Marine conservation challenges in an era of economic crisis and geopolitical instability: The case of the Mediterranean Sea

Stelios Katsanevakis, Noam Levin, Marta Coll, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Daniel Shkedi, Peter Mackelworth, Ran Levy, Adonis Velegrakis, Drosos Koutsoubas, Hrvoje Caric, Eran Brokovich, Bayram Öztürk, Salit Kark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In the Mediterranean Sea, socio-economic drivers may accelerate the process of exclusive economic zone (EEZ) declarations. Despite the challenges, the EEZ declarations may provide important opportunities for leveraging change to national policy towards the development of large-scale conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity in this zone. Using the Mediterranean Sea as a case study, we aim to highlight a set of best practices that will maximize the potential for the development of large-scale marine conservation initiatives. These include a range of approaches, such as using surrogates to fill the many biodiversity data gaps in the region, further the development of consistent and open access databases, and the utilization of technological developments to improve monitoring, research and surveillance of less accessible and under-explored marine areas. The integration of Mediterranean-wide and local conservation efforts, the facilitation of transboundary collaboration, and the establishment of regional funds for conservation will further enhance opportunities for marine conservation in this region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-39
Number of pages9
JournalMarine Policy
Volume51
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2015

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    SDG 14 Life Below Water
  2. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land

Keywords

  • Conservation opportunities
  • Data gaps
  • Exclusive economic zones
  • Marine conservation
  • Mediterranean
  • Transboundary collaboration

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aquatic Science
  • General Environmental Science
  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Law

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