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DRAFT CIESM CONTRIBUTION TO
THE GREEN PAPER ON EU MARITIME POLICY
1. CONTEXT
CIESM naturally welcomes the efforts of the European Commission to develop a
strong, integrated Maritime Policy for Europe towards a strategy to protect and
conserve the marine environment. CIESM intends to contribute concretely to the
consultation process of the draft Green Paper (GP) on future EU maritime policy in
selected areas where it is particularly competent. This exercise allows us to carry out a
rigourous analysis of CIESM work over several decades to identify specific axes to
develop future concerted actions with major added value.
To begin with, CIESM intends to affirm officially, according to the EU declaration in
its strategic objectives for 2005-2009, the « particular need for an all-embracing
maritime policy… to be supported by excellence in marine scientific research,
technology and innovation ».
To this end, our CIESM contribution will partially address sections 2 and 4 of the GP,
and take advantage of some related questions to underline the peculiar complexity of
Mediterranean marine ecosystems that require a consolidated scientific knowledge to
be understood correctly so as to allow to set up effective strategies for the sustainable
use of resources. Scientific advice is especially necessary to address the monitoring
effort required to determine what is a “change” or a “trend” and what is only
variability. A few specific examples will be provided to reinforce this statement.
This paper includes a list of important recommendations towards a reliable
environmental monitoring strategy for the Mediterranean Sea. Briefly, this must be
based on long-term, high resolution measurements of mesoscale-phenomena for
which, in certain cases, the use of high technological tools is recommended.
From the origins of the Commission (1908), CIESM’s efficiency is based on its
scientific multidisciplinarity and both Gouvernmental and geographic
representativity. As one of the most authoritative bodies on Mediterranean
environmental related issues, CIESM provides an excellent example of effective use
of holistic approaches. We do believe that integrative, ecosystemic approaches are the
sine qua non condition to guarantee the success of environmental management
strategies.
CIESM takes the opportunity of its cross-basin coverage (7 EU; 13 non-EU Member
States) to encourage the cooperation between EU Member States and their
Mediterranean neighbours for what concerns : (i) the endorsement of main maritime
regulations for safety and security and (ii) common management of non territorial
waters so as to better detect and control illegal behaviours (e.g. fishing activities,
illegal discharges from the ships etc.). It goes without saying that, due to the specific
features of the Mediterranean - a semi-enclosed sea with highly urbanized coasts and
increasing maritime activities - any attempt to regulate maritime policy will not yield
important results without cross-Basin cooperation.
2. WORKPLAN (MILESTONES)
A four-step consultation process has been initiated by CIESM
1- An initial brainstorming meeting with sixteen scientific experts from various
disciplines was organized in Beaulieu-sur-mer, France on 16-17 March
2- Recommendations from the meeting will be presented and discussed, on 13
April, with a large audience of hundreds of marine scientists gathered in
Istanbul for the 38th CIESM International Congress
3- For three weeks thereafter (until 20 May), further feedback from CIESM
scientific network will be collected in a specially dedicated electronic forum
on our website, and processed.
4- The final document will be circulated among the CIESM Board Members for
validation prior to be sent officially to the EU (mid June).
3. DETAILED CONTRIBUTION TO GP-SECTION 2
4. DETAILED CONTRIBUTION TO GP-SECTION 4
5. POLICY ISSUES – MARGINAL CONTRIBUTION TO GP SECTION 5
6. MAJOR CRITICISMS TO THE GP
Annex I (Brainstorming outline)
1. Rationale
We have identified certain axes, where we feel that CIESM – with its coverage of
most marine disciplines and its broad experience with marine environmental
programs on both shores of the Mediterranean (7 EU; 13 non-EU countries – could
uniquely enrich the Green Paper initiative:
a) identification of major vectors of change in the Mediterranean Sea, along
with clear, relevant warning signals (macro-descriptors, easy to track for
the most part) that could be usefully monitored by cross-basin CIESM
coordinated actions;
b) the identification of appropriate geographic and temporal scales for
survey, and of key, highly sensitive, geographic areas suitable for “early
warning”;
c) the identification of available time series and of large (national/ regional)
data sets related to these issues; together with the identification of major
data gaps.
Several monitoring programmes tracking key marine parameters are already operating
across the Mediterranean under CIESM control. To manage the different sets of data
thus generated, CIESM has included Data Management among its priorities and plans
to develop a prototype MetaBase for the consultation/management of data in relation
to their geographic location. The data generated by CIESM ongoing programmes
(http://www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/index.htm) will provide basic inputs to the
Baseline Data set and could be very usefully linked with other relevant datasets.
1.1 Objectives/ intro of the meeting
As a first step in the consultation, a brainstorming meeting was organized by CIESM
in order to prepare (a) a preliminary document around the above questions, and (b)
suggest a list of relevant CIESM concerted actions with major added value. This
meeting took place at the Hotel Jean Fréville, in Beaulieu-sur-mer, on 16-17 March
2007. A second step will be a further discussion/ consolidation in Istanbul (midApril), prior to finalizing the CIESM contribution to the Green Paper in mid-May.
After welcoming the participants, the Director General, Frédéric Briand, presented the
potential spectrum and relevance of a ‘cross-Mediterranean’ CIESM input to the
Green Paper, emphasizing the main objectives, focus and structure of this
brainstorming exercise. He was followed by presentations of the Green Paper
Initiative by Dr. Ölle Hagstrom (Head of Unit) and Dr. Kathrine Angell-Hansen from
DG “Fisheries and Maritime Affairs”, who provided key recommendations for a most
efficient input to the EU questionnaire.
Sixteen scientists (list below) participated to the event and gave introductory talks
detailing specific Mediterranean trends (e.g., time series of key descriptors).
Name
Boero,
Ferdinando
Budillon,
Giorgio
Casazza,
Gianna
Dell’Anno,
Antonio
El Moumni,
Bouchta
Gasparini
Giampietro
Gorsky,
Gaby
Greco,
Silvestro
Lascaratos,
Alex
Marcelli,
Marco
Institution
Univ. Salento, ITA
Univ. Naples, ITA
APAT, ITA
Univ. Ancona, ITA
FST, Tanger, MOR
ISMAR, CNR, ITA
CNRS, Vlfr./s/mer, FRA
ICRAM, ITA
Univ. Athens, GRE
Univ. La Tuscia, ITA
Obs. Villefranche, FRA
Mascle, Jean
IEO, Barcelona, SPA
Oliver, Pere
Öztürk,
Bayram
Papathanassi
ou, Vangelis
Ribera
D’Alcalà,
Maurizio
Univ. Istanbul, TUR
Rosen, Dov
IOLR, Haifa, ISR
HCMR, Athens, GRE
SZN, Naples, ITA
Title of Contribution
Macrodescriptors: looking at simplicity
to understand complexity
Propagation of the EMT from the Eastern
to the Western Mediterranean
The Water Framework Directive: (WFD)
Directive 2000/60/EC
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
in the deep Mediterranean sea
Erosion côtière: Cas de la marge
méditerranéenne marocaine
Propagation of the EMT from the Eastern
to the Western Mediterranean
ZOOPLANKTON - ecological and
biological indicator
The Channel of Sicily as a key warning
system
Climatic Variability of the Mediterranean
Sea and its Regional Seas
Distribution of primary production along
the water column by means of variable
fluorescence methods
Bottom discontinuities and active zones
(e.g. mud volcanoes, methane seeping
areas) as a source of energy sustaining
deep-sea communities.
Major available Data Bases containing
Oceanographic, Marine Biology (zooand phytoplankton), and Fishery data
Indicator Species for the Aegean and
Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Ecosystems: what we
know, what we miss…
Suggested elaboration of long-term
monitoring data to a better detection of
recurrent patterns and anomalies
MedGLOSS Map of Near Real-Time and
Delayed Mode Network of Sea Level
Monitoring Stations
The following scientists were not able to join the event, but they are kept in the loop
of preliminary discussions:
Boudouresque, Charles
Univ. Marseilles, FRA
Duarte, Carlos
Font, Jordi
Fuda, Jean-Luc
Galil, Bella
Kideys, Ahmet E.
Millot, Claude
Nival, Paul
Sala, Enric
Taupier-Letage, Isabelle
CSIC, Mallorca, SPA
CSIC, Barcelona, SPA
COM, Marseilles, FRA
IOLR, Haifa, ISR
Inst. of Mar. Sc., Içel, TUR
CNRS, La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRA
Obs. Villefranche, FRA
CSIC, Blanes, SPA/ Scripps, USA
LOB, CNRS, La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRA
The individual presentations and ensuing discussions helped better define
Mediterranean typical features and their associated risks, and to formulate key
recommendations for setting up reliable monitoring programs in the Mediterranean
Sea. A very preliminary attempt to identify reliable frames for a Mediterranean “subregionalization” was made in some specific cases. The meeting included an exercise
to explore how to better orient the future CIESM Metabase, keeping in mind the main
expertise and current initiatives of our Commission, so as to fill crying gaps. Within
this exercise, several relevant available databases (regional/ national) were suggested,
that could be either part of an integrated, comprehensive Mediterranean Metabase or
simply used as reference (e.g. to identify major trends, determine strategic geographic
areas that could serve as “early warning systems” for detecting changes, etc.).
1.2 Typical Mediterranean features and/or patterns
-
-
-
Semi-enclosed sea ………………………...=> More sensitive to coastal and
climate change effects
High (increasing) coastal urbanisation …...=> High impact of human activities
with associated risks of
contamination, erosion et al.
Highly reduced river input ………………=> Strong effect on sediment load,
coastal erosion, salinity.
Episodic/rare
but
heavy
rainfalls, up to (catastrophic)
flash floods, are usually
associated with high sediment
loads (to be considered for
the
time
scale
of
observations).
Deep-sea proximity..………………………..=> (1) Fast both horizontal and
downward (linked to winter
convection and mesoscale
activity) transfer of stress
effects to the highly fragile
deep-sea ecosystems (links
with chemical pollution and
water cycles/climate change)
=> (2) Easy-to-exploit bottom
resources (drilling, placement
-
-
-
-
of cables, increasing deep-sea
fishing, etc.)
Crossroad between Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans => (1) risk of replacing
endemic species with exotics;
=> (2) Intense cross-ocean
maritime
traffic
and
associated risks (e.g., oil and
ballast transport)
Plate tectonics/Active zones >>
Vast amounts of sources of
energy located on seabed
=> (1) Potentially high
number of deep-sea sustained
trophic webs;
=> (2) Risk of future increase
–non regulated- of industrial
drilling activities
Intricate seabed topography/geographical variety >> complex circulation
dynamics1 =>
(1)
real
difficulties in forecasting
environmental changes
=> (2) need of studying the
system
at
“case-by-case
optimized scale.
Deep sea water Formation
Dilution
North-western
Mediterranean basins, namely
the Adriatic, and central
Ligurian
Seas,
export
relatively fresh water to the
surface layers of the adjacent
areas. Those areas also loose
heat every year so as to
generate dense water, which
is
exported
throughout
bottom layers. The interannual variability of those
flows and their compensating
inflows (that balance losses)
are tightly connected to
climatic conditions.
For all these reasons, the Mediterranean offers a unique panorama of highly
diversified communities distributed along vertical gradients (down to the deepest
zones –below 3000 m- where temperature never goes below 12°C, with canyons, sea
mounts, hypersaline lakes, providing unique and much varied habitats). It is
1
For what concerns circulation patterns, the Mediterranean exhibits symmetry between the eastern and
western basins, and dissymmetry between the northern (mostly regular circulation - Northern Currentwinter dry northern wind regime and deep convection), and southern shores (mesoscale dominant).
Especially for the North, the circulation being mostly continuous, this means that all riparian countries
downstream will be affected in case of pollution => need for a coherent effort (Taupier-Letage)
characterized by a high endemism and very peculiar physical processes (e.g. deep
convection, formation of intermediate –LIW, WIW- waters, short duration
upwellings2), which lead to very specific ecological patterns and processes. It may
harbour very rare and/or yet undescribed forms of life exhibiting metabolic patterns of
potential industrial interest (deep-sea chemoauto- and chemoorganotrophic
microorganisms able to carry out unusual and highly exploitable chemical processes).
Because of its small dimensions, the sea response to atmospheric forcing is very
rapid. Hence the Mediterranean Sea can be used as a testbed for global climatic
changes (see EMT as a rapid response to changes in atmospheric forcing).
1.3 Common conclusions stemming from individual presentations
Common conclusions were all linked by the fact that dynamics of the Mediterranean
sea is strongly driven by meso-scale processes (from a few kilometres to a few
hundred kilometres). Here follow major conclusions that were shared by all
participants:
- Suitability of “intermediate scale” studies and related key descriptors (Ozturk,
Boero, Marcelli, Ribera D’Alcalà)
- Need of long-term (decadal, at least) monitoring for detecting ecological
patterns (Boero, Marcelli, Gorsky)
- Need to increase the accuracy (i.e. “resolution”) of the analyses so as to detect
irregularities (e.g. for biological data to focus on species rather than total
stocks) (Boero, Oliver, Greco).
- For correct interpretation of biological data, need to take into consideration
their related ecological aspects (e.g. life cycles etc.). Among the examples, a
wrong mismatch of prey-predator life cycles due to a species substitution
could be the reason of the stock decrease (G. Gorsky)
1.4 Mediterranean “sub-regions”
. The definition of the spatial extension of “internally homogeneous areas” for various
parameters may be important for monitoring changes of specific events. Moreover,
this may help to set up targeted monitoring strategies according to the features of each
defined sub-region.
Two examples were proposed, defining Mediterranean sub-regions according to
distribution patterns of two major parameters:
- Fishstat+[1] (FAO, updated yearly since 1970) Geographic mapping, where
sub-regions are detected on the basis of species landings
(http://www.fao.org/fi/website/FIRetrieveAction.do?dom=topic&fid=16073).
Specific trends from this GIS may provide information on the health and the
level of exploitation of the different systems (P. Oliver).
2
The Mediterranean Sea is characterized by short duration upwellings due to episodic strong wind
events Their peculiarity is that they do not last long enough to be productive, but this puts a high
temperature stress on flora and fauna.
-
A "First order regionalization" chart, based on spatial variability in the
seasonal cycle of autotrophic biomass accumulation (obtained by a selective
clustering of SeaWiFS time series) (D’Ortenzio & Ribera d’Alcala’, 2007).
1.5 Key warning areas
One of CIESM’s strengths will be to address the monitoring effort required to determine what is a
“change” or a “trend” and what is only variability (e;g. EMT is not a climatic change: it is decadal
variability –up to now at least). This variability may not be known well enough in all domains to
answer honestly the EU preoccupations. Based on the set of individual contributions, some
preliminary key areas were suggested that could serve as early warning systems for
detecting environmental changes (the list is not exhaustive):
- Sicily Channel (EMT, increase in number of Atlantic and Indo-Pacific
subtropical and tropical species, increase of whale stocks, collapsed catches of
sardines, mackerel species, increasing catch of blue fin tuna and tuna like
species, spreading trend of exotic species of Indo-Pacific origin) (Gasparini,
Budillon, Greco, Boero, Papathanassiou)
- Aegean Sea (invasive species, LIW formation, plate tectonics)
(Papathanassiou, Ozturk, Mascle). Limited both in P and N, the Aegean Sea is
characterized by a southeastward (i) increase in oligotrophy, and (ii) decrease
in the efficiency of energy transfer through the pelagic food web (V.
Patathanassiou). A preliminary list of biological macrodescriptors has been
proposed for the Aegean Sea, of which long-term monitoring could be useful
to detect ecological changes in this area of the Mediterranean Sea (B. Oztürk,
N. Boero).
- Straits (Gibraltar, Corsica, Dardanelles): tropicalization, cascading effects of
water masses.
- COASTAL AREAS are extremely sensitive to the atmospheric forcing and
changes. It would be desirable to consider some "key warming area" on
shallow water. Among those, the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Trieste where
decadal time series on physical and biochemical parameters are available
(Budillon).
- North Adriatic. It is the coldest part of the whole Mediterranean and hosts a
particular biota of clear boreal affinity (e.g. Fucus virsoides). It is the site of
deep water formation of the Eastern Mediterranean. Presumbably highly
sensitive to temperature increases. Well known biota due to the long tradition
of marine studies in the Gulf of Trieste. Appropriate to historical ecology
approaches (Boero).
- Tyrrhenian Sea (Northward moving of the gradient/tropicalization associated
patterns, and invasive species) (Gasparini, Budillon, Ribera-D’Alcalà,
Marcelli, Dell’Anno)
SPECIFICALLY linked to BIODIVERSITY ISSUES
- Sea mounts (Dell’Anno) (e.g. Ionian and Tyrrhenian sea)
- Deep-sea (white) coral reefs zones (Central Mediterranean Sea)
1.6 Data Bases
Given CIESM central role in Mediterranean-related multidisciplinary research, and
realizing the critical importance of mapping distribution of key parameters at basin
scale for the correct understanding of ecosystem changes, CIESM could provide an
ideal site for data rescue and integration.
Within this context, some preliminary options have been considered and discussed,
namely suitable data sets to be developed or, others, that have been partially created
and could be integrated or linked to the future CIESM Metabase. Already existing,
full reliable Data sets might be used as references or as case studies to try identifying
major trends or key areas. As preliminary options, the following were mentioned:
1. The Data Base of the Programme “Italian MATT-Regioni”. Within this
Programme, 1770 Coastal stations (1997-2000) and 400 stations (2001-2004)
have been sampled to measure several biological parameters (including
diversity and abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic
populations) related to the water quality in relation to its ecological status (G.
Casazza; S. Greco).
2. The possibility has been suggested of using the FAO Fishstat+ Database,
which includes landings by species and countries since 1950 and by
Mediterranean subregions since 1970, to define macroindicators showing
changes in the Mediterranean LMR (P. Oliver).
3. The lack of a consistent data base showing post-1990 data related to river run
off in the Mediterranean Sea has been underlined. Some individual initiatives
(e.g. J. Milliman, W. Ludwig –personal communication) trace a reliable story
of temporal and spatial changes in river discharge in the Mediterranean Sea
but the story is incomplete, and will not be truly comprehensive until a full
database is created. CIESM could help filling the gaps by encouraging
Mediterranean countries to contribute data to a central (CIESM?) dataset.
4. CIESM could make a similar effort by combining physical data (T/S through
the entire water column) and thus complete the puzzle that is already getting
more and more defined thanks to its HydroChanges, MedGLOSS and
TransMED Programs (G. Gasparini, G. Budillon).
5. A Data Base on erosion trends of the Mediterranean coastline is missing (B. El
Moumni). Moreover, information on this subject related to the EU
Mediterranean coastal regions (EU Maritime Policy, 2006, 3rd edition?) is not
reliable (V. Papathanassiou). CIESM may play a central facilitating role.
6. CIESM Data concerning the distribution of some chemical contaminants, with
emphasis on new emerging contaminants, could be integrated with other
existing Databases (e.g. IASON, MEDICIS, SESAME).
7. How to link data from the Mediterranean international multidisciplinary
cruises (e.g. SESAME, CIESM-SUB, ESF-Eurodeep/BIOFUN)? This would
allow for some of them a field integrated (holistic) study of Mediterranean
changes at basin scale and help to coordinate plans for future campaigns
(location, time, main objectives).
2. Further suggestions (details)
The Mediterranean Sea is strongly driven by meso-scale processes (from a few
kilometres to a few hundred kilometres), e.g. with eddies that attain the characteristics
of stationary gyres. It follows that any endeavour to improve the skill of operational
modelling and forecasting Mediterranean ecosystem dynamics requires a sufficient
understanding of mesoscale processes (see CIESM Workshop Monograph n°27). A
recurrent problem in many oceanographic mesoscale studies is the difficulty to adapt
the sampling needs of different aspects of a multidisciplinary program to a unique,
coherent observational strategy. The brainstorming was also aiming to draft a list of
important recommendations towards a reliable environmental monitoring strategy to
be applied to the Mediterranean Sea. This shall be based, mainly, on a complex,
multidisciplinary approach to measure, accurately, meso-scale phenomena.
2.1 Methodological Issues (including key parameters)
The need to increase the power of resolution as well as to improve the quality of time
series measurements, was a priority recommendation. This was extended to the
measurements of both abiotic and biological parameters, and, in the case of general
surveys, included the usefulness of high technology for exploring marine
environments.
GENERAL SURVEYS
● PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY
Synoptic spatial patterns from satellite and mooring’s data should be
complemented by Phyto-VFP (variable fluorescence) Chlorophyll a
measurements along the water column to fill the gaps (proposed model T-FLAP;
European Patent EPO07425096) (Marcelli)
● BOTTOM MORPHO-BATHYMETRY
High resolution image studies of the bottom morpho-bathymetry carried out by
especially equipped autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) have recorded a high
amount of punctual sea floor deformations correlated with gas (mainly methane)
seeps on the seafloor, that were missed by previous surveys. This kind of
measurements shall be extended to a representative area so as to allow the update
of estimates about the amount of available sources of energy at the bottom
(Mascle).
CIRCULATION / MESOSCALE DYNAMICS Recommendation to carry out accurate and
timely observations of deepwater currents were made. Moored ADCPs yield
unvaluable time series. Ship-mounted ADCPs or CTD/ADCPs deployed from
ships (Lowered ADCP - LADCP) provide a complementary description that is
necessary for interpreting correctly other (biological- biogeochemical)
parameters(Budillon, Taupier-Letage).
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(Ozturk, Boero, Gorsky, Marcelli, Ribera-D’Alcalà, Oliver, Greco)
Biodiversity related surveys must be carried out carefully. Taxonomic studies should
preferably reach the “species” level. This is particularly important while considering
the possibility of settlement of alien species: the record of Caulerpa sp might mean
that the species is C. racemosa, the native Caluerpa of the Mediterranean, or is either
C. taxifolia or C. racemosa, two alien species. Moreover, for correctly understanding
the ecological impact of a change in biodiversity, several “functional” parameters
should be considered as necessary complements to the taxonomic studies. The roles of
most species are still unknown, but it is presumably correct that habitat-forming
species are of particular importance.
A rough attempt to list key species for monitoring certain environmental conditions
was undertaken but it remained very preliminary. Neither the geographic boundaries
of the suggested species nor the adequate time scales were precised. Here follow
some of the items mentioned (for possible development later):
FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS
● Shifts in food webs
● Phases and duration of seasons
● Change in size spectra
TAXONOMIC PARAMETERS (VERY PRELIMINARY LIST)
- transition from fish to gelatinous biomass
- shift in elasmobranch : bony fish ratio– Healthy status of ecosystem (Oliver)
- sea urchin barrens (Boero)
Monitor the extension of ‘desertified’ marine areas’ caused by overgrazing linked
to population explosions of Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula populations
– (for rocky bottoms)
- Tintinnids (oral opening) (Ribera D’Alcalà from Modigh, 2007)
- Alien species- signals for maritime traffic related risks3, trans-canal
introduction, mariculture4 and global warning5 (Galil). Optimal site for
monitoring: SE Levant (“the Sentinel area”), and southern Aegean and the
Sicilian channel (important way stations). CIESM has been in the forefront of
this issue (worldwide)
2.2 Long-term monitoring
Reliable monitoring programmes should cover a time frame allowing recurrent
patterns to be detected. Therefore, they must be adjusted to the parameter(s) to be
monitored. An important task will be to identify the optimal (long term) duration of
3
Definitely, some AS benefit from the intensification of maritime traffic: of the 183 alien molluscs in
the Med, 48 are considered to be either introduced or secondarily transported by vessels. Mariculturethe expansion of mariculture in the 1970s & 1980s is closely reflected in the number and locations of
AS.
4
The expansion of mariculture in the 1970s & 1980s is closely reflected in the number and locations of
AS.
5
Since most alien species are thermophilic, higher SST and changes in the hydrographic regimes help
expand AS ranges beyond thier present distributions
monitoring activities for the different key parameters. For biological parameters, this
will logically deal with life cycle duration of the considered species.
Due to the documented high variability at meso- and decadal scales (at least)
of the circulation dynamics, monitoring of physical patterns should be extended to
several decades.
Some promising examples have been provided (Ribera D’Alcalà):
- 20 years temperature time series in Mediterranean case study areas illustrate
with a sufficient reliability the inter-annual variability trends.
- 20 years time series of measurements related to the build-up of phytoplankton
biomass indicated clearly the appearance of “tropical features” (maximum
values in January-February) in certain areas of the Mediterranean Sea. There
were no significant links between the geographical occurrence of this
phenomenon and the latitude of the interested areas.
3. Other Issues
3.1 Policy Issues
Need of integrating Non- EU Mediterranean States in the Mediterranean common
policy (“mixed agreements”) for what concerns, particularly, the following issues:
- To apply regulatory constraints that guarantee maritime traffic safety (ex.
specific case of oil tankers, and related risks of oil spill accidents all over the
Mediterranean Sea)
- To formalize a common agreement that regulates the use of non territorial
waters and the access to their resources (lack of EEZ in Mediterranean hinders
good governance of high seas). This should include a special chapter on
free/facilitated access to claimed EEZs for scientific work:campaigns
(Taupier-Letage).
3.2 Science and Policy
- A better integration of scientists and policy makers in the various steps leading to
final endorsement of directives would lead to more effective, non biased results.
- Future discussions with World Bank Organization to prepare a coordinated strategy
for 2008 (V. Papathanassiou).