Beach management review of the Maltese Islands

Integrated beach management is a relatively recent practice in Malta. Its pattern of development, the factors that have prompted it and the challenges remaining are reviewed in this paper. Although there is clear evidence of improvement in the management of the coast and beaches, it can be argued that there are still shortcomings in the present system. This research presents a critical review of beach management in the Maltese Islands. After Independence in 1964, Malta struggled in many aspects to conserve the coastal areas and the beaches of the islands. The coast witnessed rapid development to accommodate the influx of tourists which although beneficial to the economy, inevitably increased pressures on beach resources. There followed forty years of piecemeal management until the accession to the European Union (EU) in 2004. Following EU membership, Malta moved towards a more holistic and integrated form of beach management, in part driven by the need to meet EU Directives and targets.