Protected archaeological zones at sea

Inside the archaeological zones at sea declared by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Act, spear fishing is prohibited, along with set bottom lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets, encircling nets, and demersal pots and traps. Only surface fishing is allowed, including trolling lines (rixa). Diving on these sites is separately controlled and requires authorisation from Heritage Malta / the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit. Basis: Notice to Mariners No 02 of 2024 (consolidated list, January 2024), extended by NtM 16 of 2025.