Tal-Blata Salt Pans are a series of salt pans, located in northern Malta within the limits of Xemxija. The site is accessible to the public through a pathway near Fort Campbell. The salt pans cover an approximate area of 19,020m2. The site is a popular tourist destination. It is probable that the salt pans are no longer used for salt production due to being left in derelict conditions. The site is surrounded by abandoned agricultural land. The area is being used as an off-roading dirt track by motorcyclists and cars. The site is classified as an Area of Ecological Importance under G.N. 400/96, as a Special Area of Conservation – International Importance under Government Notice No. 1379 of 2016, in accordance with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2016 (S.L. 549.44), a No Trapping Zone under S.L. 504.71 and is within a Natura2000 site.
Wetland data
Basic information
Wetland location:
Marine/Coastal
Wetland type:
Artificial
Wetland area:
1.90 Ha
Hydrological interaction:
-
Water salinity:
Salty (> 18.0 g/l)
Type of fresh water input:
Catchment area (precipitation)
Surface water runoff
Other
Open water area (%):
76 - 95
Hydroperiod:
Permanent
Geographic information
Census district:
Northern
Island:
Malta
Local council:
Il-Mellieha
Longitude:
14.395650 East
Latitude:
35.966810 North
Biological significance
Biological significance:
Low
Ramsar wetland type
Type
Coverage (%)
5 -- Salt exploitation sites; salt pans, salines, etc.
Property status
Public
Protection statuses
Protection status category
Protection status subcategory
Area's name
Code
Coverage area (%)
Legislation
National
Area of Ecological Importance
Irdumijiet Ta' Madwar il-Kosta mill-Irdum tal-Griebeg sa Il-Qala tal-Mistra fil-Mellieha/San Pawl il-Bahar
14775
100
Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
National
Area of High Landscape Value
Diversi Rdumijiet
555546316
100
Development Planning Act (Act VII of 2016)
International
Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance
L-Inhawi ta' l-Imgiebah / Tal-Mignuna
330723
100
Environment Protection Act (Act I of 2016)
CDDA protection status
CDDA code
CDDA category
MT01
Area of Ecological Importance
MT15
Area of High Landscape Value
MT11
Special Areas of Conservation - International Importance
Ecosystem services
Type of ecosystem service
Ecosystem service
Scale of Βenefit (%)
Importance
Cultural services
Cultural heritage
Supporting services
Provision of habitat
Activities on wetland
Activity
Intensity
020 = Resource conservation
High
340 = Salt works
High
690 = Other leisure and tourism impacts
Medium
800 = Landfill land reclamation and drying out
High
Activities on catchment area
Activity
Intensity
501 = paths tracks cycling tracks
High
Impacts
Impact
Intensity
EB- = Increase in aesthetic qualities
High
EE- = Increase of economic potential
High
EF- = Increase in protection from natural forces
Medium
EO- = Increase potential for natural products
High
EU- = Increase of tourist/recreation potential
Images
Nature Trust Malta. (2019). MtIsWet – Database of the Maltese Islands Wetlands. Updated: 03.2024