The State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment

CONTENTS

Foreword Preface Summary for Policy Makers

7 9 11

PART 1 Introduction to the Mediterranean Basin

15

The Ecosystem Approach to the Management of Human Activities The Mediterranean Basin and its Waters The Human Mediterranean Basin

17 19 26

PART 2 Human Pressure, State and Impacts on Mediterranean Ecosystems

37

Coastal Ecosystems and Landscapes Pollution Eutrophication Marine Litter Marine Noise Non-indigenous Species Commercially Exploited Fish and Shellfish Sea-floor Integrity Hydrographic Conditions Marine FoodWebs Biodiversity Cumulative and Concurrent Impacts

39 41 51 54 55 56 58 61 62 63 64 68

PART 3 Regulatory Framework, Major Findings and Gaps and Next Steps in the Ecosystem Approach Regional and Global Governance and Regulatory Instruments Major Findings on the Pressures and State of the Mediterranean Sea Environment Gap Analysis Next Steps in the Application of the Ecosystem Approach

71

73 84 85 86

Annex: List of endangered or threatened species References

88 90