The State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment

Gap Analysis

forts by the international scientific community. Knowledge of marine and coastal biodiversity is not homogeneous through- out the Mediterranean and has many gaps. Even information on the Specially Protected Areas and Biodiversity Protocol species and habitats, which are of conservation interest in the Mediter- ranean, is sometimes limited. There are also gaps in understanding of the impacts of human activity on marine and coastal biodiversity. The gaps exist at several levels: scientific knowledge, availability of legal tools, enforcement of existing laws, public awareness, concrete action and operative plan implementation. Finally, mapping available data is an important step in assess- ing the state of the environment. Currently, such mapping is inadequate in the Mediterranean region. A Mediterranean-wide inventory of critical habitats–sea grass beds, intact rocky shore- lines, persistent frontal systems, estuaries, deepwater coral as- semblages and sea mounts–could provide basic information on areas associated with high delivery of ecosystem services. Much of the information already exists or is currently being collected through national reporting or regional projects. This informa- tion should be mapped in the next phase of ECAP and added to existing map layers to support GIS analysis. Identifying areas subject to multiple threats will give Mediterranean countries a clearer picture of the overall state of the Mediterranean coastal and marine environment.

Currently, there is a general lack of information about some pres- sures, as well as insufficient consistently collected data to estab- lish trends. Where quantification is possible, it remains challeng- ing to link ecological impacts to particular stressors or pressures. However, monitoring undertaken to meet the obligations of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols has provided a starting point for developing a systematic monitoring regime that will provide the needed information in the future. There are also critical gaps in the information available on the ecology and environmental status of offshore areas, especially areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). These areas are signifi- cant, and little or no monitoring and surveillance currently takes place there. Therefore, expanding research to include offshore pelagic environments and the deep sea is recommended. The Barcelona Convention provides a useful framework for coopera- tion in this regard and some work has already been undertaken as witnessed by the establishment of a SPAMI in the Areas Be- yond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Pelagos Sanctuary or the work carried out regarding identification of Ecologically or Bio- logically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the Mediterranean, which was acknowledged at the last meeting of Contracting Parties (2012). Inclusion of offshore considerations will ensure that fu- ture management is more ecosystem-based.

Overall, the rich marine biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea remains relatively little-known, despite increasing research ef-

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REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, MAJOR FINDINGS AND GAPS AND NEXT STEPS IN THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH