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SUSTAINABLE FINANCING OF MPAs IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: A FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the first assessment of financing needs and gaps both for effective
management of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and for achievement of the
Aichi targets of 10% of the marine area protected in the Mediterranean Sea. The approach
developed for this study is also the first of this kind in the region: based on data collection
from a representative sample of MPAs and through interviews with national authorities, it has
collected and compiled both local data on MPA financing and national data on resource
mobilisation for MPAs in 17 countries of the Mediterranean Sea. It reveals the size of the
funding gap for effective management of MPAs in the region and attainment of the Aichi
target.

1.1 Budget analysis

This study is based on a twofold The OPTIMAL SCENARIO is defined as the level of funding
survey performed at both local and required for operating all programs to reach and sustain
national levels. At the local level, a optimal ecosystem functioning in MPAs. This ensures
detailed budget analysis was achievement of short-, medium-, and long-term goals for the
conducted, assessing the cost marine protected areas, in accordance with the highest
environmental, social, and economic standards (Flores et al.,
structure for a sample of 20 2008).
Mediterranean MPAs. The local
survey completed by MPA
managers provides an estimate of The IDEAL MANAGEMENT SCENARIO is defined as the
level of funding required to achieve Aïchi Target 11, i.e. “at
individual MPA funding needs for least […] 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas […]
both optimal and ideal scenarios conserved through effectively and equitably managed,
(see Boxes opposite). ecologically representative and well-connected systems of
protected areas”.
The national survey, completed by
official authorities, provides an
annual estimate of current resource mobilisation, including financial resources from
international cooperation devoted specifically to MPAs. This national data also provides an
overview of changes over time.
Comparison of available financial resources at the national level with funding needs leads to
an estimate of the funding gap observed for the Optimal and Ideal scenarios.

1.2 Main conclusions

Mediterranean MPAs are underfunded, resulting in ineffective management

The Mediterranean MPAs studied in this survey show an average level of available
2
finances of €18,500 per km , human resources being the main cost item. This is high
2
compared with other regions, for instance the LAC region invests €171 per km per year on
average in terrestrial and aquatic areas. Hence, available resources are more than ten times
higher than in other parts of the world.
But this comparison hides large underfunding in Mediterranean MPAs. Official data from 14
countries studied shows that total available resources for MPA systems in the region of
nearly €54.5M per year. This should be compared with the financing needs for effective
management of MPAs. Estimates for such needs for national MPAs systems, aggregated for

May 2015 – Vertigo Lab, for MedPAN, RAC/SPA and WWF Med. Page 12