The First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas

Apex species critical habitat approach in the Mediterranean: strengthening cetacean MPA proposals
Erich Hoyt (presenting work by Erich Hoyt and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara)
• Experts on various apex species groups (seabirds, turtles, monk seals, sharks,
tuna) prepared distribution maps, which were then overlain to show the
substantial overlap with cetacean distribution (particularly with seabirds). <strong>The</strong>
overlapping areas coincide with known nutrient-rich feeding areas.
• This approach demonstrates that whales and dolphins can function as good
umbrella species, and that there is potential for significant engagement with
NGOs, advocacy groups, and stakeholders who have priorities other than, or in
addition to, cetaceans. MPAs intended for multispecies protection might be
easier to achieve than MPAs that focus only on marine mammals. This work also
has clear implications for networking MPAs.
• It was recommended that this approach be repeated in a more detailed way
covering at least four separate areas of the Mediterranean, and that it should be a
priority to fill information gaps in the eastern and southern Mediterranean Sea
where less cetacean work has been carried out.
Further steps toward building a network of MPAs in the Mediterranean: a route for establishing
effective MPA proposals.
Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
• National MPAs in the Mediterranean region have been progressed by national
governments to protect particular parts of their territorial waters. Also, a number
of Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs ) have been
designated to protect waters on the high seas. To date, the SPAMIs, with the
exception of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, are
small and confined to the western Mediterranean basin.
• Differential effort and support across the region have made establishing highseas
MPAs difficult.
• <strong>The</strong> ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee can highlight and propose areas of
known significance for cetacean protection, but the Regional Activity Centre for
Specially Protected Areas (RAC SPA), part of UNEP’s Mediterranean Action
Plan, has the authority to designate these areas on the high seas. It is currently a
high priority to develop ways of identifying the most important locations for
MMPAs on the high seas.
Mapping MMPAs, managing data, and building knowledge for decision.
Colleen Corrigan
• <strong>The</strong> accessible UNEP-WCMC world database of protected areas is a valuable
source of information on MPAs and could also serve as an excellent model for
the development and monitoring of global MMPAs. In addition, the WCMC has
data sets with biogeographic information such as locations of sea grasses, coral
reefs, and mangroves.
ICMMPA <strong>Conference</strong> Proceedings
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