Dusky Grouper Maltese Coastal waters research

Presence and Conservation of the Dusky Grouper in Maltese coastal waters

Research into the conservation of the Dusky Grouper in Maltese coastal waters has been ongoing for some years by the Conservation Biology Research Group at the University of Malta with outcomes relating to its local and global population genetic structure.

Expanding on this work, the current status of this vulnerable species is being assessed through a research project on its presence and conservation needs
in Maltese coastal waters.

The Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List and has been reported as declining dramatically in Maltese waters.

Please access the sighting form on the following link: Dusky Research Form

This form will only require 5 minutes of your time and your response is of great help towards the conservation of the Dusky Grouper.  This form will allow any interested persons/scuba divers/fishermen to supplement ongoing field efforts with their sighting contributions (citizen science). Any videos or photographs will be greatly appreciated and duly referenced. Due to the vulnerability of the species in question data will not be shared but used to investigate the status of the species and its conservation requirements.

Please feel free to share with peers, friends and dive buddies! This form may be filled in more than once, for various locations or different encounters. The participation of this form is completely anonymous, personal data will not be shared. You must be 18 years or older in order to participate.

For further information, visit  BICREF SITE   or please contact:

Researcher, Martina Busuttil, email: martina.f.busuttil.17@um.edu.mt
Principal Project Supervisor, Prof. Adriana Vella, email: adriana.vella@um.edu.mt
Conservation Biology Research Group, Dept. of Biology, University of Malta.