Category Archives: Publications

May24

Une nouvelle publication ornithologique pour l’Afrique du Nord

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Une nouvelle publication ornithologique pour l’Afrique du Nord

Source: Initiative PIM pour les Petites Iles de Méditerranée

Une nouvelle publication ornithologique pour l’Afrique du Nord : Paru dernièrement et lancé le 10/05/2012 lors de la 5ième session de la réunion des Parties contractantes à l’AEWA, « L’Atlas des oiseaux d’eau hivernant en Libye » vient de combler un vide dans les données sur les oiseaux d’eau en Afrique du Nord. Cet ouvrage bilingue (Arabe-Anglais) de 312 pages décrit 110 espèces d’oiseaux d’eau observées en Libye durant les hivers de 2005 à 2010, avec des cartes de distribution et des graphiques qui reflètent l’abondance et la variation interannuelle des espèces. On y trouve aussi une carte détaillée des zones humides libyennes et leur classement selon leur importance internationale, régionale et nationale. Cet Atlas, dont l’impression a été rendu possible grâce a l’aide du Conservatoire du Littoral français, est surtout le fruit d’un travail contenu d’une équipe internationale appartenant à plusieurs organisations parmi lesquelles l’Autorité Générale de l’Environnement (EGA, Libye), Le Centre d’Activités Régionales pour les Aires Spécialement Protégées (CAR/ASP), l’Accord sur la Conservation des Oiseaux d’eau migrateurs d’Afrique-Eurasie (AEWA), l’’Institut supérieur pour la Protection et la Recherche scientifique pour l’Environnement (ISPRA, Italie), l’Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS, France) et l’Association « Les Amis des Oiseaux » (AAO, Partenaire de BirdLife, Tunisie).

May24

Publication on safety of chemicals’ transport in the Mediterranean

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Publication on safety of chemicals’ transport in the Mediterranean

Source: Programme Med

“Tying safely” is the first and brandnew publication of the project LOSAMEDCHEM which aims to improve the logistics and the safety of transports of chemicals in the Mediterranean area.

With this publication, ther partnership intends to offer concrete recommendations on “how the logistics and the safety of the transports of chemicals could be improved in the Mediterranean area”. To achieve this, “Tying safely” compiles identified best practices and results of SWOT analysis providing a thorough examination of the current situation of the chemical industry and chemical logistics in each partner’s region.

Each partner provided SWOT analysis following standardized models. All these information are gathered in the present publication. Each of the presented studies includes a short overview of the partner’s region, of the local chemical industry and of the logistics and transportation infrastructure, accompanied by the most significant traffic data.

In particular, the regional SWOT analysis, including the results of the expert interviews and workshops, provides some details of emerged needs and measures required for future actions and improvements.

The publication is now available online (click here). For further information, please check the website or contact Mr. Filippo Manfredda (losamedchem@provincia.novara.it).

May3

“The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life” Environmental education Kit in Arabic online version now available

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“The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life” Environmental education Kit in Arabic online version now available

Source: MEDASSET


In 2003, MEDASSET- Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles produced “The Mediterranean Sea, a Source of Life,” an original and unique Environmental Education Kit for dissemination to schools and youth groups. The kit is a tool for teachers and educational group leaders, aiming to engage 6-12 year old children from all over the Mediterranean region in creative activities, instilling knowledge, environmental values, and a sense of regional identity and responsibility.
The 50-page kit was published under the framework of MEDASSET’s educational programme to portray the richness of the region’s natural environment, the threats the region is facing, as well as the highly multi-cultural inheritance of the Mediterranean peoples, in an educationally innovative way.
In collaboration with the Hellenic Children’s Museum and Kaleidoscope Publications and financial assistance from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, UNEP/MAP (Greece), RAC/SPA (MAP) (Tunisia) and the Prince of Wales Foundation (UK), two thousand Greek language kits were produced and donated to Greek schools, and one thousand in English, for distribution throughout the Mediterranean and worldwide.
The kit includes: maps, fact sheets, activity sheets for 6-9 and 10-12 year old children, an “Educators Guidelines” booklet with evaluation sheet and bibliography.
The kit was adapted, translated, reproduced into Arabic and disseminated to schools and educational institutions bordering the Mediterranean.
Now you can download the Arabic version here: http://medasset.gr/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=35&lang=en

Apr4

Offshore Exploration and Exploitation in the Mediterreanean

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Offshore Exploration and Exploitation in the Mediterreanean

A new Future Brief focusing on the environmental impacts of offshore exploration and exploitation in the Mediterreanean is published by Science for Environment Policy today. It is free to download from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/FB3.pdf

Offshore exploration and exploitation activities include oil and gas development, as well as renewable energy generation and seabed mining for minerals, sand and gravel. This Future Brief presents currently available evidence on the impacts of these activities on the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterreanean.
Such activities are increasing in the Mediterranean marine environment, which is particularly vulnerable due to its semiclosed configuration and significant seismic activity.
Future Briefs are a series of horizon-scanning policy briefs, which provide an accessible overview of emerging areas of science and technology. To view previous issues:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/future_briefs.htm

May17

Challenges and opportunities of maritime and coastal tourism: public consultation launched today

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Challenges and opportunities of maritime and coastal tourism: public consultation launched today

Source: DG MARE, EC

Tourism is undoubtedly an economic backbone of coastal regions. At present about 2.36 million people are employed in the coastal tourism sector, representing 1.1% total EU employment.

Cruise tourism alone represents a distinct segment generating direct turnover of € 14.5 billion and nearly 150,000 jobs. At the same time, this sector faces specific challenges, such as seasonality (dependency on the sun and beach tourism), lack of skilled professionals and of innovation culture and growing external competition.

What actions can be envisaged to reap the full potential of a sustainable and smart coastal and maritime tourism? These actions could be derived from answers to the following questions:

  1. How to render maritime and coastal tourism more competitive?
  2. How to address environmental implications of tourism and its socio-cultural aspects?
  3. How to stimulate tourists from third countries to visit Europe and encouraging EU nationals to discover coastal regions?

At the joint initiative of Vice-president Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, and Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, a public consultation is launched today. The results will feed into a comprehensive overview of the recommendations and initiatives which could be sponsored and promoted at European level. All stakeholders are invited to submit their comments and suggestions by 9 July 2012.

Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime and Coastal Tourism in the EU – Public consultation: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/tourism/index_en.htm

Mar30

Scientific Field Survey Report for the Development of MPAs in Libya out now!

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Scientific Field Survey Report for the Development of MPAs in Libya out now!

Source: MedPartnership

WWF MedPO, UNEP RAC/SPA and EGA have published a report integrating biodiversity assessments and socio-economic data for the Ain El Ghazala and Bomba in Libya.  The report includes a summary description of the field survey carried out by international and national experts. The experts collected data on the marine biotopes and species and put together a socio-economic profile of local fishermen and hunters with a view to elaborating management plan outlines.

More information

Mar2

Guidelines for setting up and management of Specially Protected Areas for marine turtles in the Mediterranean – CAR/ASP (2011)

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Guidelines for setting up and management of Specially Protected Areas for marine turtles in the Mediterranean – CAR/ASP (2011)

Source: MedPan

©RAC/SPA (2011)

The complex biology of marine turtles needs to be taken into account in the setting up and management of protected areas for marine turtles.

Conserving adult female turtles and their nesting habitats merits top priority in any conservation strategy. The measures implemented to protect the Loggerhead turtle and the Green turtle must therefore focus on the terrestrial and marine areas, on and near their nesting beaches, including their feeding and mating areas. The protection of the beaches and the adjacent sea is particularly important in the Mediterranean Basin, where the coast is under pressure from tourism and recreational activities.

However, the biology of turtles is such that leaves little leeway in the selection process for beaches and also predetermines, to a large degree, the extent of the area needed and the basic management measures that need to be implemented.

The guidelines consider all these constraints and provide ideas for the implementation of efficient measures for the conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean.

You can download the report here : www.rac-spa.org

Read more

Feb24

“Petites îles de la Méditerranée, sentinelles de la biodiversité”

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“Petites îles de la Méditerranée, sentinelles de la biodiversité”

Source: Initiative PIM pour les Petites Iles de Méditerranée

Après un an de travail, le beau livre de Louis-Marie Préau, Laurent Ballesta et Sébastien Renou “Petites îles de la Méditerranée, sentinelles de la biodiversité” est enfin entre nos mains. Édité chez Gallimard, vous pourrez bientôt le retrouver dans toutes les bonnes librairies.

 

Feb3

The MWO presents its first report on Mediterranean Wetlands

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The MWO presents its first report on Mediterranean Wetlands

Source: Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory

The MWO’s analysis especially focuses on twenty-five indicators relating to wetlands biodiversity, the ecological services they provide, the pressures they are facing, and the actions taken by society to conserve and to sustainably manage them.

For three years, seventeen indicators have been developed and evaluated. The results of these analyzes  were reported in the first report on Mediterranean wetlands.

The key results of these analyzes are the following : contrasting trends for wetlands biodiversity between the Western and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, very strong and growing pressure on water resources and multiple causes of degradation on wetlands. Politic and governance issues added to the institutional divides between main stakeholders are the main causes of these pressures.

The report also underlines the many services provide by wetlandsto humans, especially the regulatory services such as water purification and flood-risk mitigation. It aims to provide strategic and operational recommendations and prospects for action to decision makers and civil society stakeholders.

More information