The first initiative on the effectiveness management of the coastal and marine protected areas was under the project Improving Coverage and Management Effectiveness of marine and coastal protected areas financed by GEF (950,000 USD) with contribution of the Albanian Ministry of Environment (300,000 USD) and UNDP (100,000 USD) and in-kind support from a variety of parallel projects.
With the UNDP support, in 2010, the Albanian government established the marine area near Karaburuni peninsula and Sazani Island as Marine Protected Area (MPA). The above project provided technical support to the country in the definition of the new MPA management structure, roles and responsibilities key personnel, and in the establishment and operationalization of the Administration unit for Karaburuni-Sazani MPA.
The institutional progress culminated with the establishment of the National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA) as the central state institution responsible for the management and administration of PA and with the preparation and approval of the new law on Protected Areas.
The project Improving Coverage and Management Effectiveness of marine and coastal protected areas was designed to improve the coverage and management effectiveness of Albanias network of MCPAs as an essential complement to its network of terrestrial protected areas (PAs) and contribute to Albanias obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the EU accession process. Significant achievements were made in this area by catalyzing the involvement of stakeholders in the designation process and management of the pilot MPA site, Karaburuni-Sazani in Vlora Bay and by supporting the establishment of a clear institutional and legal framework for MCPA designation and management. However, multiple stages of development are needed before an Albanian ecologically representative MCPA network is fully realized and can provide coastal communities with sustained benefits from the marine and coastal environment.
To ensure comprehensive and effective management of the coastal and marine environment of Albania, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation will work in collaboration with UNDP Albania and the National Agency for Protected Areas (NAPA) to improve the coverage of marine and coastal protected areas throughout Albania that complement the existing system of terrestrial parks.
The project will focus on developing a scientifically designed, stakeholder supported network of MCPAs to effectively protect 30% of representative marine and coastal habitats of Albania. The design of the network aims to provide ecosystem benefits while supporting healthy fisheries (increase in diversity, density, biomass and reproductive capacity) and livelihoods for fishers and their families; providing livelihood diversification opportunities such as sustainable tourism development based on a healthy environment; and build an ecosystem resilient to climate and human induced impacts.