Continental Shelf Department, Malta

The main role of the Continental Shelf Department is to promote and attract investment for the exploration and exploitation of Malta’s natural resources in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner. The Department is also responsible for regulating other activities on Malta’s continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) such as petroleum exploration and exploitation, the laying of submarine cables and pipelines, marine scientific research and the construction, operation and use of artificial islands, structures and devices.

The Department also acts as the Geological Survey of Malta and in this capacity represents Malta at meetings and expert groups of EuroGeoSurveys, a non-profit organisation made up of 38 European Geological Surveys. In this role the Department participates in EU projects on marine data such as EMODnet and projects such as the Geological Service for Europe. The Department is also the custodian of the Geological Map of Malta and is responsible for the upkeep of this map.