The Kuriat project
Supporting the management of the marine and coastal protected area of the Kuriat Islands in Tunisia
The Kuriat project is a pilot initiative regarding a participatory governance approach within protected areas in Tunisia.
Objectives
• Organize training sessions for the benefit of members of the management unit and managers of other MCPAs and institutions in Tunisia
• Carry out field surveys on birds, introduced species, fishing activity and tourist frequentation in Kuriat Islands
• Provide field equipment to ensure the continuity of monitoring activities and their smooth running after the end of the project
• Enhance communication activities through the development of a communication strategy, mass awareness of visitors to the island, the publication of press and scientific articles in international newspapers
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Partners
The establishment of a MPA covering the Kuriat islands is in progress.
It is composed of two flat islands sheltering rich biodiversity in the Gulf of Monastir. They are one of the rare recurrent laying sites of the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The archipelago also hosts the threatened Noble Pen Shell (Pinna nobilis), currently under a great crisis, large populations of cephalopods, Posidonia meadows, Cystoseira marine algae forests, and sponge gardens.
The Kuriat project is a pilot initiative regarding a participatory governance approach within protected areas in Tunisia. The whole process started with SPA/RAC's MedMPAnet project, which led to the elaboration of a sustainable and integrated management plan of the Kuriat Islands.
Thanks to the support of the Kuriat project, the management plan has moved from concept to implementation to move forwards the first Marine and Coastal Protected Area (MCPA) in Tunisia with a Co-management Unit bringing together a national agency, namely the Coastal Protection and Management Agency (APAL), and a civil society organization (Notre Grand Bleu NGO)