw that some diver/s scraped away some 3 years' growth from the stern deck of the P29, to spell out ROZI in letters ONE METER high with an accompanying arrow.

THIS KIND OF STUPIDITY IS UNFORGIVABLE.

That this kind of thing often happens under the eyes of dive guides and diving instructors is inexcusable.

SPEARFISHING IS ILLEGAL AT CIRKEWWA AND OTHER AREAS.

When we finally joined the EU, we were blessed with having to adapt and implement many of their laws and regulations.

Some of these were related to the protection and management of the marine environment.

Mature Groupers. Photo by Myriam Lofellmacher

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) No2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94

Article 8 paragraph 4 of the above regulation states. "Spear-guns shall be prohibited if used in conjunction with underwater breathing apparatus (aqualung) or at night from sunset to dawn".

  Farther these were implemented in Malta through NOTICE TO MARINERS NO 5 of 2008 CONSERVATION AREAS AROUND WRECKS.

Within the designated area fishing that touches the bottom, like paritii, conzijet as well as pots and spearfishing are prohibited.

 Irrespective of this spearfishing, which I will reiterate is ILLEGAL, still goes on, early in the day, late afternoon and at night. Paritii are still being laid within 200meters of the wrecks. Well within the boundaries in the above image.

We need to start shouldering our responsibilities. We need to stop standing on the sidelines.

You can start doing your part by reporting illegalities by calling the RESCUE COORDINATION CENTRE on 21809279 and 22494202, or MARK TABONE 99422840 Assitant Fisheries NCO IC maritime Squadron Fisheries Officer.(I hope I got the tile and name right)

The Maritime Squadron has done sterling work whenever they have been advised of illegalities, but they can only react and prosecute  to infringements when the know that these are happening. I have personally seen AFM personnel at Cirkewwa pulling up conzijet from near the Rozi.

While we are making our efforts to manage Cirkewwa as a VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE we still need a more proactive enforcement by the Government to ensure that the illegalities are stopped BEFORE any damage is done.

One of the arguments used against having a police presence on site to act as a deterrent, is the issue of cost.

We believe that this cost issue can be overcome by the simple expedient of having the police at the Cirkewwa terminal to regularly walk the stretch of coast, some 200M in lenght to ensure that nobody is braking the law or better still act as a deterrent to those contemplating breaking the law.

Wreck Fish once plentiful and now non existent on the P29 and Rozi shot by illegal spearfishing. Photo Mark Fothergill

I would like to end this by asking that you save the numbers mentioned above onto your mobiles and report any illegalities you may observe.

These are: 1) Spearfishing  at any time of day or night,with or without aqualung at Cirkewwa withing the area shown on the above map.
 2) The laying of paritii, conzijiet and pots.

Thanks.
Tonio

Photography

Over the last few years we have seen some great advances in the technology of compact cameras, and with them becoming affordable we are seeing more and more divers on dive site with their own cameras eager and keen to get some great photos.

Cirkewwa offers good parking and easy access making it an interesting site for the professional and amature photographers amongst us.

For those who loves wrecks and the life they attract there is the Rozi possibly one of the most dived wrecks in Malta and the P29 a 51m long minesweeper.

To the right you have the Arch that always has one or two Barracuda swimming around, and if your lucky enough to find them there is a huge school of 200 plus swimming around there.

Of course if you look close enough there are some great opportunities for those who like me love macro photography.

Hermit crabs, nudibranchs,feathers stars and if your really lucky seahorses.

These are just a few of the dives that Cirkewwa offers, so if you want to discover the wonders of Cirkewwa then come to Malta, bring your cameras and snap away.

Cirkewwa

   CIRKEWWA OFFERS A RICH AND DIVERSE RANGE OF MARINE LIFE, YOUR CO-OPERATION IN PROTECTING THIS AREA FOR FUTURE ENJOYMENT WOULD BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE.

PLEASE ADOPT RESPONSIBLE DIVE PRACTICES TO AVOID DAMAGING MARINE LIFE BY:

* Ensuring that you... are in good control of your buoyancy at all times, and avoid using rocks as ballast as they are living reefs
* Avoid excessive finning in close proximity to the reef as it can dislodge and damage life.
* Keep your equipment secured and streamlined

PLEASE ADOPT A RESPECTFUL AND PASSIVE APPROACH TO MARINE LIFE:

* Do not harass flora or fauna
* Do not collect souvenirs (dead or alive)
* Whenever possible avoid swimming under overhangs as bubbles can damage delicate coral growth, including star corals (Astroides calycularis) which are a protected species.
* Avoid entering areas of wrecks where squid eggs hang as bad buoyancy or bubbles can dislodge these
* Do not remove octopus from their dens as they may be protecting eggs
* When swimming over sand take care to not stir up the environment as sand are living habitats
* Dive boats should try to not anchor too close to wrecks as they may damage unique sea grass beds, or on Posidonia Meadows as they are akeystone species in housing ecosystems and are also a protected species.
* Do not damage urchins, as the rock sea urchin and the Needle-Spined Urchin (Cetrostephanus longispinus) are protected species
* Do not spearfish, especially with aqua lung as it is illegal
* Do not leave any litter in the sea or surrounding area, please use bins provided
We will also be asking MEPA, the TRANSPORT AUTHORITY, FISHERIES to do there part and ensure that the police presence at the Cirkewwa terminal, roster in regular foot patrols as a deterrent to illegal fishing.

CIRKEWWA V VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE.

For the past 25 years the amateur and professional Diving Community of Malta, including the 60,000 diving tourists annually, have been writing and arguing in favor of declaring this gem of Biodiversity to be protected and declared a marine sanctuary.

Since joining the EU Cirkewwa has become a defacto area of conservation by way of a law prohibiting some types of fishing around wrecks.

Despite of this, divers have to resort to calling in the police Administrative Law Enforcement(ALE) branch, to deal with infringements almost on a daily basis. Infringements also happen at night.

Spearfishing and the laying of parritii, (trammel nets) are but two of the infringement.
Last year a family of three spent a week at Cirkewwa clearing all the sea urchins they could get to.

This is not only an ecological disaster, but an infringement as sea urchins have a level of protection.

After meeting with the relevant Government departments and realized that there is a general consensus that Cirkewwa be protected, but that this may take a couple of years due to EU protocol, we decided that we need to take steps to have some autonomous form of protection.

The approach we have taken is that of launching Cirkewwa as a Voluntary Marine Reserve.

To do this we have already gotten the support of the various local diving Clubs as well as the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA), and Nature Trust Malta continued support.

We are now ready to embark on an outreach program to contact various other users, like the fishing and angling community, boat users and others that have an indirect interest of protecting this site like restaurants and hotels.

We will be collaborating with various users on the drafting out of a CODE OF PRACTICE for the various groups, as we have done for the diving community.

The aim of the group will still be that we eventually Cirkewwa be declared a Marine Sanctuary, but feel that if the VMR works than this would become either redundant or receive the unconditional support of all users.

Meanwhile there is still the problem of the ongoing irregularities.

The laying of Paritii still goes on as does the spearfishing.

In view of this, and understanding that it may be costly for the Government to have ALE personnel on site 24/7, we ask that a compromise be made and that the police officers already on duty at the Cirkewwa ferry terminal take regular foot patrols along the 300M coastline which constitutes the dive site.

This would only take a short 10mins casual walk there and back.

We are still asking that the penalties regarding the infringement to the laws, be increased to reflect the cost of prosecution