Granulometry data were collected by box-corer during the Mediterranean Trawl Survey (MEDITS) between the years 2004-2008 (excluding 2006). This dataset were gathered from various stations (80 in total), and were classified as follows: coarse silt, medium silt and very coarse silt; and fine sand, medium sand and very fine sand.These data were gathered on DFA’s own initiative in order to gather baseline data about the substratum, which influences the distribution of the fishing resources within GSA 15. While maerl data was obtained from photos of the MEDITS stations sampled between 2005 and 2011 as well as Van veen Grab samples collected during the Mediterranean Trawl Survey (MEDITS) between the years 2004-2008 (excluding 2006). These data were gathered on DFA's own initiative in order to gather baseline data about the substratum, which influences the distribution of the fishing resources within the GSA 15.These data was included as part of the dataset used for one of the co-financed EU LIFE+ Funding Programmes - LIFE BaĦAR for N2K project.

Natura 2000 - SCIs & SPAs data harmonised according INSPIRE Protected Sites data theme. The submission of sites to the EC entails the preparation of a datasheet and a map for each site, that is for each proposed SCI and for each SPA, unless a proposed SCI has the exact boundary as an SPA; in the latter case only one datasheet is prepared comprising all relevant information. Reference can be made to the Natura 2000 viewer - including datasheets (link: http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/) and to the Natura 2000 database (link: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/natura-2000/) to obtain information on each Natura 2000 site for almost all of the EU Member States. Information for the sites nominated by Malta are also available through these same links.

The submission of sites to the EC entails the preparation of a datasheet and a map for each site, that is for each proposed SCI and for each SPA, unless a proposed SCI has the exact boundary as an SPA; in the latter case only one datasheet is prepared comprising all relevant information. Reference can be made to the Natura 2000 viewer - including datasheets (link: http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/) and to the Natura 2000 database (link: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/natura-2000/) to obtain information on each Natura 2000 site for almost all of the EU Member States. Information for the sites nominated by Malta are also available through these same links.

Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas across the European Union, with the aim of affording protection to habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest. Conservation and management measures have to be established and implemented to ensure that the condition of the natural habitats and species for which the protected areas have been designated, is maintained and/or restored, in order to ensure their long-term survival/existence.

The submission of sites to the EC entails the preparation of a datasheet and a map for each site, that is for each proposed SCI and for each SPA, unless a proposed SCI has the exact boundary as an SPA; in the latter case only one datasheet is prepared comprising all relevant information. Reference can be made to the Natura 2000 viewer - including datasheets (link: http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/) and to the Natura 2000 database (link: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/natura-2000/) to obtain information on each Natura 2000 site for almost all of the EU Member States. Information for the sites nominated by Malta are also available through these same links.

The baseline defining the boundary between land and sea.