Conclusive Remarks on an Adriatic and Ionian Seas Response to Global Challenges in the Field of Environmental Protection: Towards Coordinated Networks of Marine Protected Areas?

This chapter presents a review of the current situation of environmental cooperation for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea, with a particular focus on the Adriatic and Ionian waters, with a view to identifying possibilities of further developments in the area covered by the EUSAIR. The present trend towards the establishment of exclusive economic zones could become an incentive towards the adoption of a coherent and coordinated Adriatic and Ionian network of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. The UNCLOS and other treaties applicable at the world or regional level promote the establishment of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures in any kind of marine spaces, irrespective of their legal condition. Proposals for establishing area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, are submitted by a single State or by several States with a management plan encompassing the proposed measures, and outlining monitoring, research and review activities.