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degree to which an area represents a habitat type, ecological process, biological
community, physiographic feature or other natural characteristic.
• Diversity. The area has a high diversity of species, communities, habitats or ecosystems.
• Naturalness. The area has a high degree of naturalness as a result of the lack or low level
of human-induced disturbance and degradation.
• Presence of habitats that are critical to endangered, threatened or endemic species (a list
of species formally declared endangered of threatened is included in Annex II to the
Protocol).
• Cultural representativeness. The area has a high representative value with respect to the
cultural heritage, due to the existence of environmentally sound traditional activities
integrated with nature which support the well-being of local populations.

Another general feature that an area having scientific, educational or aesthetic interest must
possess to be considered for inclusion in the SPAMI List is to “present a particular value for
research in the field of natural sciences or for activities of environmental education or awareness or
contain outstanding natural features, landscapes or seascapes.”

In addition to the fundamental criteria numbered above, the Annex lists a set of other
characteristics and factors of an area that should be considered as favourable for its inclusion in
the List:

• the existence of threats likely to impair the ecological, biological, aesthetic or cultural value
of the area;

• the involvement and active participation of the public in general, and particularly of local
communities, in the process of planning and management of the area;

• the existence of a body representing the public, professional, non-governmental sectors
and the scientific community involved in the area;

• the existence in the area of opportunities for sustainable development;
• the existence of an integrated coastal management plan within the meaning of Article 4

paragraph 3 (e) of the Convention.

C. The legal status requirements for areas to be eligible for inclusion in the SPAMI List include a
set of conditions that will guarantee the area’s effective long-term protection: i. that the area be
awarded formal legal status; ii. that the Party exercising sovereignty or jurisdiction over the zone
where the area is situated recognises the area’s protected status; and iii. if the area is “situated,
partly or wholly, on the high sea or in a zone where the limits of national sovereignty or jurisdiction
have not yet been defined, the legal status, the management plan, the applicable measures and
the other elements provided for in Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Protocol will be provided by the
neighbouring Parties concerned in the proposal for inclusion in the SPAMI List.”

D. The “Protection, planning and management measures” section of the Annex details post-
institutional features that any area must possess to be able to retain its status of SPAMI and to
continue to be included in the SPAMI List. These include: a clear definition of conservation and
management objectives; a detail of protection, planning and management measures that must
adequately address the conservation and management objectives and the existing threats, and be
based on adequate knowledge; should such knowledge be insufficient, scientific programmes
should be implemented; a clear definition of the administrative, implementation and enforcement
competences and responsibilities, including protection measures addressing aspects of pollution,
species introduction, and regulation of harmful human activities. This section further states a
number of institutional, operational and administrative requirements for areas to be included in the
SPAMI List, such as the existence of an adequately empowered management body, an
implemented management plan, and a functional monitoring programme.