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SUSTAINABLE FINANCING OF MPAs IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: A FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

1.3 Recommendation

Business planning cannot be performed without a management plan. The cost estimate
for effective management of an MPA assumes that the MPA has identified the activities
needed for implementation of this level of management. This assumes that the MPA has
developed its management plans and defined clear objectives and associated activities to be
implemented. Management planning is essential for assessing the financing gap at the local
level and is thus a precondition to ensuring the sustainability of the financial strategy.

Financial needs could be partly covered by local mechanisms, including local public
support. In addition, innovative financing mechanisms should be developed: entrance and
user fees, earmarking of charges collectable under the occupation of public land, etc.
The preference for project-based international financing may increase the vulnerability
of recipient countries in pursuing the recommendations derived from international financing
projects. In the absence of supplemental funding, national budgets have to take over from
international funding to maintain the progress achieved, in a context of budget restrictions
and financial crisis.
Regional cooperation should be strengthened to achieve more complementary and joint
management, optimising the consumption of resources.
Mediterranean countries should undertake studies on their needs for MPA system
management. National government budget decision-makers have no clear data on the
needs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of increasing MPA system investment. They should
also precisely identify associated activities to ensure that results can be compared across
countries and the accuracy of assessment at the Mediterranean level.
Comparison between MPAs in different countries is difficult given the wide diversity of MPA
models. Aggregated values at the regional level should thus be used with caution and
take account of national and MPA characteristics. However, analysis could be deepened at
the European level.
Assessment of Mediterranean MPA benefits should be pursued to justify investments.
The economic contribution of Marine Protected Areas is still both poorly documented and
poorly understood and, therefore, under-valued by decision makers. MPA management is
thus viewed as a cost, rather than as an investment.

1.4 Looking Ahead

As an initial attempt to quantify the financing gap for ideal management of the MPA network
in the Mediterranean, the results presented in this report should be considered as a baseline
for further analysis. This study may also serve as background for the development of
regional financing mechanisms such as trust funds for marine biodiversity conservation, or
blue carbon programs.
This evaluation should be backed on the local scale by sound financial strategy and
planning from managers in order to guarantee that financing gaps may be bridged in the
near future.

May 2015 – Vertigo Lab, for MedPAN, RAC/SPA and WWF Med. Page 15