Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean
Date: 1995-06-10
Institutions: Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, European Community, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia
Subjects: Mediterranean Sea, biodiversity, conservation of resources, international convention, protected area, protected species, protocol to an agreement

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PROTOCOL CONCERNING SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN

THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THIS PROTOCOL,

BEING PARTIES to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, adopted at Barcelona
on 16 February 1976,

CONSCIOUS of the profound impact of human activities on the state of the marine environment and the littoral and
more generally on the ecosystems of areas having prevailing Mediterranean features,

STRESSING the importance of protecting and, as appropriate, improving the state of the Mediterranean natural and
cultural heritage, in particular through the establishment of specially protected areas and also by the protection and
conservation of threatened species,

CONSIDERING the instruments adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and
particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992),

CONSCIOUS that when there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity, lack of full scientific
certainty should not be invoked as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimise such a threat,

CONSIDERING that all the Contracting Parties should cooperate to conserve, protect and restore the health and
integrity of ecosystems and that they have, in this respect, common but differentiated responsibilities,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Definitions

(e)

is likely to
(cid:145)Threatened species(cid:146) means any species that
become extinct within the foreseeable future throughout all
or part of its range and whose survival is unlikely if the
factors causing numerical decline or habitat degradation
continue to operate;

(f)

(cid:145)Conservation status of a species(cid:146) means the sum of the
influences acting on the species
its
long-term distribution and abundance;

that may affect

For the purposes of this Protocol:

(g)

(cid:145)Parties(cid:146) means the Contracting Parties to this Protocol;

(a)

(cid:145)Convention(cid:146) means the Convention for the Protection of
the Mediterranean Sea
adopted at
Barcelona on 16 February 1976 and amended at Barcelona
in 1995;

against Pollution,

(b)

(cid:145)Biological diversity(cid:146) means the variability among living
organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity
within species, between species and of ecosystems;

(c)

(cid:145)Endangered species(cid:146) means any species that is in danger of
extinction throughout all or part of its range;

(d)

(cid:145)Endemic species(cid:146) means any species whose range is
restricted to a limited geographical area;

(h)

(cid:145)Organisation(cid:146) means the organisation referred to in Article
2 of the Convention;

(i)

(cid:145)Centre(cid:146) means the Regional Activity Centre for Specially
Protected Areas.

Article 2

Geographical coverage

The area to which this Protocol applies shall be the area
the

the Mediterranean Sea as delimited in Article 1 of

1.
of
Convention. It also includes:

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(cid:151) the seabed and its subsoil,

(cid:151) the waters, the seabed and its subsoil on the landward side
of the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial
sea is measured and extending, in the case of watercourses,
up to the freshwater limit,

(cid:151) the terrestrial coastal areas designated by each of

the

Parties, including wetlands.

2.
Nothing in this Protocol nor any act adopted on the
basis of this Protocol shall prejudice the rights, the present and
future claims or legal views of any state relating to the law of
in particular, the nature and the extent of marine
the sea,
areas, the delimitation of marine areas between states with
opposite or adjacent coasts, freedom of navigation on the high
seas, the right and the modalities of passage through straits
innocent
used for international navigation and the right of
passage in territorial seas, as well as the nature and extent of
the jurisdiction of the coastal state, the flag state and the port
state.

this
No act or activity undertaken on the basis of
3.
Protocol shall constitute grounds for claiming, contending or
disputing any claim to national sovereignty or jurisdiction.

Article 3

General obligations

1.

Each Party shall take the necessary measures to:

(a) protect, preserve

and manage

and
environmentally sound way areas of particular natural or
cultural value, notably by the establishment of specially
protected areas;

sustainable

in a

likely to have a significant adverse impact on the conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity, and monitor their
effects.

6.
Each Party shall apply the measures provided for in this
the
Protocol without prejudice
jurisdiction of other Parties or other states. Any measures
taken by a Party to enforce these measures
shall be in
accordance with international law.

sovereignty or

to the

PART II

PROTECTION OF AREAS

S e c t i o n 1

Specially protected areas

Article 4

Objectives

The objective of specially protected areas is:

(a)

to safeguard representative types of coastal and marine
ecosystems of adequate size to ensure their long-term
viability and to maintain their biological diversity;

(b) to safeguard habitats which are in danger of disappearing
in their natural area of distribution in the Mediterranean or
which have a reduced natural area of distribution as a
consequence of their regression or on account of their
intrinsically restricted area;

(b) protect, preserve and manage threatened or endangered

species of flora and fauna.

(c)

to safeguard habitats critical to the survival, reproduction
and recovery of endangered, threatened or endemic species
of flora or fauna;

The Parties

shall cooperate, directly or

through the
2.
competent international organisations, in the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity in the area to which this
Protocol applies.

The Parties shall identify and compile inventories of the
its

3.
components
of
conservation and sustainable use.

important

biological

diversity

for

4.
The Parties shall adopt strategies, plans and programmes
for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable
use of marine and coastal biological
resources and shall
integrate them into their relevant sectoral and intersectoral
policies.

5.
The Parties shall monitor the components of biological
diversity referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article and shall
identify processes and categories of activities which have or are

(d) to safeguard sites of particular importance because of their

scientific, aesthetic, cultural or educational interest.

Article 5

Establishment of specially protected areas

Each Party may establish specially protected areas in the
sovereignty or
subject

1.
marine and coastal zones
jurisdiction.

to its

If a Party intends to establish, in an area subject to its
2.
sovereignty or national jurisdiction, a specially protected area
contiguous to the frontier and to the limits of a zone subject
to the sovereignty or national jurisdiction of another Party, the
competent authorities of the two Parties shall endeavour to
cooperate, with a view to reaching agreement on the measures

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to be taken and shall, inter alia, examine the possibility of the
other Party establishing a corresponding specially protected
area or adopting any other appropriate measures.

If a Party intends to establish, in an area subject to its
3.
sovereignty or national jurisdiction, a specially protected area
contiguous to the frontier and to the limits of a zone subject
to the sovereignty or national jurisdiction of a state that is not
a Party to this Protocol, the Party shall endeavour to cooperate
with that state as referred to in the previous paragraph.

4.
If a state which is not a party to this Protocol intends to
establish a specially protected area contiguous to the frontier
and to the limits of a zone subject
to the sovereignty or
national jurisdiction of a Party to this Protocol, the latter shall
endeavour to cooperate with that state as referred to in
paragraph 2.

Article 6

Protection measures

in conformity with international

law and taking
The Parties,
into account
the characteristics of each specially protected
area, shall take the protection measures required, in particular:

(h) the regulation and if necessary the prohibition of any other
activity or act likely to harm or disturb the species or that
might endanger the state of conservation of the ecosystems
or
the natural or cultural
characteristics of the specially protected area;

species or might

impair

(i) any other measure aimed at safeguarding ecological and

biological processes and the landscape.

Article 7

Planning and management

The Parties

1.
international
and monitoring measures for the specially protected areas.

in accordance with the rules of
law, adopt planning, management, supervision

shall,

Such measures

2.
protected area:

should

include

for

each specially

(a)

the development and adoption of a management plan that
specifies the legal and institutional
framework and the
management and protection measures applicable;

(b) the

continuous monitoring
habitats, population dynamics,
impact of human activities;

of
ecological processes,
landscapes, as well as the

(a)

the strengthening of the application of the other Protocols
to the Convention and of other relevant treaties to which
they are Parties;

(c)

(b) the prohibition of the dumping or discharge of wastes and
other substances likely directly or indirectly to impair the
integrity of the specially protected area;

(c)

the regulation of the passage of ships and any stopping or
anchoring;

(d) the regulation of

the introduction of any species not
indigenous to the specially protected area in question, or
of genetically modified species, as well as the introduction
or
reintroduction of species which are or have been
present in the specially protected area;

(e)

the regulation or prohibition of any activity involving the
exploration or modification of the soil or the exploitation
of the subsoil of the land part, the seabed or its subsoil;

(f)

the regulation of any scientific research activity;

(g) the regulation or prohibition of fishing, hunting, taking of
animals and harvesting of plants or their destruction, as
well as trade in animals, parts of animals, plants, parts of
plants, which originate in specially protected areas;

of
appropriate,

involvement
as

local
and
communities
the
active
in the management of
populations,
specially protected areas,
including assistance to local
inhabitants who might be affected by the establishment of
such areas;

(d) the adoption of mechanisms for financing the promotion
and management of specially protected areas, as well as the
development of activities which ensure that management is
compatible with the objectives of such areas;

(e)

the regulation of activities compatible with the objectives
for which the specially protected area was established and
the terms of the related permits;

(f)

the training of managers and qualified technical personnel,
as well
appropriate
development
as
infrastructure.

the

an

of

3.
The Parties shall ensure that national contingency plans
incorporate measures for responding to incidents that could
cause damage or constitute a threat to the specially protected
areas.

4. When specially protected areas covering both land and
marine areas have been established, the Parties shall endeavour
to ensure
administration and
coordination of
management of the specially protected area as a whole.

the

the

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S e c t i o n 2

Specially protected areas of Mediterranean importance

(c) by the neighbouring Parties concerned in areas where the
limits of national sovereignty or jurisdiction have not yet
been defined.

Article 8

Establishment of the list of specially protected areas of
Mediterranean importance

the Centre with an introductory

Parties making proposals for inclusion in the SPAMI list
3.
shall provide
report
containing information on the area’s geographical location, its
physical and ecological characteristics,
its
management plans and the means for their implementation, as
well as a statement justifying its Mediterranean importance;

status,

legal

its

1.
In order to promote cooperation in the management and
conservation of natural areas, as well as in the protection of
threatened species and their habitats, the Parties shall draw up
a
of Mediterranean
importance(cid:146), hereinafter referred to as the (cid:145)SPAMI list(cid:146).

specially protected

areas

(cid:145)List

of

2.

The SPAMI list may include sites which:

(cid:151) are of

importance for conserving the components of

biological diversity in the Mediterranean,

(cid:151) contain ecosystems specific to the Mediterranean area or

the habitats of endangered species,

(cid:151) are of special interest at the scientific, aesthetic, cultural or

educational levels.

3.

The Parties agree:

(a)

to recognise the particular importance of these areas for
the Mediterranean;

(b) to comply with the measures applicable to the SPAMIs and
not to authorise nor undertake any activities that might be
contrary to the objectives for which the SPAMIs were
established.

Article 9

Procedure for the establishment and listing of SPAMIs

SPAMIs may be established,

1.
following the procedure
provided for in paragraphs 2 to 4 of this Article; in: (a) the
marine and coastal zones
to the sovereignty or
jurisdiction of the Parties; (b) zones partly or wholly on the
high seas.

subject

2.

Proposals for inclusion in the list may be submitted:

(a) by the Party concerned, if the area is situated in a zone
already delimited, over which it exercises sovereignty or
jurisdiction;

(a) where a proposal is formulated under subparagraphs 2(b)
and 2(c) of this Article, the neighbouring Parties concerned
shall consult each other with a view to ensuring the
consistency of the proposed protection and management
measures, as well as the means for their implementation;

(b) proposals made under paragraph 2 of this Article shall
and management measures
their

indicate
applicable to the area as well as the means of
implementation.

protection

the

The procedure for inclusion of the proposed area in the

4.
list is the following:

(a)

for each area,
the proposal shall be submitted to the
National Focal Points, which shall examine its conformity
with the common guidelines and criteria adopted pursuant
to Article 16;

(b)

(c)

if a proposal made in accordance with subparagraph 2(a)
of
this Article is consistent with the guidelines and
common criteria, after assessment, the Organisation shall
inform the meeting of the Parties, which shall decide to
include the area in the SPAMI list;

if a proposal made in accordance with subparagraphs 2(b)
and 2(c) of this Article is consistent with the guidelines
and common criteria, the Centre shall transmit it to the
Organisation, which shall
the
Parties. The decision to include the area in the SPAMI list
shall be taken by consensus by the Contracting Parties,
which shall also approve the management measures
applicable to the area.

inform the meeting of

implement

shall
specified in their proposals

The Parties which proposed the inclusion of the area in
5.
the protection and conservation
the list
measures
in accordance with
paragraph 3 of this Article. The Contracting Parties undertaken
to observe the rules thus laid down. The Centre shall inform
the competent international organisations of the list and of the
measures taken in the SPAMIs.

(b) by two or more neighbouring Parties concerned if the area

is situated, partly or wholly, on the high sea;

The Parties may revise the SPAMI list. To this end, the

6.
Centre shall prepare a report.

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Article 10

Changes in the status of SPAMIs

6.
The Parties shall formulate and adopt measures and plans
in particular captive
with regard to ex situ reproduction,
breeding of protected fauna and propagation of protected
flora.

Changes in the delimitation or legal status of a SPAMI or the
suppression of all or part of such an area shall not be decided
on unless there are important reasons for doing so, taking into
account the need to safeguard the environment and comply
laid down in this Protocol and a
with the obligations
the
followed for the creation of
procedure similar to that
SPAMI and its inclusion in the list shall be observed.

PART III

PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF SPECIES

Article 11

National measures for the protection and conservation
of species

1.
The Parties shall manage species of flora and fauna with
the aim of maintaining them in a favourable state of
conservation.

The Parties shall endeavour, directly or

through the
7.
Centre,
to consult with States that are not Parties to this
Protocol, with a view to coordinating their efforts to manage
and protect endangered or threatened species.

8.
The Parties shall make provision, where possible, for the
return of protected species exported or held illegally. Efforts
should be made by Parties to reintroduce such specimens to
their natural habitat.

Article 12

Cooperative measures for the protection and conservation
of species

1.
The Parties shall adopt cooperative measures to ensure
the protection and conservation of the flora and fauna listed in
the annexes to this Protocol relating to the list of endangered
or threatened species and the list of species whose exploitation
is regulated.

jurisdiction,

threatened species of

identify and compile lists of

The Parties shall, in the zones subject to their sovereignty
2.
the
or national
endangered or
flora and fauna and
accord protected status to such species. The Parties shall
regulate and, where appropriate, prohibit activities having
adverse effects on such species or their habitats, and carry out
management, planning and other measures
to ensure a
favorable state of conservation of such species.

3. With respect to protected species of fauna, the Parties
shall control and, where appropriate, prohibit:

(a)

the taking, possession or killing (including, to the extent
possible, the incidental taking, possession or killing), the
commercial
the transport and the exhibition for
commercial purposes of these species, their eggs, parts or
products;

trade,

(b) to the extent possible,

the disturbance of wild fauna,
particularly during the period of breeding,
incubation,
hibernation or migration, as well as other periods of
biological stress.

4.
In addition to the measures specified in the previous
paragraph, the Parties shall coordinate their efforts, through
bilateral
if necessary,
action,
the protection and recovery of migratory
agreements
species whose range extends into the area to which this
Protocol applies.

or multilateral

including

for

5. With respect to protected species of flora and their parts
and products, the Parties shall regulate, and where appropriate,
prohibit all forms of destruction and disturbance, including the
picking,
of,
possession
commercial
and exhibition for
commercial purposes of such species.

collecting,
trade

uprooting,

transport

cutting,

in, or

The

shall

Parties

2.
the maximum possible
ensure
protection and recovery of the species of fauna and flora listed
in the Annex relating to the list of endangered or threatened
species by adopting at the national level the measures provided
for in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Article 11 of this Protocol.

The Parties shall prohibit the destruction of and damage
3.
to the habitat of species listed in the Annex relating to the list
of endangered or threatened species and shall formulate and
implement action plans for their conservation or recovery.
They shall continue to cooperate in implementing the relevant
action plans already adopted.

4.
The Parties, in cooperation with competent international
organisations, shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the
conservation of the species listed in the Annex relating to the
list of species whose exploitation is regulated while at the same
time authorising and regulating the exploitation of
these
species, so as to ensure and maintain their favourable state of
conservation.

5. When the range area of a threatened or endangered
species extends to both sides of a national frontier or of the
limit that separates the territories or the areas subject to the
sovereignty or the national jurisdiction of two Parties to this
Protocol, these Parties shall cooperate with a view to ensuring
the protection and conservation and, if necessary, the recovery
of such species.

6.
Provided that no other satisfactory solutions are available
and that the exemption does not harm the survival of the
population or of any other species,
the Parties may grant
exemptions to the prohibitions prescribed for the protection of

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the species listed in the annexes to this Protocol for scientific,
educational or management purposes necessary to ensure the
survival of the species or to prevent significant damage. Such
exemptions shall be notified to the Contracting Parties.

Article 16

Guidelines and common criteria

Article 13

The Parties shall adopt:

Introduction of non-indigenous or genetically modified
species

(a) common criteria for the choice of protected marine and
coastal areas that could be included in the SPAMI
list
which shall be annexed to the Protocol;

1.
The Parties shall take all appropriate measures to regulate
the intentional or accidental introduction of non-indigenous or
genetically modified species to the wild and prohibit those that
may have harmful
impacts on the ecosystems, habitats or
species in the area to which this Protocol applies.

to eradicate

The Parties shall endeavour to implement all possible
2.
already been
measures
that have
introduced when, after scientific assessment,
it appears that
such species cause or are likely to cause damage to ecosystems,
habitats or species in the area to which this Protocol applies.

species

PART IV

PROVISIONS COMMON TO PROTECTED AREAS AND SPECIES

Article 14

Amendments to annexes

The procedures for amendments to the annexes to this
the

forth in Article 17 of

shall be those set

1.
Protocol
Convention.

All proposed amendments submitted to the meeting of
shall have been the subject of prior

2.
Contracting Parties
evaluation by the meeting of National Focal Points.

Article 15

Inventories

Each Party shall compile comprehensive inventories of:

(a) areas over which they exercise sovereignty or jurisdiction
that contain rare or fragile ecosystems, that are reservoirs
of biological diversity, that are important for threatened or
endangered species;

(b) species of fauna or flora that are endangered or threatened.

(b) common criteria for the inclusion of additional species in

the annexes;

(c) guidelines

for
specially protected areas.

the establishment and management of

The criteria and guidelines referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c)
may be amended by the meeting of the Parties on the basis of
a proposal made by one or more Parties.

Article 17

Environmental impact assessment

In the planning process leading to decisions on industrial and
other projects and activities that could significantly affect
protected areas and species and their habitats, the Parties shall
evaluate and take into consideration the possible direct or
long-term,
indirect,
including the
cumulative
and activities being
the projects
contemplated.

immediate or
impact of

impact,

Article 18

Integration of traditional activities

In formulating protective measures, the Parties shall take
1.
into account the traditional subsistence and cultural activities
of
their local populations. They shall grant exemptions, as
necessary, to meet such needs. No exemption which is allowed
for this reason shall:

(a) endanger either the maintenance of ecosystems protected
under this Protocol or the biological processes contributing
to the maintenance of those ecosystems;

(b) cause either the extinction of, or a substantial reduction in,
the number of individuals making up the populations or
flora and fauna in particular endangered,
species of
threatened, migratory or endemic species.

Parties which grant exemptions

2.
measures shall inform the Contracting Parties accordingly.

from the protection

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Article 19

Publicity, information, public awareness and education

The Parties

shall give appropriate publicity to the
1.
establishment of specially protected areas,
their boundaries,
applicable regulations, and to the designation of protected
species, their habitats and applicable regulations.

2.
The Parties shall endeavour to inform the public of the
interest and value of specially protected areas and species, and
of the scientific knowledge which may be gained from the
point of view of nature conservation and other points of view.
Such information should have
in
education programmes. The Parties shall also endeavour to
promote
their
conservation organisations in measures that are necessary for
including
the protection of the areas and species concerned,
environmental impact assessments.

an appropriate place

participation

public

their

and

the

of

Article 20

Scientific, technical and management research

1.
The Parties shall encourage and develop scientific and
technical research relating to the aims of this Protocol. They
shall also encourage and develop research into the sustainable
use of
specially protected areas and the management of
protected species.

shall

The Parties

consult, when necessary,

among
2.
themselves and with competent
international organisations
with a view to identifying, planning and undertaking scientific
and technical research and monitoring programmes necessary
for the identification and monitoring of protected areas and
species and assessing the effectiveness of measures taken to
implement management and recovery plans.

The Parties

shall exchange, directly or

3.
through the
Centre, scientific and technical information concerning current
and planned research and monitoring programmes and the
results
to the fullest extent possible,
coordinate their research and monitoring programmes, and
endeavour jointly to define or standardise their procedures.

thereof. They shall,

4.
In technical and scientific research, the Parties shall give
priority to SPAMIs and species appearing in the annexes to
this Protocol.

Article 21

Mutual cooperation

conservation, planning and management of specially protected
areas, as well as the selection, management and conservation
of protected species. There shall be regular exchanges of
information concerning the characteristics of protected areas
and species,
experience acquired and the problems
encountered.

the

Parties
any

shall,
at
situation

opportunity,
2.
The
communicate
the
ecosystems of specially protected areas or the survival of
protected species of flora and fauna to the other Parties, to the
states that might be affected and to the Centre.

that might

endanger

earliest

the

Article 22

Mutual assistance

1.
The Parties shall cooperate, directly or with the assistance
of the Centre or the international organisations concerned, in
formulating,
financing and implementing programmes of
mutual assistance and assistance to developing countries that
express a need for it with a view to implementing this
Protocol.

These programmes shall

2.
include public environmental
education, the training of scientific, technical and management
personnel, scientific research, the acquisition, utilisation, design
and development of appropriate equipment, and transfer of
technology on advantageous terms to be agreed among the
Parties concerned.

The Parties shall,

3.
in matters of mutual assistance, give
priority to the SPAMIs and species appearing in the Annexes
to this Protocol.

Article 23

Reports of the Parties

The Parties shall submit to ordinary meetings of the Parties a
report on the implementation of this Protocol, in particular on:

(a)

the status and the state of the areas included in the SPAMI
list;

(b) any changes in the delimitation or legal status of

the

SPAMIs and protected species;

1.
Centre or
cooperation programmes

The Parties shall, directly or with the assistance of the
international organisations concerned, establish
to coordinate the establishment,

(c) possible exemptions allowed pursuant to Articles 12 and

18 of this Protocol.

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PART V

(f) elaborating and implementing the training programmes

mentioned in Article 22(2);

INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 24

National Focal Points

(g) cooperating with regional and international governmental
and non-governmental organisations concerned with the
the
protection of
specificity of each organisation and the need to avoid the
duplication of activities are respected;

and species, provided that

areas

Each Party shall designate a National Focal Point to serve as
liaison with the Centre on the technical and scientific aspects
of the implementation of this Protocol. The National Focal
Points
the functions
deriving from this Protocol.

shall meet periodically to carry out

(h) carrying out the functions assigned to it in the action plans

adopted in the framework of this Protocol;

(i) carrying out any other function assigned to it by the

Parties.

Article 25

Coordination

Article 26

Meetings of the Parties

1.
The Organisation shall be responsible for coordinating
the implementation of this Protocol. For this purpose, it shall
receive the support of the Centre to which it may entrust the
following functions:

The ordinary meetings of the Parties to this Protocol shall
1.
be held in conjunction with the ordinary meetings of
the
Contracting Parties to the Convention held pursuant to Article
14 of the Convention. The Parties may also hold extraordinary
meetings in conformity with that Article.

(a) assisting the Parties,

in cooperation with the competent
and non-governmental

intergovernmental

international,
organisations, in:

(cid:151) establishing and managing specially protected areas in

the area to which this Protocol applies,

(cid:151) conducting programmes of

technical and scientific

research as provided for in Article 20 of this Protocol,

(cid:151) conducting the exchange of scientific and technical
information among the Parties as provided for
in
Article 20 of this Protocol,

(cid:151) preparing management plans for specially protected

areas and species,

(cid:151) developing

cooperative programmes pursuant

to

Article 21 of this Protocol,

The meetings of

2.
particularly aimed at:

the Parties

to this Protocol

are

(a) keeping under review the implementation of this Protocol;

(b) overseeing the work of the Organisation and of the Centre
this Protocol and

relating to the implementation of
providing policy guidance for their activities;

(c) considering the efficacy of the measures adopted for the
management and protection of areas and species, and
examining the need for other measures, in particular in the
form of Annexes and amendments to this Protocol or to
its Annexes;

(d) adopting the guidelines and common criteria provided for

in Article 16 of this Protocol;

(cid:151) preparing educational materials designed for various

groups;

(e) considering reports transmitted by the Parties under Article
23 of
this Protocol, as well as any other pertinent
information which the Parties transmit through the Centre;

(b) convening and organising the meetings of the National
Focal Points and providing them with secretariat services;

(f) making recommendations to the Parties on the measures
to be adopted for the implementation of this Protocol;

(c)

formulating recommendations on guidelines and common
criteria pursuant to Article 16 of this Protocol;

(g) examining the recommendations of the meetings of the
this

to Article 24 of

National Focal Points pursuant
Protocol;

(d) creating and updating databases of

specially protected
areas, protected species and other matters relevant to this
Protocol;

(h) deciding on the inclusion of an area in the SPAMI list in

conformity with Article 9(4) of this Protocol;

(e) preparing reports and technical

studies

that may be

(i) examining any other matter relevant to this Protocol, as

required for the implementation of this Protocol;

appropriate;

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(j) discussing and evaluating the exemptions allowed by the
this
Parties in conformity with Articles 12 and 18 of
Protocol.

Article 30

Ratification, acceptance or approval

PART VI

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 27

This Protocol shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or
approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval
shall be deposited with the Government of Spain, which will
assume the functions of Depositary.

Effect of the Protocol on domestic legislation

The provisions of this Protocol shall not affect the right of
Parties to adopt relevant stricter domestic measures for the
implementation of this Protocol.

Article 31

Accession

Article 28

Relationship with third parties

As from 10 June 1996,
this Protocol shall be open for
accession by any state and regional economic grouping which
is Party to the Convention.

1.
The Parties shall invite states that are not parties to the
Protocol and international organisations to cooperate in the
implementation of this Protocol.

The Parties undertake to adopt appropriate measures,
2.
consistent with international
to ensure that no one
law,
engages in any activity contrary to the principles or purposes
of this Protocol.

Article 29

Signature

Article 32

Entry into force

This Protocol shall enter into force on the 30th day
1.
following the deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification,
acceptance or approval of, or accession to, the Protocol.

This Protocol shall be open for signature in Barcelona on
10 June 1995 and in Madrid from 11 June 1995 to 10 June
1996 by any Contracting Party to the Convention.

From the date of its entry into force, this Protocol shall
2.
replace
concerning Mediterranean specially
protected areas of 1982, in the relationship among the Parties
to both instruments.

the Protocol

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised, have signed this Protocol.

Done at Barcelona, on 10 June 1995, in a single copy in the Arabic, English, French and
Spanish languages, the four texts being equally authoritative, for signature by any Party to
the Convention.

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COMMON CRITERIA FOR THE CHOICE OF PROTECTED MARINE AND COASTAL AREAS THAT COULD
BE INCLUDED IN THE SPAMI LIST

ANNEX I

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

The Contracting Parties agree that the following general principles will guide their work in establishing the SPAMI
list.

(a) The conservation of the natural heritage is the basic aim that must characterise a SPAMI. The pursuit of other
aims such as the conservation of the cultural heritage, and the promotion of scientific research, education,
participation, collaboration, is highly desirable in SPAMIs and constitutes a factor in favour of a site being
included on the list, to the extent in which it remains compatible with the aims of conservation.

(b) No limit is imposed on the total number of areas included in the list or on the number of areas any individual
Party can propose for inscription. Nevertheless, the Parties agree that sites will be selected on a scientific basis
and included in the list according to their qualities; they will have therefore to fulfil the requirements set out
by the Protocol and the present criteria.

(c) The listed SPAMIs and their geographical distribution will have to be representative of the Mediterranean
region and its biodiversity. To this end the list will have to represent the highest number possible of types of
habitats and ecosystems.

(d) The SPAMIs will have to constitute the core of a network aiming at the effective conservation of the
Mediterranean heritage. To attain this objective, the Parties will develop their cooperation on bilateral and
multilateral bases in the field of conservation and management of natural sites and notably through the
establishment of transboundary SPAMIs.

(e) The sites included in the SPAMI list are intended to have a value of example and model for the protection of
the natural heritage of the region. To this end, the Parties ensure that sites included in the list are provided
with adequate legal status, protection measures and management methods and means.

B. GENERAL FEATURES OF THE AREAS THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SPAMI LIST

1. To be eligible for inclusion in the SPAMI list, an area must fulfil at least one of the general criteria set in
Article 8(2) of the Protocol. Several of these general criteria can in certain cases be fulfilled by the same area,
and such a circumstance cannot but strengthen the case for the inclusion of the area in the list.

2. The regional value is a basic requirement of an area for being included in the SPAMI list. The following criteria

should be used in evaluating the Mediterranean interest of an area.

(a) Uniqueness

The area contains unique or rare ecosystems, or rare or endemic species.

(b) Natural representativeness

The area has highly representative ecological processes, or community or habitat types or other natural
characteristics. Representativeness is the degree to which an area represents a habitat type, ecological
process, biological community, physiographic feature or other natural characteristic.

(c) Diversity

The area has a high diversity of species, communities, habitats or ecosystems.

(d) Naturalness

The area has a high degree of naturalness as a result of
disturbance and degradation.

the lack or low level of human-induced

(e) Presence of habitats that are critical to endangered, threatened or endemic species.

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(f) Cultural representativeness

The area has a high representative value with respect to the cultural heritage, due to the existence of
environmentally sound traditional activities integrated with nature which support the well-being of local
populations.

3. To be included in the SPAMI list, an area having scientific, educational or aesthetic interest must, respectively,
present a particular value for research in the field of natural sciences or for activities of environmental
education or awareness or contain outstanding natural features, landscapes or seascapes.

4. Besides the fundamental criteria specified in Article 8(2) of

the Protocol, a certain number of other
characteristics and factors should be considered as favourable for the inclusion of the site in the list. These
include:

(a)

the existence of threats likely to impair the ecological, biological, aesthetic or cultural value of the area;

(b)

(c)

the involvement and active participation of the public in general, and particularly of local communities, in
the process of planning and management of the area;

the existence of a body representing the public, professional, non-governmental sectors and the scientific
community involved in the area;

(d)

the existence in the area of opportunities for sustainable development;

(e)

the existence of an integrated coastal management plan within the meaning of Article 4(3)(e) of the
Convention.

C. LEGAL STATUS

1. All areas eligible for inclusion in the SPAMI list must be awarded a legal status guaranteeing their effective

long-term protection.

2. To be included in the SPAMI list, an area situated in a zone already delimited over which a Party exercises

sovereignty or jurisdiction must have a protected status recognised by the Party concerned.

3.

In the case of areas situated, partly or wholly, on the high sea or in a zone where the limits of national
sovereignty or jurisdiction have not yet been defined, the legal status, the management plan, the applicable
measures and the other elements provided for in Article 9(3) of the Protocol will be provided by the
neighbouring Parties concerned in the proposal for inclusion in the SPAMI list.

D. PROTECTION, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES

1. Conservation and management objectives must be clearly defined in the texts relating to each site, and will
constitute the basis for assessment of the adequacy of the adopted measures and the effectiveness of their
implementation at the revisions of the SPAMI list.

2.

3.

Protection, planning and management measures applicable to each area must be adequate for the achievement
of the conservation and management objectives set for the site in the short and long-term and take in
particular into account the threats on it.

Protection, planning and management measures must be based on an adequate knowledge of the elements of
the natural environment and of socioeconomic and cultural factors that characterise each area. In case of
shortcomings in basic knowledge, an area proposed for inclusion in the SPAMI list must have a programme
for the collection of the unavailable data and information.

4. The competence and responsibility with regard to administration and implementation of conservation
measures for areas proposed for inclusion in the SPAMI list must be clearly defined in the texts governing each
area.

5.

In the respect of the specificity characterising each protected site, the protection measures for a SPAMI must
take account of the following basic aspects:

(a)

the strengthening of the regulation of the release or dumping of wastes and other substances likely directly
or indirectly to impair the integrity of the area;

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(b)

the strengthening of the regulation of the introduction or reintroduction of any species into the area;

(c)

the regulation of any activity or act likely to harm or disturb the species, or that might endanger the
conservation status of
impair the natural, cultural or aesthetic
characteristics of the area;

the ecosystems or species or might

(d)

the regulation applicable to the zones surrounding the area in question.

6. To be included in the SPAMI list, a protected area must have a management body, endowed with sufficient
powers as well as means and human resources to prevent and/or control activities likely to be contrary to the
aims of the protected area.

7. To be included in the SPAMI list an area will have to be endowed with a management plan. The main rules of
this management plan are to be laid down as from the time of inclusion and implemented immediately. A
detailed management plan must be presented within three years of the time of inclusion. Failure to respect this
obligation entails the removal of the site from the list.

8. To be included in the SPAMI list, an area will have to be endowed with a monitoring programme. This
programme should include the identification and monitoring of a certain number of significant parameters for
the area in question, in order to allow the assessment of the state and evolution of the area, as well as the
effectiveness of protection and management measures implemented, so that they may be adapted if need be.
To this end further necessary studies are to be commissioned.

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ANNEX II

LIST OF ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES

Magnoliophyta
Posidonia oceanica
Zostera marina
Zostera noltii

Chlorophyta
Caulerpa ollivieri

stricta et var.

Phaeophyta
Cystoseira amentacea (including var.
spicata)
Cystoseira mediterranea
Cystoseira sedoides
Cystoseira spinosa (including C. adriatica)
Cystoseira zosteroides
Laminaria rodriguezii

Rhodophyta
Goniolithon byssoides
Lithophyllum lichenoides
Ptilophora mediterranea
Schimmelmannia shousboei

Porifera
Asbestopluma hypogea
Aplysina sp. plur.
Axinella cannabina
Axinella polypoides
Geodia cydonium
Ircinia foetida
Ircinia pipetta
Petrobiona massiliana
Tethya sp. plur.

Cnidaria
Astroides calycularis
Errina aspera
Gerardia savaglia

Echinodermata
Asterina pancerii
Centrostephanus longispinus
Ophidiaster ophidianus

Bryozoa
Hornera lichenoides

Mollusca
Ranella olearia
(= Argobuccinum olearium = A. giganteum)
Charonia lampas (= Ch. rubicunda = Ch. nodifera)
Charonia tritonis (= Ch. seguenziae)
Dendropoma petraeum
Erosaria spurca
Gibbula nivosa
Lithophaga lithopaga
Luria lurida (= Cypraea lurida)

Mitra zonata
Patella ferruginea
Patella nigra
Pholas dactylus
Pinna nobilis
Pinna rudis (= P. pernula)
Schilderia achatidea
Tonna galea
Zonaria pyrum

Crustacea
Ocypode cursor
Pachylasma giganteum

Pisces
Acipenser naccarii
Acipenser sturio
Aphanius fasciatus
Aphanius iberus
Cetorhinus maximus
Carcharodon carcharias
Hippocampus ramulosus
Hippocampus hippocampus
Huso huso
Lethenteron zanandreai
Mobula mobular
Pomatoschistus canestrinii
Pomatoschistus tortonesei
Valencia hispanica
Valencia letourneuxi

Reptiles
Caretta caretta
Chelonia mydas
Dermochelys coriacea
Eretmochelys imbricata
Lepidochelys kempii
Trionyx triunguis

Aves
Pandion haliaetus
Calonectris diomedea
Falco eleonorae
Hydrobates pelagicus
Larus audouinii
Numenius tenuirostris
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus
Pelacanus onocrotalus
Pelecanus crispus
Phoenicopterus ruber
Puffinus yelkouan
Sterna albifrons
Sterna bengalensis
Sterna sandvicensis

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Mammalia
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Balaenoptera borealis
Balaenoptera physalus
Delphinus delphis
Eubalaena glacialis
Globicephala melas
Grampus griseus
Kogia simus
Megaptera novaeangliae

Mesoplodon densirostris
Monachus monachus
Orcinus orca
Phocoena phocoena
Physeter macrocephalus
Pseudorca crassidens
Stenella coeruleoalba
Steno bredanensis
Tursiops truncatus
Ziphius cavirostris

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ANNEX III

LIST OF SPECIES WHOSE EXPLOITATION IS REGULATED

Porifera
Hippospongia communis
Spongia agaricina
Spongia officinalis
Spongia zimocca

Cnidaria
Antipathes sp. plur.
Corallium rubrum

Echinodermata
Paracentrotus lividus

Crustacea
Homarus gammarus
Maja squinado
Palinurus elephas
Scyllarides latus
Scyllarus pigmaeus
Scyllarus arctus

Pisces
Alosa alosa
Alosa fallax
Anguilla anguilla
Epinephelus marginatus
Isurus oxyrinchus
Lamna nasus
Lampetra fluviatilis
Petromyzon marinus
Prionace glauca
Raja alba
Sciaena umbra
Squatina squatina
Thunnus thynnus
Umbrina cirrosa
Xiphias gladius