UNEP / GEF / SP-MED-LME Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem Regional Component: Implementation of agreed actions for the protection of the environmental resources of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal areas. (EP/INT/602/GEF) GFCM/SCs meetings/Kavala, September 2007

UNEP Barcelona Convention SAP MED Strategic Action Plan to Address Pollution from Land-Based Activities Mediterranean Action Plan (Athens) SAP BIO Strategic Action Plan for the Conservation of the Biological Diversity RAC/SPA (Tunis) Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem – Regional Component: Implementation of agreed actions for the protection of the environmental resources of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal areas FAO input on fisheries

Implementing AgencyUNEP Executing AgencyCoordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP-MEDU) and its associated Regional Activity Centers (RACs): Cleaner Production (CP/RAC); Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC); Priority Actions Programme (PAP/RAC); and Information (INFO/RAC) GEF Executive Agency with Expanded Opportunities The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Co-Executing agenciesGeneral Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO/HP); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean (GWP-Med); Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE); Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP), and MEDPOL.

12 eligible countries Albania Algeria Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Egypt Lebanon The Palestinian Authority also participates Libya Morocco Montenegro Syria Tunisia Turkey Note: Country focal points belong to the Environment ministries, not Fisheries

4 Components 1: Integrated approaches for the implementation of the SAPs and NAPs: ICZM IWRM and management of coastal aquifers 2: Pollution from land based activities including Persistent Organic Pollutants: implementation of SAP MED and related NAPs. 3. Conservation of biological diversity: Implementation of SAP BIO and related NAPs 4. Project Co-ordination Replication and Communication Strategies Management and M&E

Component 3. Conservation of biological diversity: Implementation of SAP BIO and related NAPs 3.1: Conservation of Coastal and Marine Diversity through Development of a Mediterranean MPA Network 3.2. Promote the Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources in the Mediterranean through Ecosystem-based Management Approaches FAO/GFCM leadership in one sub-activity. Not GEF funded. RAC/SPA – WWF Leadership of the subcomponent FAO/GFCM leadership of the whole subcomponent

3.1 MPAs 3.2 Fisheries New MPAs EAF Bycatch reduction Usustainable fishing practices 3 Implementation of SAP/BIO Identify EAF priorities Apply EAF to research and management Legal reforms Risk assessment Demonstrable solutions Identify areas MPAs on high seas

Countries involved Identify high seas fisheries protected areas Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Egypt, Syria Identify regional EAF priorities Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro Apply EAF to fisheries management Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro Legal reform for EAF implementation Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro Risk assessment to priorities interactions Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria Demonstrate Bycatch mitigation solutions Morocco, Algeria, Turkey Identify areas with significant impacts Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria

Subcomponent 3.1: Conservation of Coastal and Marine Diversity through Development of a Mediterranean MPA Network Activity 3.1.2: Identification and planning of new MPAs to extend the regional network and enhance its ecological representiveness Sub activity New fisheries-based MPAs in international waters (High Seas): Enhanced collaboration of riparian countries for the creation of up to 3 SPAMIs in international waters

Sub-Component 3.2. Promote the Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources in the Mediterranean through Ecosystem-based Management Approaches Activity 3.2.1: Establishment of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management at regional and sub-regional levels Activity 3.2.2: Reduction of bycatch of regionally important species at a fleet level Activity 3.2.3: Identification and addressing of unsustainable fishing practices at regionally representative MPA sites

Activity 3.2.1: Establishment of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management at regional and sub-regional levels Identify regional needs and priorities for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into fisheries research and management in four countries (Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro): practical directions to enhance the full development of EAF-based research supporting the implementation of policies to address the impact of fisheries on marine biodiversity and ecosystems Implement biodiversity conservation and ecosystem approach into fisheries research and management in four countries (Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro): integration of ecosystem and environmental considerations in effective fisheries management policy Development of legal and management reforms to ensure the long-term limitation of fishing impacts on biodiversity and marine ecosystems in four countries (Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro): Overall fishing impacts on biodiversity and marine ecosystems are greatly reduced over the long-term.

Activity 3.2.2: Reduction of bycatch of regionally important species at a fleet level Risk assessment to prioritise regional threats to vulnerable fish and fisheries interactions with iconic vertebrate species in five countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, priority will be given to the 3 countries involved in ): to assess the scale and drivers for the bycatch on vulnerable species (sharks, certain invertebrates, cetaceans, monk seals, sea turtles and seabird populations). 1 or 2 fishing metiers per country to be identified and targeted Develop and implement demonstrable solutions to bycatch mitigation for protected / endangered species of fish and invertebrates and for iconic vertebrate species in two countries (Morocco, Algeria and Turkey): by-catch mortality on sharks, marine mammals, sea turtles and sea birds is significantly reduced.

Activity 3.2.3: Identification and addressing of unsustainable fishing practices at regionally representative MPA sites Identification of significant fishing impacts in areas of particular vulnerability in five countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria). The impact of towed gears on critical bottom habitats, forbidden fishing practices and protected species significant by- catch identified and mitigation approaches develolped with the support of stakeholders

Budget and timetable Budget FAO: USD Duration 5 years Starting: now