Public Consultation Feedback: European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

 The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the European Commission's initiative to simplify the implementation of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and to transpose the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies into EU law.

While reducing unnecessary administrative burdens is important, regulatory simplification should not overlook the social dimensions of fisheries and maritime policy. The Commission itself identifies challenges relating to employment, labour conditions, support for small-scale fisheries, and generational renewal. These are fundamentally social issues, which reinforce the need to integrate Social Impact Assessment (SIA) principles into the policy process, even where a full impact assessment is not undertaken.

The MSA recommends that particular consideration be given to the realities of small island states such as Malta, where coastal communities face unique structural challenges, including limited territorial space, climate change, competing coastal uses, tourism pressures, and dependence on marine resources. In such contexts, seemingly technical regulatory changes may have significant social consequences.

The Association also welcomes the EU Strategy for Coastal Communities, which recognises the importance of locally led solutions, resilient coastal economies, and vibrant coastal communities. EMFAF implementation should be fully aligned with this vision by recognising fisheries not only as an economic sector but also as a source of cultural heritage, social cohesion, community resilience, and sustainable local development.

The MSA further recommends that EMFAF continue to prioritise small-scale and artisanal fisheries, which make important contributions to local employment, food security, social and cultural cohesion, maritime heritage, and environmentally sustainable fishing practices. At the same time, public funding should avoid reinforcing forms of industrial fishing that contribute to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and unequal competition that undermines the livelihoods and long-term viability of small-scale fishers.

Future monitoring of EMFAF should extend beyond administrative efficiency and financial absorption to include social indicators relating to employment quality, generational renewal, community resilience, social inclusion, and the wellbeing of coastal communities. Such an approach would strengthen evidence-informed policymaking and contribute to environmentally sustainable, socially just, and resilient fisheries governance across the European Union.

Public Consultation Feedback: European Opean Act

 The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the European Commission's initiative to develop a European Ocean Act as an important opportunity to strengthen integrated, sustainable and resilient ocean governance across the European Union.

The MSA recommends that the European Ocean Act explicitly mainstream Social Impact Assessment (SIA) throughout the policy cycle. While environmental and economic assessments are well established within maritime governance, the social dimensions of ocean policies often receive comparatively limited attention. Yet marine policies can have significant implications for coastal communities, employment, social cohesion, cultural heritage, public health, livelihoods, and social equity.

A systematic SIA framework would strengthen evidence-informed policymaking by identifying both intended and unintended social consequences, supporting meaningful stakeholder participation, and improving policy coherence across maritime sectors. This is particularly relevant for small island states such as Malta, where coastal communities are closely interconnected with environmental, economic and cultural systems, and where relatively small policy changes may generate significant social impacts.

The MSA also encourages the European Commission to recognise the growing contribution of marine social sciences to ocean governance. Recent scholarship has highlighted the need to integrate social scientific knowledge alongside ecological and economic evidence in addressing complex marine challenges. Embedding SIA within the European Ocean Act would represent a practical and effective mechanism for achieving this objective while contributing to socially just, resilient and sustainable blue economy policies.

Reference: 

Penca, J., Ertör, I., Ballesteros, M. et al. Rethinking the Blue Economy: Integrating social science for sustainability and justice. npj Ocean Sustain 4, 40 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00138-1 

Public Consultation Feedback: The First Update of Malta's National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP)

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the First Update of Malta's National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) as an important contribution towards improving environmental quality and public health.

The MSA recommends that the implementation and future revisions of the Programme explicitly mainstream Social Impact Assessment (SIA) alongside environmental and economic considerations. Air pollution is not only an environmental issue but also a social one, with unequal impacts across different population groups, particularly children, older persons, people with chronic health conditions, lower-income households, and communities exposed to higher levels of pollution.

The MSA also encourages the Programme to adopt a stronger social rights perspective, recognising clean air as an essential component of health, well-being, and quality of life. Policies aimed at reducing emissions should be designed to maximise social benefits while ensuring that the costs and benefits of the transition are distributed fairly across society.

Embedding SIA within the NAPCP would strengthen evidence-informed policymaking by identifying potential social impacts, supporting meaningful stakeholder participation, and promoting more equitable and socially sustainable environmental policies. Such an approach would contribute to a healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive Malta.

Summer Social Event - Friday 21 August 2026

  📅 Date: Friday 21st August 2026

🕢 Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Balzunetta Restaurant, Floriana

This event is open to all MSA members, and you're more than welcome to bring along your family and friends.

Enjoy a delicious meal as we unwind and catch up before the summer ends! 

The menu can be accessed through this link: https://balzunetta.mt/food-menu/

📝 RSVP by Monday 17th August

Secure your spot by filling in the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/RiQKEsGSJfBkJwV46

The Malta Sociology Conference 2026 - Early Bird Registration is now open. Register Now!

 The Malta Sociological Association will be organising the Malta Sociology Conference 2026 on Saturday 7 November morning at the Salina Visitor Centre. 

The theme of this year's conference, which is sponsored by APS Bank, is Sustainability and Society. The Early Bird Registration is Now Open!

To register:

Early Bird fees: Free for members; 30 Euro for non-members Valid until: 31st August 2026.  

Conference fees after 31st August: 15 Euro for members; 35 Euro for non-members

To join or renew your membership with the MSA click here

To register for the conference click here 

MSA Newsletter vol. 4 no 2

 

MSA Public Consultation Feedback: Citizens Omnibus Initiative – reducing administrative burdens

 The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the European Commission's initiative to identify opportunities for simplification, better implementation, and the reduction of unnecessary administrative burdens affecting citizens.

The MSA emphasizes that efforts to streamline legislation and public administration should be informed by robust Social Impact Assessment (SIA). Administrative simplification can have significant social consequences, both intended and unintended, particularly for vulnerable groups, social inclusion, access to services, participation, and social cohesion.

We therefore recommend the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessment across relevant EU policy-making processes, in line with internationally recognised guidance such as the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) principles and guidelines. Where the Commission identifies the need for further impact assessment in relation to this initiative, such assessment should explicitly include a Social Impact Assessment component, ensuring that proposed measures are evaluated not only in terms of efficiency and administrative burden reduction, but also in terms of their effects on citizens, communities, social equity, and quality of life.

A stronger social dimension in impact assessment would contribute to evidence-based, citizen-centred policy making and help ensure that simplification measures deliver tangible benefits while safeguarding social wellbeing across the European Union.