Are Mediterranean MPAs effective in achieving their conservation and management goals or are they just paper parks?

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for both biodiversity and pressures. It is recognized that in order to preserve the health and biodiversity of the marine environment, 30% of the ocean should be effectively protected by 2030. The underlying argument of this paper is that Marine Protected Areas are not being implemented to the degree of providing real protection, providing a false sense of accomplishment. Although designation is quickly increasing, it is not being followed by the same haste of implementation. An analysis is provided on the ecological coherence of the Mediterranean Network of MPAs from a single species approach - Sea Turtles - since this is one of the main foundations of an effective network. To gain a better understanding of the claims made about their designation status two countries are chosen as case studies to provide a deeper insight as well as an in-depth analysis of selected MPAs through a regulation-based classification system. A different system than the one currently in use must be used to accommodate for the discrepancy between designation and implementation. A more credible scenario can be presented by rephrasing the manner that protected area is asserted.