Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance
Encyclopedia
Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) are sites "of importance for conserving the components of biological diversity in the Mediterranean; contain ecosystems specific to the Mediterranean area or the habitats of endangered species; are of special interest at the scientific, aesthetic, cultural or educational levels". This definition is contained in Article 8(2) of the 1995 Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (which replaced the 1982 Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas).
, i.e. the MAP, a programme co-ordinated by UNEP the origins of which go back to the Barcelona Convention
of 1976 for Protection against Pollution in the Mediterranean. Similar plans exist for other regional seas around the world. Treaties and protocols providing for the specific protection of certain sites in these regions have also been adopted.
is the largest of the SPAMI sites.
, as part of a host agreement signed in 1991 between Tunisia
and UNEP.
Context
The Protocols are part of a wider international effort aimed at protecting the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
, i.e. the MAP, a programme co-ordinated by UNEP the origins of which go back to the Barcelona Convention
Barcelona Convention
The 1976 Barcelona Convention for Protection against Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea is a regional convention to prevent and abate pollution from ships, aircraft and land based sources in the Mediterranean Sea. This includes, but is not limited to, dumping, run-off and discharges...
of 1976 for Protection against Pollution in the Mediterranean. Similar plans exist for other regional seas around the world. Treaties and protocols providing for the specific protection of certain sites in these regions have also been adopted.
The SPAMI List
The 1995 Protocol provides for the establishment of a List of SPAMI. SPAMI may be created both within areas of national jurisdiction and on the high seas. The decision to include an area in the SPAMI List is taken by consensus by the contracting parties during their periodic meetings. The protection and management measures applying in the SPAMI are those prescribed by the States proposing them but all parties are to comply with such measures. The Ligurian Sea Cetacean SanctuaryLigurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary
Originally called the International Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary , what is now known as the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals is a Marine Protected Area aimed at the protection of marine mammals...
is the largest of the SPAMI sites.
The RAC-SPA
The Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) was established by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in order to help the Mediterranean countries implement the 1995 Protocol. It is based in TunisTunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, as part of a host agreement signed in 1991 between Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and UNEP.
Further reading
- Fabio Spadi (1997), "Il Protocollo relativo alle aree specialmente protette e alla diversità biologica nel Mediterraneo (Barcellona, 10 giugno 1995) - Analisi e confronto con il Protocollo relativo alle aree del Mediterraneo particolarmente protette (Ginevra, 3 aprile 1982)", Il Diritto Marittimo, pp. 1196 ff. (in Italian)