The Mediterranean Context

The first marine protected areas in the Mediterranean were created by the beginning of the sixties, Mljet Island National Park in the former Republic of Yugoslavia (1960) and Port Cros National Park in France (1963).The marine surface under protection in the Mediterranean is currently over 500.000 ha. Most of them are in the Northern part of the sea.

Marine protected areas effectively managed play an important role to help protect fragile marine ecosystems, preserve natural marine heritage, enhance the sustainable use of marine resources and promote local economic activities.

Political framework

The Mediterranean was the first region in the world to put into operation a Regional Seas Programme, the Specially Protected Area (SPA) Protocol to the Convention of Barcelona (1996).

Three international schemes for ecological networks apply to the region: Emerald, Natura 2000 and the network of Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI). The latter is the only one referred to marine and coastal protected areas. No co-ordination currently exists between these three international instruments, but this issue highlights some elements to foster a closer co-operation.

IUCN-Med is contributing to the Barcelona Convention by building links with the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) in Tunisia.

The IUCN-Med office is developing a range of activities to support the Mediterranean coastal states in their commitment to reach the marine protected area network goals by 2012, set at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

Type of Marine Protected Areas

In the Mediterranean, marine protected areas can be created by different bodies and with different goals.

• Protected areas to conserve diversity of life according three aspects of biodiversity: ecosystem diversity (habitat and species), species richness and genetic diversity.
• Protected areas as a tool for fishery management (fishery reserve), traditionally designated by Fishery authorities to enhance the resource of commercial fishes; and
• Protected areas aiming at the conservation of submarine cultural heritage, usually designated by authorities of both Culture and Sea.
  

For further information, please contact
François Simard.