Action Plan for the Conservation of Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean Sea

Overview

Within the framework of the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity (SPA/BD Protocol), the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention adopted a regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyans) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Although they are not legally binding instruments, Regional Action Plans are adopted by the Contracting Parties as strategic frameworks defining common priorities and actions to be implemented.

They promote the regional cooperation and coordination necessary for the conservation and sustainable management of the species and habitats concerned. This approach has proven essential to ensure their coherent protection across the Mediterranean.

Species concerned

The Action Plan covers cartilaginous fish species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, in particular those listed in Annexes II and III of the SPA/BD Protocol.

The chondrichthyan fish fauna of the Mediterranean comprises approximately 90 species including:

48 species of sharks
40 batoids
2 chimaeras

Due to their slow growth, late maturity and low fecundity, these species are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures.

Strategic orientation

The Action Plan is aimed at promoting:

The general conservation of the endangered chondrichthyan populations of the Mediterranean Sea, including supporting and promoting national and regional programmes on reducing bycatch and all other kind of disturbance.
The protection of chondrichthyan species, mainly those which are vulnerable and endangered;
The identification, the protection and the restoration of critical habitats, such as mating, spawning and nursery grounds;
The improvement of scientific knowledge by research and scientific monitoring, including the creating of regional standardised databases;
The recovery of depleted chondrichthyan stocks;
Public awareness and capacity-building about conservation of chondrichthyans.
Compliance with provisions of Annex II listings and Recommendations of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) through improved national legislation and effective national enforcement.

These objectives are supported by priority actions at national and regional levels.

Implementation

Implementation of the Action Plan is the responsibility of the national authorities of the Contracting Parties.

SPA/RAC ensures regional coordination, facilitates cooperation among countries and supports the development of technical guidance and capacity-building.

International organisations, NGOs, scientific institutions and laboratories may contribute to its implementation and, where appropriate, obtain the status of Action Plan Partner in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Contracting Parties.

List of the Regional Action Plan’ Partners

The list below has been approved by the Seventeenth Meeting of SPA/BD Focal Points, held in Istanbul from 20 to 22 May 2025.

ERA : Environment & Resources Authority (Malta)
OCEANA: Fundación Oceana – Oceana in Europe (Spain)
ISPRA: Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Italy)
MedPAN: The Mediterranean network of Marine Protected Areas Managers (France)
WWF Mediterranean: World Wide Fund for Nature – Mediterranean (Italy)
WWF NA: World Wide Fund for Nature – North Africa (Tunisia)