Sailboat on the sea

Our impact

Since 2017, 46 organizations of diverse nature, combining various expertise related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable fishing, have joined forces to protect the Mediterranean Sea.

Together, we have supported interventions in 15 countries to reduce the impact of fishing, restore vulnerable habitats and reinforce marine protected areas (MPAs) for the benefit of ecosystems and human communities.

The report summarising the impact of our actions is now available.

Download the impact report
MEDITERRANEAN SEA LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR ACTIONS AND OUR FIELDS OF INTERVENTION 16 projects connecting nearly fifty partners. Dozens of activities carried out together, to limit the pressures on Mediterranean biodiversity. significant. Our impact is co-management is essential. Our strike force is unparalleled in this region, where we offer fishers capacity building trainings on sustainable fishing and we certify fisheries. WE WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH FISHERS: PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE FISHING To mitigate the impact of fisheries on biodiversity, to protect key sensitive areas and to promote sustainable fishing practices, we are united to collect data on bycatch and depredation and to facilitate ongoing engagement and collaboration with cooperative fishers. allowing us to aggregate and compare results (GFCM methodology). WE BUILD A COMMON METHODOLOGY FOR DATA COLLECTION, we create species identification guides and other communication tools. WE RAISE KEY STAKEHOLDERS’ AWARENESS: including data on species, on habitats, small-scale fishery fleets and fishing practices. WE COLLECT RELIABLE DATA ON FISHING PRACTICES: we test, apply and replicate. WE DEVELOP BYCATCH MITIGATION MEASURES: ENGAGE MEDITERRANEAN COMMUNITY Through communication campaigns, experience sharing, networking and capacity building, we engage the Mediterranean community into a co-management approach, which has allowed us to implement successful conservation activities by and for coastal communities. between fishers from different countries or between MPA managers from all over the Med and through scientific collaborations. WE SHARE GOOD PRACTICES AND EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE, to diagnose biodiversity pressures, to identify threats on specific species (e.g. turtles). Mapping has played a great role in mediation and concertation between stakeholders. WE MAP VULNERABLE HABITATS TO DESIGN MPAS, allowing the establishment and enforcement of no-take zones, and the restauration of ecosystems (e.g. Posidonia oceanica meadows) or the population of specific species (e.g. sharks). THANKS TO CITIZEN SCIENCE, WE CARRYOUT RESEARCH LEADING TO STRONG KNOWLEDGE BASES FOR RESTAURATION, with public authorities, locals, fishers, tourists and many other stakeholders. We improve the visibility of conservation activities and we measure their socio-economic impact. WE WORK TO ENSURE SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY OF CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, for monitoring and mooring management. WE CREATE TOOLS FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS MANAGERS FOSTER FINANCIAL TRANSITION We ensure long-term financial sustainability of conservation projects. We create new mechanisms to guarantee the financial sustainability of fisheries that are willing to shift to sustainable practices. through trainings, documentaries, success stories and co-management with fishers. WE COMMUNICATE AND SPREAD KNOWLEDGE ON THE MED’S STATE OF HEALTH We train marine protected areas managers on business and financial planning. We deliver a guide on self-financing mechanisms for Mediterranean MPAs. We facilitate fees collection for mooring zone managers. WE WORK FOR THE EFFICIENCY AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MPAS: We deliver capacity building for fishery stakeholders. We help some Mediterranean small-scale fishers access to European funds to shift toward better fishing practices. WE WORK FOR FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES: We create innovative financing mechanisms to provide micro-credits to fishermen to shift to more sustainable and less impactful practices. We encourage them to use fishing gear made locally in an artisanal way by women’s cooperatives (e.g. Morocco). WE BUILD INNOVATIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SMALL SCALL FISHERIES: We promote ideas for sustainable, artisanal entrepreneurship in isolated coastal areas in the face of mass tourism development. We create a revolving fund with an ethical bank to make micro-credits to local entrepreneurs to launch their complementary income activity. WE SUPPORT BLUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: VALORIZE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD We foster a shift towards sustainable practices for Mediterranean fisheries via the implementation of certifications and labelling process. We make sustainable seafood alternatives more accessible for consumers. with the collection of reliable data and through a standardized methodology. WE ANALYSE SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION HABITS IN THE MED, including short circuits, seasonality and sustainable gears. WE PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION OF SEAFOOD we create local cooperatives, raise awareness, share good practices, and build short circuits. WE EMPOWER PEOPLE TO ACT TOGETHER TO CREATE LONG-LASTING IMPACT: thanks to a standardized methodology (GFN) and have launched several campaigns to understand and influence consumers food choices. WE MEASURE THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION IMPROVE LEGAL & POLICY FRAMEWORK We mobilize and advocate to scale up successful local solutions, accelerate implementation of legislation, influence European and Mediterranean policies, and develop a stronger legal framework for the Mediterranean biodiversity. we presented recommendations on bycatch during the 44th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. WE ADVOCATE AT THE GFCM LEVEL: we contributed to the adoption of the EU Bycatch Action Plan, we’re facilitating access to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and took part in the Farm to Fork Strategy negotiations. WE ADVOCATE AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL: we participated in the road map of the post-2020 strategy of the Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of the Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean Region (SAPBIO); we presented recommendations during the negotiations of the Barcelona Convention, in particular to reach the 30% objective of marine protected areas for 2030 and we advocate for the commitment for 10% of highly protected areas. WE ADVOCATE AT THE MEDITERRANEAN LEVEL: thanks to knowledge dissemination and awareness campaigns, we have been able to improve and harmonize national laws with international conventions. We contributed to the official declaration of several Mediterranean marine protected areas and make governments commit for 10% of no-take zones. We have tested and implemented a national compen-sation system for dolphin depredation. We strengthen marine protected areas surveillance. WE ADVOCATE AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL: These results at the Mediterranean scale would not have been possible without all the partners, our dynamic coordination, knowledge and expertise sharing at the Together for the Med scale.
16 projects connecting nearly fifty partners. Dozens of activities carried out together,to limit the pressures on Mediterranean biodiversity. Our impact is signifiant. Our strike force is unparalleled in this region, where co-management is essential. LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR ACTIONS AND OUR FIELDS OF INTERVENTION
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE FISHING To mitigate the impact of fisheries on biodiversity, to protect key sensitive areas and to promote sustainable fishing practices, we are united to collect data on bycatch and depredation and to facilitate ongoing engagement and collaboration with cooperative fishers. allowing us to aggregate and compare results (GFCM methodology). WE BUILD A COMMON METHODOLOGY FOR DATA COLLECTION, we offer fishers capacity building trainings on sustainable fishing and we certify fisheries. WE WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH FISHERS: we create species identification guides and other communication tools. WE RAISE KEY STAKEHOLDERS’ AWARENESS: including data on species, on habitats, small-scale fishery fleets and fishing practices. WE COLLECT RELIABLE DATA ON FISHING PRACTICES: we test, apply and replicate. WE DEVELOP BYCATCH MITIGATION MEASURES: ENGAGE MEDITERRANEAN COMMUNITY Through communication campaigns, experience sharing, networking and capacity building, we engage the Mediterranean community into a co-management approach, which has allowed us to implement successful conservation activities by and for coastal communities. to diagnose biodiversity pressures, to identify threats on specific species (e.g. turtles). Mapping has played a great role in mediation and concertation between stakeholders. WE MAP VULNERABLE HABITATS TO DESIGN MPAS, with public authorities, locals, fishers, tourists and many other stakeholders. We improve the visibility of conservation activities and we measure their socio-economic impact. WE WORK TO ENSURE SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY OF CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, allowing the establishment and enforcement of no-take zones, and the restauration of ecosystems (e.g. Posidonia oceanica meadows) or the population of specific species (e.g. sharks). THANKS TO CITIZEN SCIENCE, WE CARRY OUT RESEARCH LEADING TO STRONG KNOWLEDGE BASES FOR RESTAURATION, for monitoring and mooring management. WE CREATE TOOLS FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS MANAGERS between fishers from different countries or between MPA managers from all over the Med and through scientific collaborations. WE SHARE GOOD PRACTICES AND EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE, through trainings, documentaries, success stories and co-management with fishers. WE COMMUNICATE AND SPREAD KNOWLEDGE ON THE MED’S STATE OF HEALTH FOSTER FINANCIAL TRANSITION VALORIZE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD We ensure long-term financial sustainability of conservation projects. We create new mechanisms to guarantee the financial sustainability of fisheries that are willing to shift to sustainable practices. We foster a shift towards sustainable practices for Mediterranean fisheries via the implementation of certifications and labelling process. We make sustainable seafood alternatives more accessible for consumers. We train marine protected areas managers on business and financial planning. We deliver a guide on self-financing mechanisms for Mediterranean MPAs. We facilitate fees collection for mooring zone managers. WE WORK FOR THE EFFICIENCY AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MPAS: We create innovative financing mechanisms to provide micro-credits to fishermento shift to more sustainable and less impactful practices. We encourage them to use fishing gear made locally in an artisanal way by women’s cooperatives (e.g. Morocco). WE BUILD INNOVATIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SMALL SCALL FISHERIES: We deliver capacity building for fishery stakeholders. We help some Mediterranean small-scale fishers access to European funds to shift toward better fishing practices. WE WORK FOR FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES: We promote ideas for sustainable, artisanal entrepreneurship in isolated coastal areas in the face of mass tourism development. We create a revolving fund with an ethical bank to make micro-credits to local entrepreneurs to launch their complementary income activity. WE SUPPORT BLUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: with the collection of reliable data and through a standardized methodology. WE ANALYSE SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION HABITS IN THE MED, thanks to a standardized methodology (GFN) and have launched several campaigns to understand andinfluence consumers food choices. WE MEASURE THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION including short circuits, seasonality and sustainable gears. WE PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION OF SEAFOOD we create local cooperatives, raise awareness, share good practices, and build short circuits. WE EMPOWER PEOPLE TO ACT TOGETHER TO CREATE LONG-LASTING IMPACT: IMPROVE LEGAL & POLICY FRAMEWORK We mobilize and advocate to scale up successful local solutions, accelerate implementation of legislation, influence European and Mediterranean policies, and develop a stronger legal framework for the Mediterranean biodiversity. we contributed to the adoption of the EU Bycatch Action Plan, we’re facilitating access to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and took partin the Farm to Fork Strategy negotiations. thanks to knowledge dissemination and awareness campaigns, we have been able to improve and harmonize national laws with international conventions. We contributed to the official declaration of several Mediterranean marine protected areas and make governments commit for 10% of no-take zones. We have tested and implemented a national compen-sation system for dolphin depredation. We strengthen marine protected areas surveillance. WE ADVOCATE AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL: WE ADVOCATE AT LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL: we presented recommendations on bycatch during the 44th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. WE ADVOCATE AT THE GFCM LEVEL: we participated in the road map of the post-2020 strategy of the Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of the Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean Region (SAPBIO); we presented recommendations during the negotiations of the Barcelona Convention, in particular to reach the 30% objective of marine protected areas for 2030 and we advocate for the commitment for 10% of highly protected areas. WE ADVOCATE AT THE MEDITERRANEAN LEVEL: These results at the Mediterranean scale would not have been possible without all the partners, our dynamic coordination, knowledge and expertise sharing at the Together forthe Med scale.

Discover the success stories

The MedBycatch project awarded

The MedBycatch project awarded

The project won the first prize at the 2023 MakeEUBlue Awards of the EU4Ocean coalition.

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Policy brief on Cyprus bycatch

Policy brief on Cyprus bycatch

The 'silent' problem of fisheries: A call to address one of the biggest fisheries-driven environmental threats

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EU-27 ecological footprint was primarily driven by food consumption and exceeded regional biocapacity from 2004 to 2014

EU-27 ecological footprint was primarily driven by food consumption and exceeded regional biocapacity from 2004 to 2014

A Global Footprint Network article by Alessandro Galli and its collaborators

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