The government of Malta has formally protected three elasmobranch species, the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), and manta ray (Mobula mobular). Below is the legal notice of this action.

Legal Notice (LN) 161 of 1999

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT (ACT NO. V OF L-1991)
Flora and Fauna Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 1999

In virtue of the powers vested in him by Sections 32 and 33 of the Environment Protection Act, 1991, the Minister for the Environment has made the following regulations:

Citation.
L.N. 49 of 1992.
1. These regulations may be cited as the Flora and Fauna (Protection) (Amendment) Regulations, 1999 and shall be read and construed as one with the Flora and Fauna Protection Regulations, 1992, hereinafter referred to as 'the principal regulations'.

SCHEDULE II: PROTECTED FAUNA

ELASMOBRANCHII
Scientific name: Carcharodon carcharias*
English name: Great white shark
Maltese name: Kelb il-Bahar

Scientific name: Cetorhinus maximus
English name: Basking shark
Malteset name: Pixxitonnu

Scientific name: Mobula mobular
English name: Devil ray
Maltese name: Baqra/ Manta
/Raja tal-Qrun

Notes:
* In the case of this species, members responsible for public security and civil protection may take any necessary steps to ensure that there are no risks for bathers and for any other person in or at sea.