Progress report for
Towards an ecologically representative and efficiently managed network of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas
Achievement at a glance
Recent monitoring and assessment work by the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention system under its Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) has confirmed the positive impacts of Mediterranean MPAs and networks of MPAs on several biodiversity-related ecological objectives defined towards the achievement of the Good Environmental Status of the Mediterranean. \r\n\r\nAround 1,220 MPAs and OECMs now cover 8.9 per cent of the Mediterranean through a large variety of conservation designations. To reach the 10 per cent quantitative part of the Aichi Target 11, an additional 27,686 km2 (1.1 per cent of the Mediterranean) would need to be placed under protection designations. There is also a need to establish MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction to protect deep-sea habitats. To that end, the extension of the network of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs) under the Barcelona Convention\'s Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA/BD Protocol), which presently includes 39 sites, constitutes an important measure to support the conservation of the Mediterranean natural heritage.Challenges faced in implementation
The building of a comprehensive, coherent and well-managed network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is a priority in the Mediterranean region, but MPAs critically lack permanent funding for operating costs. To date, around 1,220 MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) cover around 8.9 per cent of the Mediterranean Sea [from 6.81 (2016) to 8.9 (2019)]. However, only 10 per cent of marine areas covered by conservation measures duly implement management plans due to the lack of financial resources and technical capacity, as well as legal and policy gaps. \r\n\r\nBeneficiaries
Mediterranean countries and people
Actions
The establishment of a connected, ecologically representative, effectively managed and monitored network of Mediterranean MPAs contributes to the long-term conservation of key elements of the marine biodiversity and gives significant support to the sustainable development of the region through the following achievements:- Collection and analysis of data on Mediterranean MPA coverage and management towards an updated version of the Mediterranean database on MPAs (MAPAMED) and the elaboration of the periodical reports on the status of MPAs in the Mediterranean;
- Establishment of an Ad hoc Group of Experts for MPAs in the Mediterranean (AGEM) to provide scientific advice and technical assistance to UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention;
- At national level, ecological characterization of three marine sites suitable to be declared as MPAs in Lebanon, elaboration of management plans of the Sallum MPA (Egypt), the Jbel Moussa future MPA (Morocco) and the North-Eastern part of Kerkennah Islands future MPA (Tunisia).