A regional network of sustainable managed areas as the way forward for the implementation of an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the Mediterranean

8 pages, 4 figures, 1 tableIn the Mediterranean there are a number of key issues that demand attention in relation to the application of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management. First, this region is considered a biodiversity hotspot where the pressures of human activities on ecosystems are predicted to increase. Second, fisheries in the Mediterranean, despite its significant impact, have not adopted the widely advocated ecosystem-based management. And third, the complex political situation in the Mediterranean, with many countries involved and a large fraction of international waters obstructs the adoption of a common management strategy. The way forward for ecosystem protection requires an enhancement of marine spatial planning, throughout the establishment of a network of sustainable managed areas. This network should be implemented at the Mediterranean regional scale, improving and integrating the best available knowledge to inform decision making and develop regional-based strategies. A regional management body should assume the coordination to ensure the success of a common strategy and safeguard the correct functioning of an ecosystem-based management. But first Mediterranean countries need to overcome their lack of cooperation and adopt a trans-boundary strategyS.J. was funded by COMSOM project (CTM2008-04617/MAR). J.M. was supported by a José Castillejo grant (JC2008-00263) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and is indebted to Prof M. Kaiser and the staff at School of Ocean Sciences (Bangor University) for their support and advice on the early manuscript preparationPeer reviewe