Medbiolitter database summarises results of scientific studies on biodiversity and marine litter interactions in the Mediterranean Sea. To this end, information is collected from different data sources, such as institutions or projects, as well as peer-reviewed publications. The main source of data currently is LITTERBASE/AWI, including only the coverage within the Mediterranean. Several spatial and data corrections were made from the previous version (v.3, Sep 2019). The database currently comprises 568 records on interactions. Interaction refers to encounters between wildlife and litter items and are classified in four categories: 1) Ingestion, which is the most frequently observed interaction, followed by 2) entanglement, which affects motility, often with fatal consequences, 3) colonization, which occurs when many species settle on floating litter, and 4) others, including different types of less frequent interaction. The database includes among others the location, the type of interaction and litter, marine realm (beach, sea surface, water column, seafloor), habitat, species, whether it occurs in a marine protected area and the type in such case, as well as references to the publication from which the data are extracted. The layer is represented in different ways in the MED Biodiversity platform: 1) Marine litter and biodiversity interactions: it shows the database by type of interaction (ingestion, entanglement, colonization and other) and marine realm (pelagic or benthic). 2) Knowledge update: changes in the number of records in each database version. It tries to represent the efforts of the PANACeA project to gather additional information on the Mediterranean Sea. 3) Marine litter knowledge from 1988 to present date: shows the years of publication of the source of the records in the database. In recent dates, especially since 2015, there has been a notable increase in the number of publications related to marine litter.

The map shows the distribution of main fishing ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Ports are ranked by tonnage per vessel (total gross tonnage, GT/number of vessels). This indicator is based on fleet stats of DG MARE, 2014.

The map shows the distribution of main ferry ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Ports are classified in groups according to its level of activity.

Med-IAMER project covers two main regions: the Western Mediterranean, including the Alboran Sea, as one study area and the Adriatic and Ionian Sea as the other study area. Both areas are represented by the boundaries defined by the Marine Ecoregions of the World (MEOW, Spalding et al. 2007). The ecoregion concept has been used for as these boundaries best represent the ecological differences in the Mediterranean.

POSBEMED is a Study Project of the biodiversity protection community funded by the Interreg Med Programme. The POSBEMED project deals with "Sustainable management of the systems Posidonia-beaches in the Mediterranean region". The POSBEMED project is addressing topics as GIS database on posidonia meadows, touristic activities and Pas, guidelines for sustainable beach and stranded seagrass management, strategy and action plan for Mediterranean regions and Benchmarking study on management practices for posidonia banquettes/beaches are addressed. This specific map represents the municipalities distribution where the questionnaire on the perceptions about Posidonia banquettes on Mediterranean beaches has been realized.

The EU has established a robust and ambitious policy framework to address the multiple challenges facing its marine environment and to ensure a more sustainable ecosystem-based approach to the use of its marine resources. The Habitats and Birds Directives, along with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, are the environmental pillar of the wider Integrated Maritime Policy. They are also at the heart of the EU’s contribution to international efforts, including the four Regional Seas Conventions (HELCOM, OSPAR, Barcelona, Black Sea) and the Ocean Governance agenda. The total coverage of EU seas covered by marine protected areas has more than doubled in the last six years, primarily due to the expansion of the Natura 2000 network – the largest coordinated network of conservation areas in the world. The Habitats Directive lists nine marine habitat types and 16 species for which marine site designation is required, whilst the Birds Directive lists a further 60 bird species whose conservation requires marine site protection. To date (end 2018), more than 3150 marine Natura 2000 sites have been designated, which cover almost 10% of the total EU marine area (over 550,000 km2). These areas are recollected into MAPAMED which is a cartographic database of key information on Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) potential Other Effective área-based Conservation Measure (OECMs), and more broadly on sites of interest for marine conservation. It is developed and administered jointly by UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the MedPAN Association. For detailed information, please consult the MAPAMED user manual (April 2021 version).

A Fisheries Restricted Area (FRA) is a geographically defined area in which some specific fishing activities are temporarily or permanently banned or restricted in order to improve the exploitation patterns and conservation of specific stocks as well as of habitats and deep-sea ecosystems. In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, 1,760,000 km2 of sea habitats are protected by nine FRAs established by the GFCM. This includes one large deep-water FRA (1,730,000 km2) in which the use of towed dredges and trawl nets in all waters deeper than 1000 metres is banned to protect deep-sea benthic habitats. These areas are recollected into MAPAMED which is a cartographic database of key information on Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) potential Other Effective área-based Conservation Measure (OECMs), and more broadly on sites of interest for marine conservation. It is developed and administered jointly by UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the MedPAN Association. For detailed information, please consult the MAPAMED user manual (April 2021 version).

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. The natural marine heritage is recollected into MAPAMED which is a cartographic database of key information on Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) potential Other Effective área-based Conservation Measure (OECMs), and more broadly on sites of interest for marine conservation. It is developed and administered jointly by UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the MedPAN Association. For detailed information, please consult the MAPAMED user manual (April 2021 version).

The map shows the number of moorings in marina ports per kilometre of coastline for each NUTS3 region. Data source: Plan Bleu, Spanish Yachting Port Federation, Portbooker, EEA, 2014.

The EBSAs are special areas in the ocean that serve important purposes, in one way or another, to support the healthy functioning of oceans and the many services that it provides. These areas are recollected into MAPAMED which is a cartographic database of key information on Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) potential Other Effective área-based Conservation Measure (OECMs), and more broadly on sites of interest for marine conservation. It is developed and administered jointly by UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the MedPAN Association. For detailed information, please consult the MAPAMED user manual (April 2021 version).