Michael O. Angelidis (UNEP/MAP)
Regular Process Workshop, Brussels, Belgium, 27-29 June 2012
Assessments of the marine and coastal environment in Assessments of the marine and coastal environment in
the Mediterranean – UNEP/MAP Barcelona Conventionthe Mediterranean – UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention
Assessment component of UNEP/MAP
The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) was adopted on 4 Feb. 1975 based on 4 main aspects:
Integrated planning of the development and management of the resources of the Mediterranean Basin;
Co-ordinated programme for research, monitoring and exchange of information and assessment of the state of pollution and of protection measures;
Framework convention and related protocols with their technical annexes for the protection of the Mediterranean environment;
Institutional and financial implications of the Action Plan.
Barcelona Convention and Protocols
Convention/Protocol Adopted In force
Convention for the protection of the marine environment and the coastal region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention)
1976Amended 1995
19792004
Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources and activities (LBS Protocol)
1980Amended 1996
19822008
Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean
1995 1999
Protocol for the prevention and elimination of pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from ships and aircrafts or incineration at sea
1976Amended in
1995
1979Not yet
Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution resulting from the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf and the seabed and its subsoil (Offshore Protocol)
1994 2011
Protocol on the prevention of pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal
1996 2008
Protocol concerning the cooperation in preventing pollution from ships and, in case of emergency, combating pollution of the Mediterranean Sea
19752002
19792004
Protocol of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean 2008 2011
Monitoring and data availability – LBS ProtocolMED POL Monitoring programme (Phase III since 1996)
a) State and Trend monitoring
Data to prepare periodical assessments of the state and trends in pollution hot spots and coastal areas
Nutrients/eutrophication in seawater
Hazardous substances in sediment and biota
b) Monitoring of inputs
Quantification of inputs expressed as pollutants loads form point sources based on the National Baseline Budgets of Pollutant Emissions and Releases
c) Compliance monitoring
Microbiological parameters in bathing waters and shellfish growing waters.
d) Biological effects monitoring (pilot)
Biomarkers to assess exposure to, and impacts of, chemical contaminants at organism level
e) Monitoring of eutrophication (pilot)
Integrated pilot studies in specific eutrophication-threatened marine coastal areas.
PPeriodic thematic assessment on pollution issueseriodic thematic assessment on pollution issues
Studies and assessments
Biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas
Maritime traffic and accidents
Sustainable Development
Integrated Coastal Zone management
Cleaner Production and Consumption
Ecosystem Approach - ECAP
Decision IG 17/6 of the15th Meeting of the COP to the Barcelona Convention, (Almeria, Spain,2008)
“to progressively apply the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities that may affect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment”
Decision IG 19/17 of the 16th Meeting of the COP to the Barcelona Convention (Marrakesh, Morocco, 2009)
“the Ecosystem Approach is the overarching principle of MAP’s 5 years Programme of Work (2010-2014)
Road map - steps
1. Definition of an ecological Vision for the Mediterranean.
2. Setting of common Mediterranean strategic goals
3. Identification of important ecosystem properties and assessment of ecological status and pressures
4. Development of a set of ecological objectives corresponding to the Vision and strategic goals
5. Derivation of operational objectives with indicators and target levels
6. Revision of existing monitoring programmes for on-going assessment and regular updating of targets
7. Development and review of relevant action plans and programmes
Initial Assessment ECAP (2012)
Initial Assessment Initial Assessment structured to present the state of the marine environment, and how it is impacted by pressures. For every one of the 4 sub-regions of the Mediterranean, the chapters include:
Physical and chemical characteristics
Biological characteristics
Habitat classification and known distribution of habitats
Pressures and impacts (meaning contamination by hazardous substances, dumping activities, nutrient and organic matter enrichment, biological and physical disturbances, effect of underwater noise and marine litter)
Conclusions and gap analysis
Initial Assessment ECAP
Goals Define the major basin-wide priority issues to be addressed by the ECAP Determine available information to elucidate management prioritiesDetermine existing gaps, in order to improve scientific research and monitoring in the region
CommonalitiesCommon issues with First Common issues with First Integrated Assessment of the UN Integrated Assessment of the UN Regular Process Regular Process
Initial assessment geographical division in 4 sub-regions
Western Mediterranean
Adriatic Sea
Central Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean
Initial Assessment preparation process
A participatory approachA participatory approach
Continuous consultation with Mediterranean countries (2010-2011):
Decision on the table of contents of the Initial AssessmentProvision of data and informationRevision of the Documents Follow-up of the process through meetings with the participation of government designated experts
Peer review Peer review of the final Assessment by GESAMP (2011)
PresentationPresentation of the Initial Assessment in the 1717thth Meeting of the Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (Paris, 8-10 February 2012): Document UNEP(DEPI)/MED IG.20/Inf.8
Initial Assessment conclusions Mediterranean scale
Pressures Pressures
•Coastal development and sprawl, driven by urbanization and tourism development
•Overfishing, and incidental or by-catch
•Destructive fishing, including bottom trawling and fishing methods
•Pollution (hazardous compounds) from urbanization, industry, etc.
•Nutrient over-enrichment
•Maritime industries, including shipping, energy, aquaculture, and desalination (operational as well as disaster-related)
•Invasive species spread, in many cases mediated by climate changes
ImpactsImpacts
Habitat loss and degradation, and erosion/ shoreline destabilization
Community structure, ecological processes, and delivery of ecosystem services, are affected
Benthic disturbance
Contamination of sediments and biota
Eutrophication and hypoxia leading to ecological imbalances
Disturbance and pollution
Disturbance of ecosystem
Degradation of transitional or estuarine areas, which serve as critical nursery areas for commercial fisheries and also support unique assemblages of species
Economic value of sustainable benefits
Exploratory Work
Part of the Initial Integrated Assessment
Inspired by:
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA,2000-2005);
• System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (UN, 2003);
• The Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity (EC, UNEP, 2007-2010) …
Economic valuationEconomic valuation
improve knowledge of the services and assess the sustainable benefits provided by ecosystems with a view to taking them into account more effectively at the regional and national levels;
provide public decision-makers with a common quantitative measurement to improve the management of environmental issues;
contribute at the level of the Mediterranean to international initiatives for the economic analysis of ecosystems
Methodology
Category Ecosystem services Benefits assessed
Provisioning services Provision of food resources Resource rent of fisheries &
aquaculture sectors
Cultural servicesAmenities Resource rent of tourism,
hotels & restaurants and real estate in coastal areas Support of recreational
activities
Regulating services
Climate regulationValue of man-made CO2 sequestration
Mitigation of natural hazards Value of protection against coastal erosion through Posidonia meadows
Waste treatment Recycling of waste water by marine ecosystems
COP 17 Decision (2012) on socioeconomic analysis
MandateMandate
Further develop a socio economic analysis of marine ecosystems uses, focusing on priority sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, recreational activities, oil industry and offshore
Evaluate costs of degradation for human wealth in the absence of the implementation of the relevant actions plans and programmes of measures aiming to achieve or maintain GES
The overall objectiveobjective :
To elaborate a common understanding and To elaborate a common understanding and to foster a broad appropriation by to foster a broad appropriation by Mediterranean riparian countries of the Mediterranean riparian countries of the social and economic dimensions involved social and economic dimensions involved in the ECAP in the ECAP implementationimplementation
More assessments in the Mediterranean region published recently
State of Environment and Development Report (http://www.planbleu.org/publications/SoED2009_EN.pdf)
IA/RP: Part IV – Assessment of Cross-cutting issue: Food Security and Food safety The economic value of sustainable benefits rendered by the Mediterranean Marine
ecosystems (http://www.planbleu.org/publications/Cahier8_marin_EN.pdf) Analysis of economic activities in the Mediterranean: fishery and aquaculture sectors
(http://www.planbleu.org/publications/analyse_activites_econ_peche_EN.pdf) Long-term trends in small pelagic and bottom fisheries in the Mediterranean: 1950-2008
(http://www.planbleu.org/publications/State_of_Mediterraean_Fisheries.pdf)
IA/RP: Part V – Assessment of other human activities impacting on the marine EnvironmentChapter 16. Shipping, Chapter 17. Ports Maritime transport of goods in the Mediterranean: Outlook 2025
(http://www.planbleu.org/publications/Cahier7_transport_EN.pdfChapter 26. Tourism and recreation Seaside tourism and urbanisation: environmental impact and land issues
((http://www.planbleu.org/publications/4p21_tourism_urbanisationEN.pdf)
Research Projects in the Mediterranean Region (indicative)
To develop new tools to evaluate the current environmental status of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, through combined monitoring and modeling capabilities and by extending existing observation systems. Duration 2012 – 2016.
To assess and predict changes in the Mediterranean and Black Sea ecosystems as well as changes in the ability of these ecosystems to provide goods and services. Duration 2006-2010.
To provide a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and practical guidance for the application of the Ecosystem Approach to the sustainable development of Europe’s regional seas. Duration 2009 - 2013
KnowSeas
The future: UNEP/MAP Integrated Monitoring Programme in the
framework of the ECAP
Establishment (2013) of a Regional Integrated Monitoring programme that takes into account the ecological objectives, including marine pollution and biodiversity, and focusing both on coastal and open sea waters
Take into consideration threats from land based sources as well as from other sources, and recognize the interaction among the threats
All monitoring activities will be integrated in a single, well-defined aim : that of achieving a particular level of environmental quality in a specified ecosystem
Common practices will be adopted across all types of monitoring activities and data management
Take into consideration cumulative and combined effects of pollution and other kind of pressures
Build synergies with EU MSFD and other monitoring programmes implemented in the region with a view to sharing data and enhancing the effectiveness of environmental monitoring in the Mediterranean on the regional and country levels
Build synergies with the UN Regular Process
National capacities (institutional, technical) for the implementation of the integrated MAP monitoring programme will be assessed and a capacity building programme will be prepared
UNEP/MAP: a Mediterranean commitment
MAP Coordination Unit (Athens, Greece)
MED POL - Programme for the assessment and control of pollution in the Mediterranean Region (Athens, Greece)
Regional Activity Centres (RACs)
REMPEC - Regional marine pollution emergency response Centre for the Mediterranean (Malta)
BP/RAC - Blue Plan Regional Activity Centre (Sophia Antipolis, France)
PAP/RAC – Priority actions programme Regional Activity Centre (Split, Croatia)
SPA/RAC – Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (Tunis, Tunisia)
INFO/RAC Information Regional Activity Centre (Rome, Italy)
CP/RAC – Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner Production (Barcelona, Spain)
Long standing legal commitment by the Mediterranean Countries (Barcelona Convention, 6 Protocols, Regional Action Plans), including on the assessment
Solid regional governance including government authorities, scientific institutions, NGOs and experts on policy, governance and technical issues Capacity building programmes on issues related to monitoring and assessment of pressures, state and impact are being implemented Further work to be build on existing governance structures and assessment outputs
UNEP/MAP contribution
UNEP/MAP has a mandate to undertake periodic assessment in the Mediterranean
UNEP/MAP in close cooperation with all Mediterranean countries, is collecting data and information on all aspects of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment
UNEP/MAP is moving towards an integrated approach to assessment through a gradual application of an Ecosystem Approach to the management of human activities
UNEP/MAP is looking forward to collaborating in the preparation of the First Global Integrated Marine Assessment (GIMA) in the framework of the UN Regular Process, as requested by its Contracting Parties
UNEP/MAP will provide data and information and offers its network of experts, administrators and NGOs from all across the Mediterranean (Europe, North Africa and Middle East) for the preparation of the First GIMA
UNEP/MAP is ready to actively contributing to the capacity building on monitoring and assessment in the region
Thank you
