Report: Scoping meeting to support Mediterranean States to meet the World Summit target on Networks in Marine Protected Areas

The Mediterranean Marine Group, an expert group of the World Commission on Protected Areas, is collaborating with the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation in launching a process to establish an ecologically and culturally representative network of marine areas within a strategically-planned and operational institutional framework. The process will also contribute to creating cabilities that will support existing networks such as the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Interest (SPAMI) and Natura 2000. The initiative forms part of a process to assist the coastal countries of the Mediterranean in reaching the 2012 objectives for marine protected areas set at the Johanesburgo Summit (2002).

Discussion Paper: How many marine protected areas exist in the Western Mediterranean?

A preliminary analysis by the IUCN's Centre of Cooperation for the Mediterranean in discussion paper form has presented an updated list of west Mediterranean marine protected areas. Presenting essential information such as their location, type of regulation, administrative management, ecology, uses and restrictions, for the first time it also covers marine protected areas designated by Fishery Ministries.

The Effectiveness of Protected Areas at the regional level is assessed and knowledge on improved management is shared.

IUCN’s knowledge and expertise on protected areas are shared to promote conservation of natural areas in the Mediterranean and build the capacity of stakeholders.

Mediterranean Programme knowledge and activities are communicated to members, partners and relevant actors

Protected areas in the Mediterranean: Egypt

Within a programme funded by Italian Cooperation and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the IUCN-Med contributes to a specialist team engaged in a programme working to create a representative network of protected areas in Egypt. It is also involved in a series of conservation activities to improve the management of three protected areas in the Siwa Oasis and the Wadi Rayan and Gabal Elba national parks. This a three-year programme will develop a management plan for Wadi Raya, recently declared Heritage of Mankind for its whale and mangrove swamp fossils in a dune and desert terrain. The project is funded by the Italian Government.

New approaches are undertaken to enable Protected areas to act as vehicles for the promotion of improved livelihoods in the Mediterranean.

IUCN’s knowledge and expertise on protected areas are shared to promote conservation of natural areas in the Mediterranean and build the capacity of stakeholders

Permanent association between the Mediterranean protected areas

Within the project 'Permanent association between the Mediterranean protected areas ', the IUCN-Med and the Turin Polytechnic’s European Documentation Centre on Nature Park Planning have conducted research to promote the cohesion of the territories of Southern Europe, which has been presented at the Interreg IIIB Medocc Programme. European project partners are: Federparchi (Italy), Parc Nature Régional du Luberon (France), Parc Naturel Régional de Corse (France), Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue (France), Junta de Andalucía (Spain), Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain), Diputació de Barcelona (Spain), Regione Emilia Romagna (Italy), Legambiente (Italy).

IUCN’s knowledge and expertise on protected areas are shared to promote conservation of natural areas in the Mediterranean and build the capacity of stakeholders.

Multi-country / transboundary actions for biodiversity conservation are supported.

North-South linkages between IUCN members are strengthened to support delivery of the Mediterranean Programme and promote the Union’s mission and vision

Support to the declaration process towards the Transcontinental Biosphere Reserve in Andalucia

IUCN-Med is using its knowledge and international experience to support the UNESCO declaration process towards the Transcontinental Reserve between Andalucia and Morocco. This project expects to promote a sustainable model through the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. IUCN-Med is also supporting fundraising to support the actions required for the declaration process.

North-South linkages between IUCN members are strengthened to support delivery of the Mediterranean Programme and promote the Union’s mission and vision.

IUCN’s knowledge and expertise on protected areas are shared to promote conservation of natural areas in the Mediterranean and build the capacity of stakeholders

IUCN support to Libya

In September 2005, the Libya’s Environment General Authority (EGA), in collaboration with WWF, organised a meeting in Trípoli to discuss with IUCN plans of implementing a strategy of marine protected areas in Eastern Libya. Approximately 80 tourism projects have been planned for the Libyan coast. The initiative includes a basic proposal for zoning 250 km of the coastline in line with the natural values of the marine ecosystem. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss greater international cooperation between the EGA, RAC/SPA, WWF and IUCN. Key areas of cooperation for the coming years were identified, as were support to providing a legal and institutional framework for marine protected areas and the development of Red Lists.

IUCN’s knowledge and expertise on protected areas are shared to promote conservation of natural areas in the Mediterranean and build the capacity of stakeholders.

A Mediterranean representative system of marine protected areas is promoted