MedPAN: the network of Marine Protected Area managers in the Mediterranean

Title of the Flagship Initiative as it appears in the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD)

“Promote a regional network of managers of ecologically protected areas building on the experiences of existing initiatives”

Objectives

The network of Marine Protected Area managers in the Mediterranean (MedPAN) is an initiative linked to Strategic Direction 2.3 of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD): “Promote networks of ecologically protected areas at national and Mediterranean level and enhance stakeholder awareness on the value of ecosystem services and the implications of biodiversity loss”. It is also linked to the MSSD Objective 1: “Ensuring sustainable development in marine and coastal areas”.

This initiative supports the protection of Biological diversity in the Mediterranean.

Context

MPA managers have requested the creation of “Networks of MPA managers”, such as MedPAN, to foster collaboration in addressing common challenges in the pursuit of the effective conservation of marine ecosystems.

MedPAN is managed since 2008 by a permanent structure located in Marseille, France.

MedPAN works with more than 110 MPAs within a large partnership approach. It mainly includes public bodies from 21 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention.

MedPAN provides technical support to MPA managers at local the level and through coordinated actions at Mediterranean level, offering solutions, experience-sharing, capacity-building and harmonized knowledge to a regional community of practice working in MPAs.

Achievements

MAPAMED database built in cooperation with SPA/RAC, a Regional Activity Centre of UNEP/MAP (MedPAN manages the database). Every 4 years, a Mediterranean MPA Status Report is produced.
Mediterranean MPA Forum, a process coordinated by MedPAN and SPA/RAC since 2012. The 3rd edition of the Forum (co-organized with WWF Mediterranean) is organized in 2020-2021 to develop a 2020 Mediterranean MPA Roadmap.
Thematic and technical support provided to MPA managers through key technical tools, working groups to increase the network’s knowledge, expertise and efficiency. This includes a Mediterranean training programme with five MPA training centres around the Mediterranean.
Annual thematic experience-sharing workshops gathering MPA managers, held every year since 2010.
Collaboration with other networks of MPA managers at Transatlantic level and development of a joint strategy.
Contribution to the Handbook on governance of coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean, coordinated by PAP/RAC, and to the SoED, coordinated by Plan Bleu, a Regional Activity Centre of UNEP/MAP.

In addition, MedPAN is currently involved in three projects supporting technical and strategic actions at both local and regional levels to improve MPA networking for effective and integrated management, namely the “MPA NETWORKS” Interreg-Med project, the “COGITO” FFEM project and the “Co-managed No-Take Zones/MPAs” MAVA project.

Partners

MedPAN gathers 78 member organisations and 53 partners.

MedPAN collaborates with SPA/RAC on the MAPAMED database, the Mediterranean MPA Status Report, the Forum and Roadmap for Mediterranean MPAs, as well as on capacity-building for MPAs.

MedPAN is a partner of the The MedFund.

Learn more