COP24 of the Barcelona Convention: Key Outcomes and Biodiversity Priorities for the Mediterranean
The 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24), which also marks the Convention’s 50th anniversary— takes place from 2 to 5 December 2025 in Cairo, bringing together Mediterranean countries, the European Union, regional organisations, MAP Partners and experts to strengthen collective action for the protection of the marine and coastal environment. This […]
Sub-regional training on monitoring the IMAP Common Indicator 24 on the interaction between marine litter and sea turtles
17–18 November 2025 – Sea Turtle Rescue and Research Center (INSTM), Monastir, Tunisia SPA/RAC organized a two-day sub-regional training workshop to strengthen national capacities for monitoring the interaction between marine litter and sea turtles, specifically the ingestion and entanglement. The workshop brought together representatives from Algeria, Egypt and Libya participating in the Marine Litter MED PLUS project […]
Towards a More Participatory, Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Implementation of IMAP in Libya
From 7 to 11 October 2025, a national training workshop was held in the Farwa Lagoon Marine Protected Area, Libya. Organized by SPA/RAC under the EU-funded SEMPA project, in close collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Environment and the NGO Beseda, and with the support of WWF North Africa through the GEF-funded MedProgramme CP 3.1 […]
Publication of the Proceedings of the Third Mediterranean Symposium on Ecology and Conservation of Marine and Coastal Bird Species and the Djerba Declaration
The Mediterranean Symposium on Ecology and Conservation of Marine and Coastal Bird Species is a key platform for sharing knowledge and fostering cooperation on bird conservation in the Mediterranean. Its first two editions, held in 2005 and 2015, played a pivotal role in launching significant national and regional initiatives to monitor and protect these species. […]
Building Capacity for IMAP Implementation in Libya
As part of the SEMPA project, funded by the European Union, SPA/RAC is organizing a series of capacity-building training sessions in Libya, focusing on strengthening the implementation of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) of the Barcelona Convention. The event is taking place in the Farwa Lagoon Marine Protected Area, from 7 to 11 […]
Sub-Regional Workshop on the conservation and management of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean
SPA/RAC, Plan Bleu, WWF Mediterranean and WWF North Africa jointly organized, from 24 to 26 September 2025 in Tunis, a sub-regional workshop entitled: “Bridging Science and Policy for Shark and Ray Conservation and Management: Advancing research, management tools, and socio-economic understanding in the Southern Mediterranean”. This workshop brought together scientific experts, representatives of national and […]
Safeguarding Cartilaginous Fishes in the Southern Adriatic
An initiative by Sharklab ADRIA, supported by SPA/RAC, to strengthen awareness, capacity building, and conservation in Albania. In the Mediterranean, more than half of shark, skate and ray species are threatened. Their decline is driven by overfishing, habitat degradation, and limited awareness among stakeholders. Improving their conservation status requires not only stronger management measures, but […]
Guardian Sharks – Shedding light on the role of elasmobranchs in the Adriatic Sea
An initiative by HIPPOCAMPUS, supported by SPA/RAC, to highlight the ecological role of sharks and rays in sustaining ecosystem resilience. Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are among the most endangered marine species in the Adriatic Sea, affected by overfishing, habitat degradation and lack of awareness. At the same time, the region faces a surge in invasive […]
Strengthening Citizen Science for Shark Conservation in Montenegro
An initiative by the Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro, supported by SPA/RAC, to enhance reporting of elasmobranch bycatch. Sharks and rays are among the most threatened marine species in the Mediterranean. In Montenegro, the lack of data on their occurrence and incidental catches poses a major challenge for conservation. Fishers are […]
Mediterranean Regional Workshop on Target 3 – Advancing cooperation and solutions for 30×30 in the Mediterranean
From 2 to 5 June 2025, Montpellier hosted the Mediterranean Regional Workshop on Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Organized by the French Government, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC N&P), UNEP/MAP and its Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC), with the support of several technical partners, the workshop gathered […]
Unlocking Collaborative Pathways in Shark Conservation across the Adriatic
An initiative developed by WWF Adria with SPA/RAC support, to promote citizen science and fisher engagement through the tShark platform. Sharks and rays are among the most threatened marine species in the Mediterranean. To conserve them effectively, scientists need to understand their movements and life cycles. Tagging provides crucial data, but without recapture reporting—when […]
Voices of the Deep
An initiative by the Royal Albania Foundation supported by SPA/RAC, to raise awareness on the conservation of sharks and rays in Albania. In the Mediterranean, more than half of shark and ray species are threatened. Improving their conservation status requires action at different levels. Information and awareness, which can influence more sustainable practices, are particularly […]
SPA/RAC at the Final Event of the LIFE PINNA Project
This initiative aims to save the Mediterranean fan mussel, Pinna nobilis, from extinction. On 17 September 2025, SPA/RAC participated online in the final workshop of the LIFE Pinna project in Piran, Slovenia, dedicated to saving the critically endangered Pinna nobilis. The event gathered experts and stakeholders to share knowledge on restocking strategies, larval collection methods, and broader […]
HA, YES – HAVE You Ever eaten a Shark?
An initiative by CESTHA supported by SPA/RAC, to reduce the consumption of threatened shark species. In the Mediterranean, more than half of shark and ray species are threatened. Improving their conservation status requires action at different levels. Information and awareness, which can influence more sustainable practices, are particularly crucial. In Italy, and specifically in […]
Protecting Adriatic Sharks and Rays
Six awareness small projects supported by SPA/RAC, MASE and GEF Sharks and rays—known collectively as cartilaginous fishes—play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Yet in the Mediterranean, more than half of these species are classified as threatened, facing mounting pressure from accidental catches, habitat degradation, and unsustainable fishing and consumption practices. In response […]
Mediterranean Regional Communiqué on priorities for achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 Target: A unified approach towards biodiversity conservation
Mediterranean Regional Workshop on Target 3 – Montpellier, France, 2 – 5 June 2025 Mediterranean Regional Communiqué on priorities for achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 Target: A unified approach towards biodiversity conservation Montpellier, June 5, 2025 1. Introduction From 2 to 5 June 2025, Convention on Biological Diversity focal points and representatives of […]
SPA/RAC at the LIFE PINNA Webinar – Restocking of Pinna nobilis in the Mediterranean
SPA/RAC participated in the LIFE PINNA Webinar, held on 14 May 2025, which focused on the restocking of Pinna nobilis in the Mediterranean. The event provided a platform for crucial discussions on the recovery of this iconic and critically endangered species. The webinar highlighted findings from the LIFE PINNA and other European projects, with a focus on […]
Annual Consultative Meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems and Coastal Partners
The Annual Consultative Meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and Coastal Partners serves as a global platform for knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue. It brings together key actors in coastal management, marine science, and biodiversity conservation to share insights and foster collaboration. SPA/RAC took an active part in this important gathering, which brings together stakeholders […]