The document, produced within the context of the Pharos4MPAs project, aims to explore the ways Marine Protected Areas are affected by the cruise sector, and provides a set of practical recommendations on how to minimise its environmental impacts.
QUESTIONS THIS PRACTICE MAY HELP ANSWER:
- How do the cruise sector activities affect the MPAs?
- How can the impacts of cruise sector activities on the MPAs be prevented/avoided/reduced?
IMPLEMENTATION CONTEXT:
The report is developed within the context of the PHAROS4MPAs project. It explores the ways Mediterranean MPAs are affected by activities in the growing Blue Economy, and provides a set of practical recommendations for regional stakeholders on how to prevent and minimise the environmental impacts of the key maritime sectors.
ASPECTS / OBJECTIVES:
By bringing together different stakeholders and exploring the major issues experienced in the MPAs, PHAROS4MPAs´ goal is to provide examples of best practices and to facilitate information exchange among the MPAs affected by similar pressures. The aim of the project is to produce practical recommendations to address the potential negative interactions between the cruise sector and the MPAs.
METHOD:
The report is developed taking into consideration different roles, interests and attitudes of the MPA managers, public authorities and cruise sector.
MAIN OUTPUTS / RESULTS:
The cruise industry represents a fast-growing sector in the Mediterranean Sea, generating significant impacts on marine ecosystems. In some cases, the cruise ships are even allowed in the MPAs. The document provides an overview of environmental impacts made by the cruise sector on marine ecosystems (i.e. emissions, discharges, physical disturbance etc.), and presents a set of recommendations addressing the interactions between the actors of the cruise sector and the MPA managers.
TRANSFERABILITY:
While recommendations address the impacts of the cruise sector on the Mediterranean MPAs, the model and methodology could potentially be applied to other regions.
Responsible Entity:
Pharos4MPAs project.
Funding Source:
Interreg MED Programme 2014-2020
Contact person:
Project coordinator:
Catherine Piante
WWF-France
6 Rue de Fabres 13001 Marseille
E-mail: cpiante
wwf.fr
Ph.: +33 4 96116946