Description
European Seas, especially coastal areas, have been impacted by a multitude of human pressures. Marine ecosystems have degraded, some biological resources have collapsed, and substantial loss in marine biodiversity is currently observed. The high and increasing demand for marine space and the need to conserve marine biodiversity necessitate an integrated approach of marine management. The project is expected to increase our knowledge concerning the integrated marine and islands policy and the protection and management of coastal areas. The objective of the project is to contribute towards the integrated management of marine resources and the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Aegean Sea. The main deliverable of the project will be a proposed network of marine protected areas and protection zones, for the conservation of all important and vulnerable habitats and species, as defined by legislation and international agreements. Beyond the main deliverables, a large amount of information on the spatial distribution of marine habitats and species will be collected, contributing to the knowledge base needed for the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research is a project partner as well as the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Target groups: Central and Regional Administration, Local Authorities, Scientific Community, Stakeholders of marine and coastal areas, environmental NGOs, wider public
Summary of project results
European Seas, especially coastal areas, have been impacted by a multitude of human pressures. Marine ecosystems have been degraded, some biological resources have collapsed and substantial loss in marine biodiversity is currently observed. The high and increasing demand for marine space and the need to conserve marine biodiversity necessitate an integrated approach for marine management. The Aegean Sea is a data-poor area, which poses difficulties in conservation and maritime spatial planning. The objective of MARISCA was to contribute towards the integrated management of marine resources and the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Aegean Sea, by improving our knowledge base and applying systematic conservation decision tools. The main deliverable of MARISCA was a proposed network of marine protected areas and protection zones, for the conservation of all important and vulnerable habitats and species, as defined by legislation and international agreements. Beyond the main deliverable, a large amount of information on the spatial distribution of marine habitats and species was collected and integrated, contributing to the knowledge base needed for the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The objectives of MARISCA have been fully achieved, substantially improving our knowledge base in the area. A large amount of information was compiled from various sources, including new data from field work, and it was possible to produce 67 thematic distribution maps of ecological features, 33 thematic maps of human activities, 6 maps of cumulative pressures on selected habitats and 17 thematic maps of management spatial plans. All this information constitutes an important baseline for future research, which may substantially contribute to scientific outputs and policy requirements. MARISCA was not only the first effort to provide comprehensive thematic maps in the Aegean Sea, but also the first attempt for large-scale systematic conservation planning in this ecoregion, aiming to design a network of marine protected areas that is comprehensive, adequate, representative, and efficient. Previously, all conservation planning efforts (including site selection for the Natura-20000 network) were based on limited knowledge and local criteria without large-scale objectives and a systematic planning approach. Hence, MARISCA is a best practice example in the region, providing a baseline for the implementation of conservation planning.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partners transferred knowledge, experiences and know-how in the project and benefited from gaining experience in a different biogeographic zone. The partnership achieved the enhancement of bilateral relations of the participating countries (Greece-Norway) and was beneficial for the participating institutes in the perspective of future collaborations in other European projects. Common scientific outcomes (peer-reviewed journal articles, conference publications, technical reports) have been produced, while others are still in progress after the completion of Marisca, in a continuous collaboration even after the end of the project.