Mediterranean Echo

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E urope /Zankl / WWF / /Zankl urope

NEWSLETTER December 2012

Mediterranean echo Newsletter of the WWF Mediterranean Programme • Issue 11 Generate a sea change in Mediterranean marine management • Build a future for Mediterranean landscapes • Secure Mediterranean water resources • Equip Mediterranean ecosystems to adapt to climate change

a victory for tuna and a great example for sustainable fisheries management On the occasion of World Fisheries Day (21 November) it is vital for WWF to reflect upon a recent victory, and the long and arduous journey towards this success. One of the most threatened fish in the world, the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, could now be on the road to recovery, helped by decision makers who decided to stick to scientific advice when establishing fishing quotas for 2013. WWF celebrated the first positive signs of bluefin tuna stock increase revealed in a recent scientific assessment by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), and the fact that, in spite of these first recovery signs, decision makers attending the 2012 ICCAT meeting in November in Agadir (Morocco) decided to strictly follow this scientific advice by setting quotas for the next two years, a neccessary step to achieve the sustainable management of the species. Since 2001, WWF has worked hard to influence the management, trade and consumption patterns of Atlantic bluefin tuna to avert collapse and allow this species to fully recover. We never lost faith in the possibility of saving the most hopeless of fisheries. Seeing what we see today means that all our efforts are finally paying off to give a future to bluefin tuna. We would like this recovery of Atlantic bluefin tuna to become a case study for sustainable fisheries management in the world and call on the EU to follow this example by implementing management plans with a clear timeframe for recovery within its ongoing reform of the EU Fisheries policy.

Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries, WWF-Mediterranean

Since 2008, WWF has been tagging bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and recently deployed electronic tag number 100. Through tagging WWF Mediterranean is studyiing the tuna’s migratory behavior, biology and ecology. It was previously thought that tuna were going back and forth between Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, but according to tagging results such a pattern is not systematic. WWF has also discovered previously unknown feeding areas in the western Mediterranean basin. With more field tagging work, WWF can continue to fill the gaps in what we know about bluefin tuna and increase the chances of the long-term survival of this emblematic fish by better advising fisheries managers. The entire procedure, from hauling the fish on board to its release, takes barely 3 minutes. [email protected]

1 Generate a sea change in Mediterranean marine management

Bluefin tuna links Watch our latest video and follow the tuna tagging: mediterranean.panda.org/about/ marine/bluefin_tuna/science_in_ action/ See WWF’s report on unreported bluefin tuna trade through Panama: mediterranean.panda.org/?206573/ Panama-trading-in-unreported- SOCIAL BENEFITS bluefin-tuna • awareness • equity • culture USEFUL LESSONS FOR PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT PLANNING MPA Not a compendium of guidelines € or recommendations, but a ECONOMIC ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS BENEFITS practical tool for managers, • tourism • refuges NGOs and practitioners involved • fisheries • biodiversity • jobs • resilience in management planning for all protected areas. Making Marine Protected Areas work: lessons learned in the Mediterranean includes case studies from 9 MPAs in Algeria, Croatia, Libya, marine reserves an antidote to the crisis in the Mediterranean Tunisia, and Turkey. It provides useful examples on how to address For the first time in the Mediterranean, 300 key players involved in common challenges and showcase marine environment conservation met to discuss and develop a joint solutions based on activities, work programme to improve the protection of the Mediterranean Sea. achievements and the experiences The 2012 Forum of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean (25-28 of stakeholders involved in the November 2012 in Antalya, Turkey) is a joint initiative of the Network of MedPAN South Project. Launched Marine Protected Areas Managers in the Mediterranean (MedPAN) and and shared among the marine its partners, including WWF, to develop a concrete plan to protect 10% of conservation community during the the surface of the Mediterranean through an effective network of Marine MPA Forum at the end of November, Protected Areas, by 2020. Public support is instrumental in boosting the the booklet is available in English, designation of marine reserves and their effective management. WWF French and Arabic at: launched an online petition asking Mediterranean government leaders to increase protection of the Mediterranean through a greater commitment www.panda.org/msp to MPAs towards the achievement of the 10% protection target. The petition has obtained more than 22,000 signatures over the last 4 months [email protected] and was presented at the MPA Forum to key decision makers. WWF believes MPAs can be an antidote to the current socioeconomic crisis, being an investment in the Mediterranean region’s future.

[email protected]

Imagine...... a colossal fin whale plunging deep into the Mediterranean’s azure depths, 22,098 people gulping down soupy, bus-sized mouthfuls of krill. Another hunt takes place above water, as local fishermen haul in sardines with special gear that eliminates accidental bycatch. Divers and tourists marvel at large groupers We count on you to spread the word. Please participate and share the hiding behind rocks and metre-tall pen shells dotting lush meadows of campaign within your own networks: posidonia. This is what life in the Med could be. MPAs can help us get there. www.panda.org/med_mpa © G. G. © Yb arra / WWF-Canon / arra

2 Generate a sea change in Mediterranean marine management

European Parliament supports global The Ayvalik Islands Nature Park Expert advice on protecting marine sustainable fisheries practices consists of 20 islands which mammals received legal protected area status The EU is a major player in global in 1995. In recent years, the area The latest step in the “Thalassa: fisheries. The impacts of its fleets has become a popular tourist Learn, Act, Protect campaign”, in waters around the world are destination with its beautiful run by WWF Greece and MΟm substantial, contributing to 85% coastline and splendid nature. the Society for the Study and of global fish stocks that are either Many divers are attracted by its Protection of the Mediterranean fully or overexploited. Around red coral reefs, endemic to the Monk Seal, involves a series of 25% of the EU fleet operates in Mediterranean. seminars targeting a wide range of waters outside the EU and has a stakeholders. Participants (those [email protected] substantial impact. The European involved in marine mammal External fisheries policy, then, 4th National Marine Turtle Symposium conservation) are carefully selected has a tremendous effect on world in Turkey and have included the National fisheries. WWF congratulates the Coast Guard, managers of protected European Parliament for voting in Those involved in marine turtle areas and local authorities. favour of the external dimension conservation in Turkey and the Participants are encouraged to report of the Common Fisheries Mediterranean had an important share their professional experience, Policy (CFP) on 22 November. opportunity recently to examine suggestions and proposals. An ambitious CFP reform, which threats to marine turtle nesting, Seminars for cadets and future external dimension policy is part of, feeding, breeding and migration captains of both the Mercantile can provide a secure future for fish sites. The 4th National Marine and the Military Marine Academies and fishermen in Europe and the Turtle Symposium, held in October concentrate on how to identify rest of the world. At the beginning in Canakkale, Turkey, provided sperm whales and fin whales, of November WWF presented a review of marine turtle studies the most common victims of 150,000 signatures to the European and information on effective collisions with vessels. To raise Parliament from citizens across conservation techniques, successful the awareness of decision makers Europe demanding healthy oceans examples and an update of the on the need for effective marine and sustainable fishing practices. National Species Action Plan mammal conservation, the Thalassa [email protected] for Marine Turtles. There were project also includes seminars for fisheries and rescue/rehabilitation government officials, Members of © WWF/ © workshops, and support for existing Parliament and Members of the

E networks on local, national and European Parliament. . Sc

a international levels. More than www.thalassa-project.gr g netti 150 participants attended. The 5th National Marine Turtle Symposium will be held in 2014 in Adana, Turkey. [email protected] © H. H. © YOKES

508 marine species identified at WWF- /

Ayvalik Islands Nature Park TURKEY WWF-Turkey is conducting a marine biodiversity survey at the Ayvalik Islands Natural Park, on the North Aegean coast of Turkey. Field studies have identified 508 marine species so far. The goal of the project, a collaborative effort with the General Directorate for Protection of Natural Assets and UNDP-Turkey, is to produce baseline information about the marine biodiversity of the Park.

3 Build a future for Mediterranean landscapes © © A ndrija Vrdoljak / WWF-Cannon / Vrdoljak ndrija Forests supporting sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina As part of a project to promote responsible forest management in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the FSC Chain of Custody certification of a wood processing company (Ramex) is underway, while work is also proceding on the identification of high-conservation value forests (HCVF) in the country. Current legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn’t support cooperation between forest producing and wood processing companies, but stakeholders at all nature does not recognize borders levels met in Banovici, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in September, to find Having worked closely for six years with the ministries responsible solutions to legal obstacles and for nature protection in the Dinaric Arc region, WWF Mediterranean seek compliance with FSC and EU launched a project in early 2012 to create an association of nature and Timber Regulation requirements. national parks in the territory of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Now, [email protected] for the first time in more than 20 years, people working in protected areas of these countries were able to meet, exchange ideas and network. And the conclusion that the more than 200 participants of the Wildfires threaten endemic species international conference Dinaric Arc Parks (19-23 November in Banja Poor forest management practices, Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina) reached after five days of intense work the economic crisis, climate change and discussion, is that the beauty of protected areas and the Parks and human negligence combined Dinarides brand will reconnect the Dinaric Arc region, because nature to threaten Mediterranean forests does not recognize borders. Dinaric Arc Parks was a unique opportunity last summer. WWF calculates that for people from the region to understand how protected areas function, over 300,000ha of agricultural and to know they are not alone in any problems they may face in the land and forests with high management of these areas. The project will strengthen dialogue and economic and environmental cooperation by developing a regional sense of belonging based on a value in Portugal, Italy, Greece, common natural heritage and rebuilding a positive internal and external Spain and Turkey were hit hard by image. A workshop to identify projects to foster collaboration between uncontrollable wildfires. According protected areas of the region resulted in over twenty exciting ideas to the habeas tool – Hotspot Areas being formulated, and developed into initial project concepts with goals, for Biodiversity and Ecosystem objectives, partners and suggestions for funding sources. Services – developed by WWF, the fire in the Sítio Natura Serra do © p. © petra dinaricarcparks.blogspot.com Caldeirão, in southern Portugal, To join the Dinaric Arc affected areas which host important Parks e-newsletter: c endemic species of the Iberian / WWF mediterranean WWF / [email protected] Peninsula.

www.habeas-med.org

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the IJC opinion on the Kosovo declaration of The MedPAN South Project independence The MedPAN South Project (2009–2013) is a collaborative effort led by WWF Mediterranean bringing together more than 20 partner WWF’s Leon Kebe and Deni Porej with organizations to improve the management effectiveness of Marine ambassador of Norway Lilloe Anne Vibeke. Protected Areas in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region.

The MedPAN South Technical Series The Technical Series of the MedPAN South project is a collection of scientific and technical reports which share, with the MPA community at large, new knowledge acquired on MPAs, specifically 4 for the south and east of the Mediterranean. Build a future for Mediterranean landscapes © © M

. Barata / WWF WWF / Barata . Unique opportunity for cork Exploring the links between The cork sector is under threat, ecological and economic crises in the but the growth of the wine sector Mediterranean

P poses a unique opportunity for The Global Footprint Network ortu credibly certified cork, according released the findings of a two- g al to conclusions reached at GFTN- year study – Mediterranean Iberia’s first FSC Cork Business Ecological Footprint Trends – in Meeting held in September in November. Growing demands Cáceres, Spain. FSC certification on the Mediterranean region’s and the use of the FSC logo can help ecosystems threaten the foundation Adagio for hackSaw create worldwide awareness of the of its social and economic well- importance of the cork ecosystem being. By 2008, the region’s The world premiere of a and, therefore, push for the increase Ecological Footprint – the demand unique concert item – Adagio of FSC-certified areas in cork oak on Earth’s bioproductive land and for a hacksaw – took place forests. “One of the most important sea areas – exceeded local available at Green Festival 2012 in conclusions reached in the meeting ecological assets by more than Estoril, Portugal. The five- was the need to get retailers 150%. With possibly one exception minute piece draws attention involved in the use of FSC cork (Montenegro), every country in to the importance of forest stoppers,” said Elena Dominguez, the Mediterranean region has now preservation and the threats GFTN-Iberia Manager in Spain. “It moved from ecological creditor to that forest ecosystems are is important that retailers take this debtor status, and demand more of facing. One of the greatest step to preserve these threatened Earth’s renewable resources than symbols of forest destruction – forests.” “Essentially, when are locally available. Countries meet the saw – was used to interpret popping a bottle with an FSC cork their ecological deficits through the beautiful “Lacrimosa” stopper, we are contributing to the trade and overexploiting their from Mozart’s Requiem. The conservation of one of the richest own ecosystems. One exception to musician Andreas Piper created ecological ecosystems in the world,” regional trends: Portugal was the an inspiring moment that led all said Rui Barreira, GFTN-Iberia sole country to have significantly present to reflect on increasing Manager in Portugal. narrowed its ecological deficit in forest deforestation and threats gftn.panda.org/ recent years (an 18% per capita to the balance of life and nature. decrease between 1998 and 2008). WWF is working in Portugal But the country’s per capita deficit on the Green Heart of Cork is still higher than the regional project which aims to conserve average. The link between economic the most extensive cork forests and environmental crises is a strong in the world and the largest one, and it is clear that sustainable water reservoir in the Iberian economies, security and cultural Peninsula, in the basin of the dialogue in our region will not Tejo -Sado. be achieved without a healthy

[email protected] Mediterranean environment.

5 SecureXxxx xxxxx Mediterranean water resources © ramsar © EU revision shows major shortcomings of EIAs in Croatia At the beginning of 2012 the European Commission engaged an independent expert to assess the quality of the Environmental Impact Assessments of major infrastructure projects in Croatia along the rivers Danube, Sava, Neretva, Drava, Mura and Ombla. Now the report has been finalized and the expert confirms major shortcomings in the EIA studies and Tunisia names two more wetlands for the Ramsar List assessments: non-compliance Following on from Tunisia’s designation of 15 new Wetlands of International with EU laws, low quality of Importance for World Wetlands Day earlier this year, on 21 September the information and major data Government of Tunisia celebrated the designation of two significant new gaps, no appropriate assessment Ramsar Sites. The Mlaabi reservoir (98 hectares) is a freshwater storage of impacts and no assessment area on the Cap Bon peninsula constructed mainly for ground water of alternatives. The report was recharge, which supports several populations of waterbirds migrating recently sent by the EC to the between African wintering grounds and Eurasian breeding grounds. Minister for the Environment The Complexe des Chott el Guetayate et Sebkhet Dhreia et Oueds Akarit, and Nature Protection in Croatia Rekhama et Meleh (4,845 hectares) includes intertidal marshes situated in highlighting the need to strictly an estuarine coastal environment, crossed by several valleys extending to comply with the EU acquis in the Gulf of Gabes. The site has a rich diversity of habitats, supports several all investment projects. WWF, waterbird and fish species and is an important archaeological and cultural Green Action, the Croatian site with great historical value. The historic fortress of Ghar-el-Meleh is Society for Birds and Nature currently being converted into what will soon become the first Wetland Protection and EuroNatur have Education Centre of Tunisia, as part of a WWF-led project. repeatedly warned that more than 500km of Croatia’s natural More details at http://bit.ly/T4ZJ8a river stretches were at risk from [email protected] seven large-scale river regulation projects, five of which have With renewal of the ponds, they Standards for HPP planning in already gained the approval of will start to serve again as an area Montenegro the Croatian Ministry of the for feeding, resting and breeding Environment in recent years. of many rare and endangered bird To support decision makers http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ species. During a press conference in making more sustainable countries/strategy-and-progress- report/index_en.htm presenting the project ‘Restoration decisions when issuing a licence or a permit for the construction of [email protected] of wetlands in the area of the Mura, Drava and Danube’, a declaration of new hydro dams in Montenegro, cooperation between WWF and the WWF and Green Home are Restoration of valuable wetlands in Kopački rit Nature Park was signed, developing guidelines to ensure Kopački rit Nature Park ensuring the long-term preservation that hydropower sustainability is of wetland habitats and biodiversity fostered in the country during the The recent restoration of the in Danube ponds. planning and developing process of Podunavlje fishponds in the new hydropower plants. Standards Kopački rit Nature Park in Croatia [email protected] will be developed by a freshwater © © is part of WWF’s programme J working group, established in the . . S for the protection of floodplains adiko framework of the DASHI project

in the Danube river basin. The v and facilitated by a local expert. i c ponds were abandoned several Green / years ago resulting in overgrown [email protected] wetlands with reduced functions O sijek and values, with an increasingly negative impact on biodiversity.

6 Equip Mediterranean ecosystems to adapt to climate change

Guide for Investors in Sustainable • Hydropower in the Dinaric Arc Morocco, a country of renewable energy? the WWF Mediterranean has developed There is a lot of talk about the transition to sustainable energy facing big industrialized countries. Europe expects Mediterranean countries m

a guide that contributes to a new initiative editerranean approach to decision making by to subscribe to its ambitious renewable energy targets, but what providing investors and developers about countries like Morocco? How can they manage a major change with a detailed overview of the towards a sustainable energy policy, and avoid being reduced to a benefits, costs and risks to be taken supplier of green energy for big northern neighbours? Climate change into account when considering has already had tangible effects, and the next 10 years will be decisive investments in dams, and in for Morocco’s engagement with sustainable development, both for particular hydropower. ecosystems and people. At the end of November WWF presented a More details at http://bit.ly/OWtarJ report dealing with these issues to a group of NGOs from Morocco, [email protected] Tunisia and Algeria at a workshop, organized in Rabat in close collaboration with the Moroccan network of NGOs Groupe de Travail, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung and supported by the Spanish Aid Agency. WWF launches appeal to EU leaders Participants explored the principles, politics and policy of renewable •

ahead of budget summit energy, energy saving measures, grid access and management, renewable energy building targets and the involvement of civil DEC Europe is at a crossroads, with society in the EuroMed Mediterranean Solar Plan. They particularly negotiations over the European e appreciated the opportunity to role-play and debate key issues as part m budget 2014-20 at a crucial point of the simulation activity ‘Heliosthana’. This led to much valuable 2012 ber at the EU leader’s summit at the discussion concerning what it means to change national energy plans end of November. Chief Executives towards a sustainable renewable energy policy. and Directors of 17 of WWF’s European National and Programme www.panda.org/heliosthana Offices have issued a joint appeal [email protected] to revive the ideal of a sustainable © s. m s. © Europe as a means of uniting its z peoples behind a common goal. ou gh

In the appeal WWF is asking for WWF / i 10 principles to be adopted by European Institutions if we are to have a chance of revitalising the ailing European economy, injecting fresh optimism into the European project and galvanizing citizens around an environmentally and socially responsible vision of society. The “Paris Appeal” was adopted as one of the conclusions of WWF France’s 6th Green Forum, held in September, and has been formally endorsed by the WWF network. For a full copy of the declaration contact [email protected] m editerranean.panda.org

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