With the ultimate objective of achieving the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the Mediterranean Sea, the project aims to support the Southern Mediterranean Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention to implement the Ecosystem Approach Roadmap agreed in Decision IG. 21/3, with a particular focus on the establishment of integrated monitoring programmes in line with the Decision IG.22/7 on Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP).
The implementation of this Decision will enable for the first time an integrated quantitative monitoring and assessment of the status of the Mediterranean sea and coast on a regional basis, covering biodiversity, non-indigenous species, coast, hydrography, pollution and marine litter.
In addition, the project addresses some specific challenges of the EcAp Roadmap implementation, and as such aims at strengthening science-policy interface, addressing sub-regional implementation needs, and responding to data and information needs in the Mediterranean region.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
September 2018
Substantive progress achieved by Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in the implementation of the IMAP
September 2018
Strengthening of sub-regional cooperation in IMAP implementation in the Mediterranean region
September 2018
Stronger science-policy interface in the Mediterranean for implementation of the Ecosystem Approach
September 2018
IMAP related data-management, including quality assurance is strengthened in the Mediterranean
