The Ecosystem approach for the Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems achieves its milestones toward COP 19

¨The SCP Action Plan for the Mediterranean, which is currently being developed by UNEP/MAP Secretariat and SCP/RAC  within the EC funded SWITCH-Med Programme, can be used as a transversal strategy contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) in the Mediterranean”. This was acknowledged at the 4th Coordination Group Meeting of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) project, which aims at designing a key implementation strategy for the Mediterranean, setting ecological and operational objectives to bring and keep the marine and coastal ecosystems within their carrying capacities.  The overall objective of this project is to support UNEP/MAP to implement the COP decisions regarding the application of ecosystem approach in the Mediterranean in full synergy and coherence with the implementation of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The Ecosystem Approach goes beyond examining single issues, species, or ecosystem functions in isolation. Instead, it recognizes ecological systems for what they are: rich mixes of elements that interact with each other continuously. This understanding is particularly important for coasts and seas, where the nature of water keeps systems and functions connected.

Meryem Cherif, project manager of SCP/RAC, who attended the meeting outlined that one of the recommendations of the meeting was the request to the UNEP/MAP Secretariat “to ensure strong link between EcAp and process leading up to […] a SCP Action Plan for the Mediterranean”. According to Cherif “the SCP Action Plan can play an important role within the development of the EcAp project since it will establish common measures and objectives to shift to SCP in the Mediterranean countries, addressing thus the key drivers to the state of the marine and coastal environment, monitored by the project”.

The outcomes of the meeting will be used as guidelines for the development of the project until the next meeting, which is foreseen to be taking place on the first semester of 2015.

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