S.L. 549.44 ст. 10Species subject to special conservation measures. S.L. 549.42 Declaration of Special Protection Areas. S.L. 549.42 S.L. 549.42

(1) Bird species mentioned in Schedule I of the

Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations are to be subject to special conservation measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.

(2) In order to implement subregulation (1), the competent authority shall, in particular, classify the most suitable territories in number and size as Special Protection Areas for the conservation of these species, taking into account their protection requirements in the land and marine areas of Malta.

(3) Such areas are to take into account species listed in Schedule I to the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations that are in danger of extinction, species vulnerable to specific changes in their habitat, species considered rare because of small populations or restricted local distribution and other species requiring particular attention for reasons of the specific nature of their habitat. Trends and variations in population levels shall be taken into account as a background for evaluations.

(4) The competent authority shall take similar measures for regularly occurring migratory species not listed in Schedule I to the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, bearing in mind their need for protection in the land and marine areas of Malta, as regards their breeding, moulting and wintering areas and staging posts along their migration routes. To this end, the competent authority shall pay particular attention to the protection of wetlands and particularly to wetlands of international importance.