On 29–30 June, Trieste and Miramare will host SPAMI Day, the annual meeting of the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs)
Trieste, Italy, 29–30 June 2026 – For two days, Trieste will become the focal point of marine conservation in the Mediterranean by hosting SPAMI Day 2026, the annual gathering of the network of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs), promoted by the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) of the United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) and organized in collaboration with the Miramare Marine Protected Area.
The event—which will bring together representatives of SPA/RAC, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, ISPRA, managers of marine protected areas from across the Mediterranean basin, as well as scientists, researchers and experts engaged in marine and biodiversity conservation—will highlight the essential role of the SPAMI network in preserving the Mediterranean’s marine and coastal natural heritage and strengthening regional cooperation.
The choice of Trieste as host city for the 2026 edition carries particular significance. A city with a long-standing tradition of scientific research and international dialogue, Trieste is one of the Mediterranean’s leading centres of knowledge and innovation, while the Miramare Marine Protected Area stands as one of its most established examples of marine conservation and sustainable management. This year, Miramare is also celebrating the 40th anniversary of its establishment and has been included in the SPAMI List since 2008.
Throughout the two-day event, participants will discuss the main challenges facing the conservation of Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems, sharing experiences and achievements from across the SPAMI network. Some of the most successful management, conservation and habitat restoration initiatives implemented in Mediterranean protected areas—from Tunisia to Lebanon and from France to Italy—will be presented, providing concrete examples of the actions helping to safeguard one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
The first day will feature technical and institutional sessions focusing on marine ecosystem restoration—including case studies on Pinna nobilis, seagrass meadows and marine forests—scientific monitoring, effective management of marine protected areas and sustainable financing mechanisms. Presentations by SPAMI managers will highlight the value of international cooperation and knowledge-sharing as essential tools for addressing common challenges that transcend national borders.
The second day will be dedicated to discovering the Miramare Marine Protected Area, managed by WWF Italy since its establishment 40 years ago. Participants will learn about its research, environmental education, conservation and management activities, providing a tangible example of the contribution SPAMIs make to the protection of Mediterranean marine biodiversity.
The SPAMI network currently comprises 39 sites, covering 5.5% of the Mediterranean Sea—more than half of the total area currently protected through officially designated marine protected areas in the region. Recognized under the Barcelona Convention for their exceptional ecological value and excellence in management, SPAMIs represent the flagship sites of Mediterranean marine and coastal conservation.
Established in 2021 by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, SPAMI Day has become a major annual event aimed at strengthening the network of Mediterranean protected areas, showcasing achievements and fostering new collaborations in support of a more resilient and better protected Mediterranean.
“Hosting SPAMI Day at Miramare is both an honour and an opportunity to share our experience with managers and partners from across the Mediterranean. This gathering demonstrates the importance of cooperation among marine protected areas in strengthening the conservation of our region’s shared natural heritage,” said Maurizio Spoto, Director of the Miramare Marine Protected Area.
https://spami.medchm.net/en/2026-spami-day-programme
NOTES TO EDITORS
The List of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI List) was established under the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean of the Barcelona Convention.
SPAMIs are recognized for their ecological, scientific, cultural, aesthetic or educational value. They serve as reference sites for the conservation of the Mediterranean’s marine and coastal natural heritage and undergo periodic evaluation to ensure high standards of management and conservation.
Learn more: https://spami.medchm.net
