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. The database currently comprises 393 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 from Nov 2008: changes in the number of records since the last update. 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 2019: 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 ferry ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Ports are classified in groups according to its level of activity.

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. The database currently comprises 393 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 from Nov 2008: changes in the number of records since the last update. 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 2019: 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 ship alerts and accidents along the Mediterranean Sea, between 2008 - 2014. This point layer represent the location of ship accidents registered in the database of the Mandate of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC). Database includes accidents that caused pollution by oil or other hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), or were likely to cause it.

The global coverage of marine protected areas (MPAs) is 7.68%. The Global Ocean can be divided into areas within national jurisdiction (National Waters) and those in international waters (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)). MPAs can be more easily created by governments in national waters where there are dedicated legal systems in place. In ABNJ it is more difficult to create MPAs due to the complex legal framework in place. As such, the percentage of MPAs created within national waters is much higher than that for ABNJ. National waters represent 39% of the global ocean and at present, 17.86% of these waters are designated as protected areas. In contrast, only 1.18% of ABNJ, which makes up the remaining 61% of the global ocean, has been established as protected areas. At present, international discussions are underway to establish ways of simplifying the process to create MPAs in ABNJ. For more information on this, please see the DOALOS website. 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).

The Pelagos Sanctuary is a marine area of 87,500 sq. km subject to an agreement between Italy, Monaco and France for the protection of marine mammals, which live in it. What makes the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals unique is the fact that it is a site managed by three different authorities and includes coastal areas and international waters that form a large ecosystem of major scientific, socio-economic, cultural and educational interest. The entire Sanctuary can be broadly considered to be a biogeographically distinct sub-section of the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) that is the Mediterranean. This sub-section is marked by greater productivity caused by a variety of mechanisms of fertilization enhancing the level of primary production: coastal waters, the delayed effect of winter mixing, the frontal area, upwelling phenomena and complex structures that combine divergent and convergent features. However, the biodiversity within this sub-section of the Marine Ecosystem of Great Dimension Mediterranean undergoes the combined pressure of natural environmental fluctuations and human impacts. This área 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 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).

Suitable area for floating Offshore Wind Farms (water depth 50 to 200 m and wind speeds*greater than 5m/sec at 80 m height above sea level) From MEDTRENDS 2015 for PHAROS4MPAs

Biosphere Reserve consists of a dynamic and interactive network of sites of excellence. It fosters the harmonious integration of people and nature for sustainable development through participatory dialogue; knowledge sharing; poverty reduction and human well-being improvements; respect for cultural values and society’s ability to cope with change - thus contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accordingly, the Network is one of the main international tools to develop and implement sustainable development approaches in a wide array of contexts. The Network of Biosphere Reserves promotes North-South and South-South collaboration and represents a unique tool for international co-operation through sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, building capacity and promoting best practices. 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 Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities. The criteria for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas and the criteria for the designation of special areas are not mutually exclusive. In many cases a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area may be identified within a Special Area and vice versa. 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).