Marine Protected Areas (MPA) governance and management in the Mediterranean and in the specific context of urban area

A significant challenge in MPA management is the necessity for a bottom-up approach that aligns with the needs of the majority of stakeholders.FishMPABlue2 is a European Interreg Med project through which 11 pilot Marine Protected Areas from 6 Mediterranean countries were able to test 13 management-related measures (Governance toolkit) to improve the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of artisanal fishing in and around an MPA. The real impacts of these tests were evaluated through 2 monitoring campaigns, carried out "before" and "after" the implementation of the management measures. Thus, the "Small Scale Fisheries Governance Toolkit" is not only a theoretical contribution but an operational manual, which describes the advantages and real limits of each measure and also provides a "degree of feasibility" – in terms of time, human and financial resources – for each of them. The toolbox has already been transferred during FishMPABlue2 to 9 other MPAs, whose managers have also been trained in socio-economic and environmental monitoring techniques.Thus, in the latest version of this project, called FishMPABlue2 Plus, the transfer was carried out mainly by applying the same strategy, involving, as associated partners, 11 new MPAs from 5 countries in which all the partners are real trainers and managers of the MPAs concerned.At the end of the project, more than 30 MPAs in the Mediterranean were applying the same approach linked to governance - that is to say a system focused on co-management - and similar management measures already tested and adjusted. Last but not least, the managers of these MPAs improved their monitoring capabilities. This constituted a solid "community" based on co-management governance to defend artisanal fishing through this European funding.As far as France is concerned, the Ecoseas laboratory was involved in the recruitment of 2 new MPAs, Péquerolle (Commune of Antibes) and Cap Martin (Commune of Cap Martin).Another major challenge concerning the governance and management of MPAs in Mediterranean countries is the significant level of urbanization. MPAs play a crucial role in addressing biodiversity degradation and are acknowledged as effective tools for protection. However, while most MPAs are situated along remote coastlines, few are found near major cities due to intense human activities, pollution, and commercial interests in marine areas. Despite these challenges, the number of urban MPAs is on the rise due to population growth. This study seeks to clarify the concept of "urban" MPAs, which is currently lacking a clear definition. To develop urban indicators for MPAs, variables are evaluated and given scores based on three categories: the socio-demography of the city, access to, and utilization of the MPA. Our interest in urban MPAs lies in integrating environmental protection with societal needs, effectively managing ecological objectives alongside socio-economic interests. Establishing specific criteria is essential to frame the study properly. The research is focusing on several local case studies on a small scale, examining both the MPA area and the nearby city when dealing with "urban" MPAs. Urban MPAs are typically situated near cities with populations exceeding 100,000 inhabitants. Selected MPAs include at least one "no-take zone," have an existing and implemented management plan, and have readily available ecological data.The effectiveness of an MPA relies on various factors and is influenced by its context. Features such as habitat complexity, history, surface area, and compliance with regulations (including stakeholder engagement and governance type) can impact the success of MPAs. Hence, effective management is crucial for ensuring MPA effectiveness and overall sustainability. Despite its significance, there has been limited research conducted on this topic. To delve deeper into this subject, we are evaluating the effectiveness of MPA management using various methods. While some researchers have considered perception data, others have developed a standardized framework using factual data to analyze MPA management effectiveness. This method will assess legal status and authority, organizational structure, ongoing projects (scientific, educational), surveillance networking, and management performance.Urban environments have adverse impacts on marine ecosystems due to pollution, high visitor intensity, and the presence of numerous boats. Therefore, we hypothesize that urban settings may negatively affect Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the marine environment. Consequently, we expect to observe distinct outcomes based on the proximity of an MPA to urban centers. It is presumed that the management of urban MPAs must be even more effective in mitigating urban pressures. For instance, the Larvotto Reserve in Monaco, an MPA situated in a strong urban context, has implemented comprehensive environmental education programs targeting primary schools due to its close proximity to urban areas. Additionally, the MPA places significant emphasis on monitoring activities as a fundamental aspect of its operations. In contrast, the Portofino MPA, located away from urban influences, has shown relatively limited development of educational initiatives and does not exhibit a significantly high level of monitoring activities.Overall, the governance and management of urban MPAs require a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological, social, economic, educational and political considerations to address the complex challenges and opportunities associated with protecting marine biodiversity in urbanized coastal areas.