Mapping Marine Key Habitats: 2 Case Studies in Southern and Northern Mediterranean P

NewSletteR of SPA/RAC feb. 2017

› Edito p. 2 › Forum 2016 of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean p. 3 › Te MAVA Foundation, a key partner for the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea p. 5 › Te Rachgoun island, the Mediterranean of 2000 years ago ! p. 6 › Jbel Moussa, the last refuge of the common sea grass in the Moroccan Mediterranean p. 9 › Mapping marine key habitats: 2 case studies in southern and northern Mediterranean p. 10 › Young researchers, we believe in you ! p. 14 › New publications p. 16 CoNteNtS © SPA/RAC, University of Seville of University SPA/RAC, © Newsletter of SPA/RAC - February 2017

In recent months there have been several complished within the framework of this important events for SPA/RAC. project, we propose to discover some of eDIto them in this issue of the newsletter. In late November, the 2016 Forum of Ma- rine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean 2016 was also marked by the launching was held in Tangier, a unique process in of MedMPAnet II, the EcAp-Med II and the region to improve the conservation of Deep-Sea Lebanon projects, we will be the Mediterranean Sea and its biodiversity pleased to provide you news in future issues. through an efective MPA network. Khalil Attia, Te centre also closed the MedKeyHabitats SPA/RAC Director project. Several achievements have been ac-

AboUt the MeDKeyhAbItAtS project

“Mapping of key marine habitats in the Me- Tunisia to have maps of marine habitats’ diterranean and promoting their conserva- distribution in fve pilot sites, respectively in tion through the establishment of Specially Rachgoun Island, Jbel Moussa, Platamuni & Protected Areas of Mediterranean Impor- Ratac and Cap Serrat - Sidi Mechreg. tance (SPAMI)” Tis project was set up by SPA/RAC as Te MedKeyHabitats project of SPA/RAC part of its assistance to the Mediterranean aims at establishing cartographic inventory countries to implement actions that are of marine habitats of conservation interest necessary for the priorities of the SAPBIO to extend the Specially Protected Areas of and the recommendations of the Action Mediterranean Importance network (SPA- Plans for the conservation of marine vege- MI), as required by Barcelona Convention's tation, coralligenous and other calcareous Protocol concerning Specially Protected bio-concretions in the Mediterranean and Areas and Biological Diversity in the Medi- dark assemblages. terranean (SPA/BD Protocol). Te MedKeyHabitats Project was funded by It has enabled the relevant national autho- the MAVA Foundation for Nature and SPA/ rities in Algeria, Morocco, Montenegro and RAC.

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the 2016 FoRUM of Marine Protected areas in the MeDIteRRANeAN

300 key actors involved in the marine environment and the Marine Protected Areas have participated in the 2nd edition of the forum of the Mediterranean MPAs and published the Tangier Declaration

MedPAN, SPA/RAC, the Moroccan Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertifcation (HCEFLCD) and numerous other partners organized the 2nd forum of Marine Protected Areas in the Me- diterranean in Tangier (Morocco) from the 28th November to the 1st December 2016.

300 key actors involved in the marine environment and the marine protected areas participated in the event so as to share their experience and discuss solutions in order to SPA/RACsessions ecosystems. Te event was an oppor- improve the conservation of the Mediter- tunity to discuss the existing scientifc ranean Sea by 2020 while supporting local • Towards a coherent MPA network: tools in order to promote the connecti- economies. protect the sea, connect the areas ! vity of the MPAs in the Mediterranean. Tis workshop was an opportunity to Tey published the Tangiers Declaration Marine key habitat mapping and discuss the progress made since 2012 • which is to update the 2020 MPA Roadmap so as to create a representative and MPAs planning and management: elaborated at the 2012 Forum of the Me- connected ecological MPA network in MedKeyHabitats Project diterranean MPAs in Antalya. Tis Road- the Mediterranean and to present those Tis special session was dedicated to map aims to support the implementation projects which have contributed towar- the presentation of the results of the of the international objective as fxed by the ds the achievement of this objective. MedKeyHabitats project implemented Convention on Biological Diversity which is by SPA/RAC and the testimonies of to protect 10 % of the Mediterranean Sea • Open seas: out of sight, always in mind ! the countries involved in the project. through an efective MPA network by 2020. Tis workshop’s topic was the conservation and the management of marine • SPA/RAC and ACCOBAMS: 20 years of collaboration.. For further details on all the sessions and to biodiversity in the areas located beyond download the PowerPoint presentations, national jurisdictions. Both legal and Tis side-event was organized by consult the web pages of each session on scientifc aspects were discussed, namely SPA/RAC and ACCOBAMS and was www.medmpaforum.org. through the presentation of the new an opportunity to present an efective Oceana project, the "Deep-Sea Leba- collaboration model between two re- non project", undertaken in collabora- gional Mediterranean organisations for tion with SPA/RAC and other partners. the conservation of cetaceans. • From individual MPAs to coherent SPA/RAC was particularly involved in other networks: let’s move on ! workshops, such as the one on the "Inter- Go FURtheR Te session’s main objective was to face between science and policies in the • Te 2016 status of Marine Protected stress and to highlight the importance framework of marine biodiversity in the Me- Areas in the Mediterranean - Main of setting up a coherent MPA network diterranean" organized by Plan Bleu in col- fndings. in the Mediterranean which could be laboration with SPA/RAC, and the special • Tangier Declaration (available in English, used as a tool for the protection of the session on the MPAs of Morocco, organized French and Arabic). biodiversity and the functions of the by the HCEFLCD.

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At the 2016 Forum of the Marine Protected A total of 61 school children were able to Raising awareness on Areas in the Mediterranean, SPA/RAC orga- participate in the event thanks to the colla- nised on Wednesday 30 December the pro- boration of the team of the Cinémathèque environmental issues jection of the documentary flm "Océans" at de Tanger and the personnel of the Assa- for youth in tangier the Rif Cinema for the Tangier children aged daka social complex who accompanied the from 9 to 11 years. children the whole afternoon at the cinema.

After the flm was screened, Atef Limam, in charge of the MedMPAnet II project at SPA/ RAC, and Hocein Bazairi, teacher-researcher at the Mohammed V University of Rabat, animated the debate with the children and responded to numerous questions on marine biodiversity, over-exploitation of resources, pollution and the protection of the oceans.

Finally the children were able to discover on the Cinema’s premises the temporary ex- hibition on the seabeds at Jbel Moussa and at the Cap des Trois Fourches, which was set up by SPA/RAC.

the tangier Cinema library - Create a collection of documentary flms. Films and videos from artists and Te Cinémathèque de Tanger (CDT) aims experimental cinema; to develop the flm culture in Morocco. Tis - Propose pedagogical actions and anima- association is located in the premises of the tions; Rif Cinema which was built in the 1930s - Create a platform for dialogue and mee- close to the old town. tings for cinema professionals. Te Cinémathèque de Tanger aims to: For further information visit the association’s - Promote the world cinema in Morocco website w.cinemathequedetanger.com or and the Moroccan cinema in the world ; consult its Facebook page.

PoRtRAIt enabled them to hang on to their studies protected areas, they visited with us the so that, later on, the audiovisual arts could future marine protected area of Jbel Moussa Yazid Sakhire and Wadie Jaouahiri are two become their profession. Today, aged 19 and and attended some of the sessions to take young enthousiasts for photos and videos. 20, they continue to frequent the centre in photos and share with their friends their Tey learned a lot of things at the Assadaka order to transmit their knowledge to their impressions of the forum. On this link you Social Complex in Tangier. Teir passion young comrades. At the forum of the marine will fnd some of their photos. o M FoRSAty ASSADAKA Z oon the project Te Assadaka Social Complex is a socio- implemented for the beneft of children and training courses and where they are educational establishment in Tangier with youth who frequent the establishment. It is prepared for job interviews ; and the objective of improving the quality of based on three main axes : - Community dynamics where activities life of the children, youngsters and families - On cultural and sports activities, are organized with the local associations in the region who fnd themselves in a through the organisation of audio- (there are 7 of them) in order to impart situation of social risk. It is co-managed by visual workshops and theatre, and the “positive” dynamics in a collaborative the “Entraide Nationale” (National Mutual setting up of an “educational” football spirit within the town quarters. Aid), the “Association Raouabit Assadaka” school in partnership with Real Madrid; and the Spanish Paideia Association. For further information, contact Brahim Jerdouj, - Professional insertion, where youth head of the Forsaty Assadaka project at the following address: [email protected] or At present, the “Forsaty Assadaka” project are trained and initiated into the work consult the Facebook page of the project (literally: My chance, and friendship) is being environment through professional (@forsatyassadaka)

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the MaVa foundation, a Key Partner for the CoNSeRvAtIoN of the MeDIteRRANeAN sea

Te MAVA Foundation has fnanced the MedKeyHabitats project up to 75%. 3 questions for Paule Gros, to present the foundation and its future priorities for the Mediterranean region

• Can you present the MAVA foundation ? Te MAVA Foundation is a private foundation founded in 1994 by Dr Luc Hof- fmann in order to support the conservation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean, along the coast of West Africa and in the Alpine Arc. More recently the foundation has added other interests, namely the conservation of natural resources and sustainable economy. In the Mediterranean the foundation basically supports civil so- ciety organisations, but also collaborates with institutional partners to support the implementation of international conventions. • How is the MedKeyHabitats project in line with the priorities and programmes of the MAVA Foundation ?

One of the foundation’s principles is © SPA/RAC, University of Seville to ensure that the conservation actions which it supports are based on solid tion of development impacts in some Coralligenous biocenosis at Jbel Moussa, Morocco scientifc knowledge. Te mapping and of the watersheds and coastal marshes; characterisation of Posidonia meadows on maintaing cultural landscapes; and and coralligenous beds is an indispen- fnally on the reduction of some speci- Paule GROS obtained her doctorate sible prerequisite for the protection fc threats to migratory birds, vultures in Ecology at the University of Cali- and management of its habitats. It is and marine turtles. Tis is to be done fornia (Davis) by studying the status of also a reference for the implementation by focusing on a small number of de- cheetahs in East Africa, then continued of the commitments of the Mediter- monstration sites and by addressing, with her research work on mammals ranean countries within the framework on the Mediterranean basin scale, more and birds of the tropical forests of Ni- of conventions which they signed such cross-cutting themes such as capacity caragua, before focusing on the ancestral as the Barcelona Convention and the building or infuencing the policies. knowledge of the Mayangna Indians on Convention on Biological Diversity. the environments and aquatic species of these same forests. She is in charge of • What are the foundation’s future priori- the Mediterranean programme of the ties for the Mediterranean region ? MAVA Foundation since 2009. In the next six years the foundation will concentrate on the reduction of fshing impacts on the prioritary marine species and habitats as well as the high trophic • Information brochure & short video on level fsh stocks; on the more rational Go FURtheR the MedKeyHabitats project utilisation of water and the mitiga- • Website of the MAVA Foundation.

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the RAChGoUN island, the MeDIteRRANeAN of 2000 years ago ! Te abundance of some rare species in the Mediterranean and the generally good ecological state of the marine environment mean that the Rachgoun island is a witness to the past, or an overview of “the Mediterranean of 2000 years ago !” as Pr Alfonso Ramos Espla, from the University of Alicante, would say. Images of a visit of the island.

Contributors: Mouloud Benabdi (Abyss), Yassine Ramzi Sghaier (SPA/RAC).

Te giant limpet Patella ferruginea is a Mediterranean endemic species deemed to be endangered or threatened. It is particularly abundant around the Rachgoun island where its population © SPA/RAC, Alfonso Ramos espla seems to be one of the largest in the region

Te 0 to 1 m deep seabed is characterized by an almost continuous belt all around the island made up of Cystoseira amentacea and Sargassum trichocarpum, and this bears witness to the very good quality of the © SPA/RAC, Mouloud benabdi waters.

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Among the most remarkable communities observed on Rachgoun Island are the coralligenous and marine caves dominated by anthozoa, particularly Astroides calycularis. © SPA/RAC, Mouloud benabdi

In addition to being a habitat of conservation interest, the Posidonia oceanica meadows on Rachgoun Island have the scientifc interest of being located in the eastern border of the Alboran Sea and close to the boundary distribution of the species in the West African coast. A permanent monitoring system was set up at Rachgoun Island to study the evolution of the lower limit of the meadows. © SPA/RAC, Mouloud benabdi

Te marine area around Rachgoun Island feeds the entire western Algerian fshery and forms, with the Habibas islands and the Alidade bank, strategic areas for fshing activity. However, the fshing pressure, both professional and amateur, is very intense. Te declaration of Rachgoun Island as a marine protected area would preserve its important natural features. Te rocky bottoms around the island represent an ideal habitat for the recovery of populations of species targeted by fshing, as evidenced by the presence of juvenile groupers. © SPA/RACA, Alfonso Ramos espla

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Nine species of birds populate the Rachgoun islet: Cory’s shearwater, shag, yellow-legged gull, Audouin gull, little egret, cattle egret, Peregrine falcon, Eleonora’s falcon and the wood pigeon. In the photo background is the islet’s © SPA/RAC, yassine Ramzi Sghaier lighthouse which was built in 1879.

Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae. Te world population would not exceed © SPA/RAC, Association barbarous 4,000 specimen.

• Cartographie des habitats marins clés Go FURtheR de Méditerranée et initiation de réseaux de surveillance autour de l’île de Rach- goun. (in French)

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Jbel MoUSSA, the last refuge of the CoMMoN SeA GRASS in the MoRoCCAN Mediterranean

Te Jbel Moussa site has the only Zostera marina meadows remaining in the Moroccan Mediterranean and even in North Africa. Its sighting has been confrmed in this area within the framework of the MedKeyHabitats project of SPA/RAC.

Contributor : Hocein Bazairi, researcher In Morocco, the knowledge on the marine at the Mohammed V University in Rabat. phanerogam meadows is most incomplete. Within the framework of the MedKeyHabitas Te marine phanerogam meadows consti- project of SPA/RAC, two Zostera marina tute complex ecosystems with multiple eco- meadows have been identifed in the marine logical and biological functions. Tey pro- part of 'Jbel Moussa' located on the Moroccan vide the habitat, source of food, spawning side of the Straits of Gibraltar. Te two ground and refuge for numerous organism meadows of Jbel Moussa are in the most (Duarte and Chiscano, 1999). Tese eco- protected bays of Belyounech and Al Marsa P. wysocki systems are amongst the most productive on the sandy bottoms at depths up to 17 marine ecosystems and represent a conside- m. Tese are deep meadows similar to those from certain areas of the Mediterranean rable carbon sequestration potential within existing in the open bays in Southern Spain coast of Morocco where it was historically the context of climate change. Tey thus in the Alboran Sea. referred to, like the Cap des Trois Fourches constitute a habitat of remarkable ecologi- and the Nador lagoon. Te main reasons cal importance and of considerable interest Te presence of deep meadows in the of its regression are thought to be due to for the conservation of marine biodiversity. marine part of Jbel Moussa is probably due eutrophication, mechanical degradation, to the strong infuence of Atlantic waters pollution and global warming. In the Mediterranean, the marine phane- through the Straits of Gibraltar, which is rogam meadows constitute the frst « hot thought to enhance the presence of subtidal Te general decline in the distribution and spot » of marine biodiversity (Boudouresque meadows of Z. marina, as this species is abundance of the Zostera marina meadows 2004). Amongst the fve strictly marine spe- more common in the Atlantic rather than immediately necessitate regular monitoring cies acknowledged in the Mediterranean, the in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, these programmes and management measures for magnoliophyta Zostera marina Linnaeus is a are the only Zostera marina meadows still their restoration and protection. cold-water afnity species, which is found remaining on the Mediterranean coast of generally in coastal lagoons and the inner- Morocco and even in North Africa. Recent inforescences (in a spathe) most areas of fairly shallow bays (less than 5 surveys have confrmed its disappearance m depth ). rounded tip denticulate ribbon- margin like eaves Go FURtheR • Maroc : Site de Jbel Moussa. Cartographie des habitats marins clés de Méditerranée et initiation de réseaux de surveillance (in French) veins (3 to 9) • Photos of seabed taken in Jbel Moussa (captions in Arabic and French). 5 to 12 fne roots per node rhizomes

Apex General view Zostera marina - source FAO

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MAPPING MARINe Key hAbItAtS: 2 case studies in southern and northern Mediterranean

Within the framework of MedKeyHabitats project of SPA/RAC, surveying and mapping activities have been carried out in Cap Negro in Tunisia and in Platamuni and Ratac in Montenegro. Te studies provided a signifcant contribution in improving the knowledge of the distribution of the benthic biocenoses and species in these countries.

Contributors: Giovanni Torchia, Francesco Te drawing-up of thematic maps - inclu- In each of the study areas, to obtain a full Pititto (Golder Associates). ding the habitats - at the sea, has historical- coverage, the mapping activities were carried ly encountered more difculties (particular- out by integrating geomorphological and Te map of marine habitats is one of the ly related to the technology and costs) than bathymetric data - collected using respec- most important and powerful tools to foster the map elaboration on land. Currently tively a side scan sonar and a single beam the conservation and the spatial planning of there is still a gap in terms of quality and echo sounder - and biological data gathe- marine areas. quantity between the marine and the terres- red via scuba diving, underwater video and trial maps, but the technology to discover photographic samplings, underwater towed Some basic actions must be achieved for the the marine habitats presence, extension and camera and sediments collection with grab. creation and the management of MPA: geographical distribution has had a signif- Moreover, in both countries monitoring nets 1) the selection of areas to be protected; cant development in the last decades. of key habitats - Posidonia oceanica meadows and coralligenous biocenosis - were put in 2) the defnition of the zonation and ma- Advanced technologies and place according to the most relevant metho- nagement plans of the establishing ma- direct observation for the map rine protected area; and dology currently adopted: Pergent (2007) of marine habitats for the seagrass meadows and Garrabou et al. 3) the setting-up of monitoring plans. Te MedKeyHabitats Project coordinated (2014) for the coralligenous. by SPA/RAC aimed at assisting fve Medi- terranean countries (Algeria, Libya, Monte- vast Coralligenous platforms negro, Morocco and Tunisia) in compiling and rare species never reported cartographic inventories of marine habitats before in tunisia of conservation interest, also in view of Te study area investigated in Cap Ne- extending the network of Specially Protected gro was about 47 km2. Tree priority ha- Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPA- bitats were identifed: Posidonia oceanica MI). Within the framework of MedKeyHa- meadows; Coralligenous (Eunicella singula- bitats Golder Associates (Golder) has been ris facies and Eunicella cavolinii facies); Co- appointed by the SPA/RAC to carry out ralligenous platforms (Eunicella singularis the surveying and mapping activities in one facies and Leptogorgia sarmentosa facies). area in Tunisia (Cap Negro) and two areas in Montenegro (Platamuni and Ratac). Golder Te sum of these three key habitats covers conducted these studies in partnership with 30 km2, corresponding to the 63 % of the Okianos and in strict collaboration with the investigated study area localized between Institute of Marine Biology of Kotor, local Cap Negro and Sidi Mechreg. Te main academics and national authorities and insti- key features of the Cap Negro area are the tutions in Tunisia and Montenegro. wide extension of the Coralligenous plat-

Te benthic assemblage of the semi-dark caves habitat documented in the main cave of the Platamuni clif, at about 8,6 km south from Bigova. Te assemblages is dominated by sponges and wide spread colonies of the coral Polycyathus muellerae.

10 Newsletter of SPA/RAC - February 2017 forms and Eunicella facies, and the overall good status of conservation of the marine habitats (mainly due to the limited human activities along the coastline and the difculties to reach the area).

Among the identifed 147 benthic species (31 plants and algae, and 116 animals), 16 are listed in international conservation conventions or are key species for priority habitats. Tree species recorded in the study area - the rare mollusk Felimare gasconi, the rare cnidarian Cervera atlantica and the fsh Gobius fallax - were apparently never reported before in the North African Medi- A school of Seriola dumerili swimming in the coralligenous platforms of Cap Negro. terranean coast. Tis habitat has a wide extension covering more than 16 km2 in the study area.

Based on the maps of the habitats distri- Towards the frst marine protected face), while the hard substrata covers about bution a zonation of the areas including area in Montenegro the 12 % of the study area. specifc protection measures was proposed In the Ratac the study area was about 0,9 within the study. km2. Five protected species were recorded, Twelve protected species according to An- among them the Porifera Sarcotragus foe- nex II of the SPA/BD Protocol, 10 species Considering the achieved results and the tidus and the mollusk Tonna galea. A par- listed in the Appendix II of the CITES and extension of the key habitats, the Cap Ne- ticularly complex habitat was mapped in 3 priority habitats (P. oceanica meadow, Co- gro area presents the biological characteris- the area, it is characterized by the presence ralligenous and Biocenosis of the semi-dark tics to be selected as future SPAMI area. of Posidonia oceanica settled on hard or- caves) were documented and mapped in the ganogenous bottoms (bioconstructions) Platamuni area. with enclaves of coralligenous and sciaphy- 2 lus biocenoses and covers about 0,27 km . In particular two interesting zones were mapped: the main cave of the clif south of Considering the biological results and the Bigova and the Greben Kalafat area. overall extension of the area, the Ratac site doesn’t present the characteristics to be selected as future SPAMI area. However, consi- Te studied cave is settled by key benthic dering the limited bathymetry, the easy ac- assemblages dominated by madreporaria, cess and the relevant value of the submarine sponges and erect bryozoans. Te cave landscape of the mapped key habitat, it is is inhabited by protected species like the likely that the protection of this area could sponge Sarcotragus foetidus and the star fsh promote a local increase of emblematic (and Ophidiaster ophidianus. Te colonies of the also protected) fshes and macro-inverte- madreporaria Polycyathus muellerae are brates species. Within this framework, the wide extended in the cave and characterize Ratac area could play a relevant educational the environment. role and become a reference site for snorke- lers and scuba divers, fostering the develop- Te Greben Kalafat area is characterized ment of sustainable tourism. If so, the area by the presence of coralligenous biocenoses may play a promoter role of the positive tan- and the most extended seagrass meadow in gible efects of the protection of the marine the area. environment. Some specifc measures of protection and relevant management measures were suggested. Te establishment of a marine protected area and the boundary of a zonation (with In Platamuni an area of about 8,4 km2 was three levels of protection) were proposed studied. Te site is characterized by the do- for the Platamuni area. According to the minance of the biocenosis of the Coastal study, the zone is also a good candidate for detritic bottoms (about 83 % of the sur- the inscription in the SPAMI List.

Te Posidonia meadow lower limit on Greben Kalafat, a key zone (hot spot) for biodiversity in the area.

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Biocenotic map of the Cap Negro area. Te Coralligenous platforms interest in particular the Northern portion of the study area, while in the southern portion, hard substrata colonized by spots of Posidonia and gorgonian are particularly frequent.

Extract of the biocenotic map of the Platamuni area. Te Greben Kalafat site constitutes one of the few sectors of coast with an important extension of hard substrata far from the coastline. Posidonia meadow and benthic assemblages ascribing to coralligenous inhabit this site

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Postionning DGPS

Single beam echosounder

towed Camera biological Survey CtD Probe Geophysical Survey Rov

Side Scan Sonar

Direct observation by scuba diving

van veen Grab balise

Monitoring of Key habitats Photo Quadrat

Geophysical survey biological survey Monitoring key habitats Te side scan sonar is used to acquire acoustic images Direct observation are made by scuba diving to cha- Te coralligenous biocenosis is monitored by pho- of the seabottom and to distinguish geomorphological racterize the seabottom features on big scale and visual to-quadrats and the analysis of some morphological features (e.g. hard and soft bottoms) and habitats (e.g. censuses. Underwater videos and photos are taken to features. Te Posidonia oceanica meadows are moni- the seagrass meadows). Te single beam echosounder identify species and biocenoses. Te Van Veen grab is tored by balises to follow the lower limits. is used to record bathymetric data, when the CTD used to collect sediment samples to analyze the ben- probe is used to correct the bathymetric measures. thic fauna of soft bottoms. Underwater towed camera and ROV are used to verify the side scan sonar inter- Positioning pretation (ground-truth) and also to identify the dife- Te DGPS is used to collect positioning data with a rent benthic biocenoses on hard substrata. submetric accuracy thank to the EGNOS diferential correction.

Golder Associates is a global organiza- tion that provides consulting services. Golder was frstly established in Canada, in 1960, and is now present with 165 ofces worldwide and more than 6500 employees. Te Italian branch of Golder Associates is established since 1977 and counts a resident stuf of 180 employees, with a team of 30 person specialized in marine and terrestrial environmental/ ecological studies.

Go FURtheR • Mapping of Marine Key Habitats and initiation of monitoring network in Montenegro (English) • Tunisie : Cap Negro-Cap Serrat. Rapport fnal (French)

Te Eunicella singularis facies is widespread throughout the marine area of Cap Negro. Other two gorgonian species, Eunicella cavolinii and Leptogorgia sarmentosa, are also abundant in the area.

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yoUNG ReSeARCheRS,

SPA/RAC is supporting scientists, MPA managers and young researchers through its conferences and training sessions since 1989. Te objective is to strengthen national capacities for the protection and management of natural heritage and to promote regional cooperation in this feld.

Presentation of two students from Tunisia and Morocco who received support from SPA/RAC, in the framework of their research on species listed in the List of Endangered or Treatened Species of the Barcelona Convention (Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol), namely the Cystoseiras and the Zostera marina. the objective is to study are akin to land forests. Tese species cha- Tis thesis was supported fnancially by the racterize remarkable ecosystems in terms of MedKeyHabitats project. Te frst results of the Cystoseira in tunisia biodiversity and productivity. this survey have led to two scientifc articles Cyrine Bouaff is a PhD student at the Fa- published in a journal specializing in phyco- culty of Sciences of Tunis. She is studying Compared with other Mediterranean coun- logy in the Mediterranean (Cryptogamie-Al- the brown algae of the Cystoseira genus in tries, in particular the north-western basin, gologie). Tunisia, their diversity and their bio-geo- the cystoseiras have not been studied that graphy. much in Tunisia. Te research work under- Tese results were also presented at the 5th taken by Cyrine will make it possible to gain a Mediterranean Symposium on Marine Vege- Cystoseiras are of great heritage value in the deeper knowledge of these species in Tunisia, tation organized by SPA/RAC in Slovenia, Mediterranean, as they build marine « fo- but also in the Mediterranean from the taxo- to which Cyrine was invited. rests » which, from an ecological viewpoint, nomic, ecological and chemical viewpoint.

Go FURtheR • Bouaff C., Verlaque M. & Langar H., Agardh in the Mediterranean Sea, with Etat actuel des connaissances". In (2014). Cystoseira taxa new for the ma- the reinstatement of species rank for C. PNUE/PAM-CAR/ASP, 2015. Actes du rine fora of Tunisia. Cryptogamie-Algo- schifneri Hamel. Cryptogamie-Algologie 5ème symposium méditerranéen sur la logie 35(3): 269-283. 37(2): 133-154. végétation marine (Protoroz, Slovénie, 27-28 octobre 2014). Langar H., Bouaff • Bouaff C., Verlaque M. & Langar • Cyrine Bouaff, Ouerghi A. & Langar C., Ouerghi A., édit., CAR/ASP publ., H., (2016). New contribution to the H. (2014). Cystoseira sedoides (Desfon- Tunis : 264 p. knowledge of the genus Cystoseira C. taines) C.Agardh des côtes Tunisiennes :

14 Newsletter of SPA/RAC - February 2017 we belIeve in yoU !

Shed light on the Zostera marina meadows in Morocco

Since 1993 the Jbel Moussa site has been identifed as a Site of Biological and Ecologi- cal Interest (SIBE) by the Master Plan of the Protected Areas in Morocco. It is located on the southern side of the Straits of Gibraltar.

As for the « on-job-training » of SPA/RAC, organised by the MedKeyHabitats project, Loubna Boutahar, is a student at the Faculty of Sciences of the Mohammed V University in Rabat, and participated actively in all the marine surveys carried out in Jbel Moussa. She was initiated into the survey techniques of the marine phanerogam meadows as well as in the feld and in the laboratory.

At present Loubna is preparing a doctorate thesis, jointly between the Mohammed V University in Rabat and the University of Seville on these key habitats in the Mediter- ranean. Her research work is on the Zostera marina meadows in Jbel Moussa, the only ones remaining on the Mediterranean side of Morocco, and their comparison with those on the northern side of the Straits of Gibraltar, on the Spanish coast.

Tis thesis aims in particular to shed light on ecological quality, contamination and the im- vation of the Zostera marina meadows in the dynamics and the functioning of these pact of invasive species especially of the Cau- the Mediterranean, especially in the marine ecosystems in terms of the distribution, abundance and biomass, as well as to come up with lerpa racemosa algae on the meadows. part of the SIBE of Jbel Moussa, which are some elements on the biodiversity of the asso- amongst the prioritary sites which deserve ciated benthic macrofauna, the interactions Te results of this research work will help to become Specially Protected Areas on in terms of trophic networks, the state of the towards a better management and conser- Morocco’s Mediterranean side.

15 Newsletter of SPA/RAC - February 2017 New PUblICAtIoNS

Guides

BIOGENIC FORMATIONS IN THE Guidelines for the standardization Standard methods for inventorying Handbook for interpreting types Manuel d’interprétation des types SLOVENIAN SEA of mapping and monitoring and monitoring Coralligenous and of marine habitat for the selection d’habitats marins pour la sélection methods of marine Magnoliophyta Rhodoliths assemblages of sites to be included in the des sites à inclure dans les in the Mediterranean Méthodes standardisées pour national inventories of natural inventaires nationaux de sites Lignes directrices pour la l’inventaire et le suivi des sites of conservation interest naturels d’intérêt pour la standardisation des méthodes peuplements de Coralligènes et conservation de cartographie et de surveillance de Rhodolithes des Magnoliophytes marines en Méditerranée

Proceedings

Proceedings of the 5th Proceedings of 2nd Mediterranean Proceedings of the 1st Mediterranean symposium on symposium on the conservation Mediterranean symposium on the PROCEEDINGS OF 2nd MEDITERRANEAN PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1st MEDITERRANEAN RAC/SPA marine vegetation SYMPOSIUM ON THE CONSERVATION of coralligenous and other RAC/SPA SYMPOSIUM ON THE CONSERVATION OF conservation of dark habitats OF CORALLIGENOUS AND OTHER DARK HABITATS ème Portorož, Slovenia, 31 October 2014 er Actes du 5 symposium CALCAREOUS BIO-CONCRETIONS calcareous bio-concretions Actes du 1 symposium Portorož, Slovenia, 29-30 October 2014 ème ACTES DU 1er SYMPOSIUM MÉDITERRANÉEN Méditerranéen sur la végétation ACTES DU 2ème SYMPOSIUM Actes du 2 symposium SUR LA CONSERVATION DES HABITATS méditerranéen sur la conservation MÉDITERRANÉEN SUR LA OBSCURS marine CONSERVATION DU CORALLIGÈNE ET Méditerranéen sur la conservation Portorož, Slovénie, 31 octobre 2014 des habitats obscurs AUTRES BIO-CONCRÉTIONS Portorož, Slovenie, 29-30 octobre 2014 du coralligène et autres bio- concrétions

Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat | B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex -Tunisia Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) phone: +216 71 206 649 / +216 71 206 485 / +216 71 206 851 / +216 71 206 765 Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat | B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex -Tunisia Fax: +216 71 206 490 phone: +216 71 206 649 / +216 71 206 485 / +216 71 206 851 / +216 71 206 765 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +216 71 206 490 E-mail: [email protected]

Centre d’Activités Régionales pour les Aires Spécialement Protégées (CAR/ASP) Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafet - B.P. 337 - 1080 - Tunis Cedex - Tunisie Centre d’Activités Régionales pour les Aires Spécialement Protégées (CAR/ASP) Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafet - B.P. 337 - 1080 - Tunis Cedex - Tunisie

Téléphone: +216 71 206 649 / +216 71 206 485 / +216 71 206 851 / +216 71 206 765 © OCEANA Fax: +216 71 206 490 Ruitton © Sandrine Téléphone: +216 71 206 649 / +216 71 206 485 / +216 71 206 851 / +216 71 206 765 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +216 71 206 490 E-mail: [email protected] web: www.rac-spa.org web: www.rac-spa.org

October 2014 October 2014

Reports

Montenegro: Platamuni Montenegro: Platamuni Tunisie : Cap Negro-Cap Serrat Tunisie : Cap Negro-Cap Serrat Algérie : Île de Rachgoun Maroc : Site de Jbel Moussa and Ratac areas and Ratac areas Synthèse des connaissances Cartographie des habitats marins Cartographie des habitats marins Cartographie des habitats marins Summary report of the available Mapping of marine key habitats and disponibles et analyses des lacunes clés de Méditerranée et initiation clés de Méditerranée et initiation clés de Méditerranée et initiation knowledge and gap analysis initiation of monitoring network de réseaux de surveillance de réseaux de surveillance de réseaux de surveillance

16 Newsletter of SPA/RAC - February 2017

this issue was prepared by: Dorra MAAOUI (coordination) Yassine Ramzi SGHAIER Atef OUERGHI Asma KHERIJI

with the contribution of: Paule GROS Mouloud BENABDI Alfonso RAMOS ESPLA Hocein BAZAIRI Giovanni TORCHIA Francesco PITITTO Cyrine BOUAFIF Loubna BOUTAHAR

United Nations environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC) Boulevard du leader Yasser Arafat - B.P. 337 - 1080 Tunis Cedex - TUNISIA Tel.: (+216) 71 206 649 / 71 206 485 • Fax: (+216) 71 206 490 E-mail: [email protected] • www.rac-spa.org