As its name suggests, the Maltese honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) is indigenous and endemic to the Maltese Islands. Although this creature is protected by law, another entity has just been established in the creature’s name: the Coalition for the Conservation of the Maltese Honeybee (Il-Koalizzjoni għall-Konservazzjoni tan-Naħla Maltija).

The Coalition, established on 17th July 2022, highlighted their main purpose and five main objectives in an introductory Facebook post.

The coalition’s main purpose is to formulate and carry out 'an action plan for the Maltese Honeybee’s conservation’.

On the other hand, its five main objectives – based on the core principle of conservation – are as follows:

• For the Maltese Honeybee’s importance to be recognised in terms of our national ecology, beekeeping and agricultural sectors.
• For the Maltese Honeybee to be recognised as part of Malta’s natural heritage, and thus should be conserved in a holistic manner.
• To encourage knowledge and research about the Maltese endemic Honeybee, as well as its breeding.
• To assemble and coordinate various entities, individuals and NGOs that are interested in the Maltese Honeybee’s conservation.
• To emphasise the importance of legislation that would protect the Maltese Honeybee in a holistic way.

If you’d like to learn more about the Coalition and their mission of holistic conservation, make sure to follow their Facebook page.

 Koalizzjoni għall-Konservazzjoni tan-Naħla Maltija/Facebook