The SPA/BD Protocol establishes detailed obligations for the protection and conservation of species listed in its Annexes II and III. In this context, regional action plans for individual species or groups of species provide an effective framework for guiding, coordinating and strengthening conservation efforts across Mediterranean countries and for safeguarding the region’s marine biodiversity.
To date, Mediterranean countries have adopted eight regional Action Plans or Strategies. These Action Plans provide medium-term regional strategic frameworks and are subject to review and updating every five years, based on a comprehensive assessment of their implementation at both regional and national levels.
For the 2026–2027 biennium, the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, at their 24th Meeting (COP 24, Cairo, 2–5 December 2026), requested SPA/RAC to update two regional Action Plans.
In this context, SPA/RAC is launching this call for consultancy to:
- assess the implementation of the Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Vegetation in the Mediterranean Sea at regional and national levels;
- identify achievements, gaps and emerging conservation needs; and
- prepare an updated and strengthened version of the Action Plan, taking into account recent regional and global commitments, including those related to the restoration of seagrass meadows, particularly Posidonia oceanica.
The updated Action Plan will be submitted for consideration to the relevant governance bodies of the Barcelona Convention.