Improving the performance of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas

This project aims at improving the effectiveness of Mediterranean MPAs (conceiving MPAs as organizations). This overall goal will be achieved by 1) analyzing existing and new data, 2) carrying on an innovative ‘organizational analysis’ and 3) communicating MPA science. More in detail, a first phase will consist of collecting and analyzing the available data at Mediterranean scale on MPAs (existing data from publications and reports, and new data through fieldwork, especially at the MPAs where data are scanty or totally lacking) to make the point about their (mostly ecological) effectiveness. In a second phase, an ‘organizational analysis’ will be done on a number of MPAs to see which aspects of their management, governance and internal organization may affect their effectiveness.