Med Sea Alliance and Together for the Med urge the world leaders to protect the Mediterranean Sea
Nice, France – 10th June The two major marine conservation coalitions in the Mediterranean, Med Sea Alliance and Together for the Med, representing over 70 local and regional organisations, have joined forces to call on world leaders to accelerate actions for marine conservation and restoration in the Mediterranean.
“This isn’t just about saving nature: it’s about restoring balance between people and the planet,” said Karlijn Steinbusch, Director of the Med Sea Alliance. “We already have regional commitments. We know marine protection pays off. What we need now is political action — stronger, better-funded, and more meaningful marine protection.”
“The sea doesn’t recognise borders,” emphasised Margaux Janin, Coordinator of Together for the Med. “We need to include all voices, with collaboration that moves beyond geographical boundaries. Scientists, fishers, and NGOs are all demanding the same healthy future for our shared sea.”
The Mediterranean Sea is a vital pillar of the region’s environmental integrity, regional food security, and socio-economic resilience. Its waters support immense biodiversity – over 17,000 marine species, representing 18% of the known species worldwide – and the livelihoods of millions, particularly in coastal communities. Over 700,000 jobs and more than €20 billion in revenue are generated annually by fisheries and marine aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, underlining the sea’s immense value not just ecologically, but also economically.
The Mediterranean is warming three times faster than the global ocean average, threatening not only biodiversity but also the livelihoods of millions who depend on its waters. In this context, UNOC3 provides a pivotal platform to unite diverse stakeholders – from national governments and marine scientists, to small-scale fishing communities and NGOs – around evidence-based solutions, proving that regional cooperation can deliver both ecological recovery and effective community management.
“This goes beyond saving ecosystems,” added Janin. “Protecting the marine environment ensures a healthy coastal economy, improves food security, supports sustainable fishers, and builds community through collaborative stewardship.”
By expanding and strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other place-based conservation efforts, we can allow marine ecosystems to recover. Evidence shows that well-managed protected areas (with no industrial activities and infrastructures) can rebuild fish stocks, improve food security, and make coastal economies more resilient to environmental disturbance. Strictly protected areas, where impactful human activity is prohibited, tend to deliver faster and more significant levels of ecosystem recovery, while providing stronger benefits to coastal communities who rely on the sea. However, these areas must be real, inclusive, properly resourced and funded, grounded in the best available science, and designed to empower local communities as key actors of change in delivering lasting impact.
With just five years remaining to meet 2030 targets, the coalitions are calling for unprecedented collaboration, to achieve:
- 30% protection by 2030, with at least 10% under strict protection across the region.
- A significant increase in funding that ensures effective management of marine protected areas.
- Stronger regional cooperation and coordinated action to safeguard the Mediterranean.
A side event at the UNOC3
As part of UNOC3, the convening organisations will host the side event, Working Together for Effective Marine Protected Areas: The Mediterranean as a ‘Hope Spot’ for Change, featuring NGO experts from Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Italy, and major conservation funders. The session will showcase successful cases of regional collaboration and address key challenges in securing the resources needed to achieve 30×30 targets.
About Together for the Med
Together for the Med is a network of NGOs, International Organisations, research centres, private companies, networks and foundations committed to reducing the pressures on Mediterranean biodiversity. We use a collaborative approach to enhance effective marine protection, strengthen governance and local leadership, and promote sustainable fishing across the Mediterranean Sea.
About Med Sea Alliance
The Med Sea Alliance (MSA) is a campaign movement, bringing together non-government organisations and other civil society groups seeking to improve the health and productivity of the Mediterranean Sea. The MSA seeks to restore the Mediterranean Sea by driving policy change to protect critical marine habitats, end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and reduce the impact of destructive fishing practices.
Media contacts:
- Marina Forteza, Communication Manager, Marilles Foundation – marina.forteza@marilles.org
- Maria Elena De Matteo, Head of Communications, Med Sea Alliance – m.elena@medseaalliance.org
- Pierre Coan, Digital Communication Manager, BlueSeeds – pierrecoan@blueseeds.org
Note to editors:
- More information on the side events (details and programme) are available here
- Photos and videos are available here (IMPORTANT: It is mandatory to credit the author of the photo and add this sentence: ‘image provided to MARE for conservation purposes’).
- Teaser of the video released at the side event.
