The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation with the support of ETC-UMA in the framework of the Blue Tourism Initiative, has released a comprehensive report entitled “Mapping the Impact of Blue Tourism in the Mediterranean: Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems.” This groundbreaking report reveals how tourism is affecting the Mediterranean’s coastal and marine ecosystems and provides actionable recommendations to promote sustainable blue tourism practices.
The spatial assessment identifies highly vulnerable regions in the Mediterranean, focusing on cumulative tourism pressures and the lack of protected ecologically sensitive areas. Regions such as Cádiz and Malaga in Spain, Antalya and Hatay in Türkiye, Girona and Menorca, Annaba Province in Algeria, and Trieste Province in Italy face high tourism pressures and low protection levels. Even regions with relatively high protection levels still experience significant tourism pressures, while Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries with low protection levels are extremely vulnerable.
Among its key findings and highlights, we can find the threats to Posidonia oceanica, a unique Mediterranean seagrass, which is under significant threat from leisure boat anchoring. This vital habitat, covering approximately 19,482 square kilometers, provides essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and habitat provision. The report highlights the pressures from harmful fishing practices and anchoring, especially near major tourist centers. The analysis shows a seasonal increase in leisure boat traffic, with a notable rise in the post-pandemic period.
The report also addresses the threat of vessel collisions with whales in the Northwest Mediterranean. This area is critical for fin whales, hosting up to 70% of the Mediterranean population and significant feeding grounds. It also supports around 50% of the Mediterranean sperm whale population during the summer. The heavy maritime traffic, including goods shipping, passenger transport, and cruise tourism, significantly increases the risk of ship strikes.
The key recommendations emerging from this report are the following:
- We need more detailed information on local tourism activities to overcome data gaps
- Limited data in non-EU countries affects pressure assessments
- Increasing protected areas and establishing effective management measures in non-EU regions is needed
- Implement Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) to balance environmental, economic, and social goals.
- Adopt best practices like improved anchoring techniques, eco-mooring systems, and better tourism management strategies
- Support Mediterranean networks and conservation programs focused on species and habitat protection
The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, ETC-UMA, and partners call for collaborative efforts to protect the Mediterranean’s precious biodiversity. By adopting sustainable tourism practices and enhancing protection measures, we can ensure the health and resilience of our coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations.
Discover the full report and explore the detailed findings and recommendations to contribute to a sustainable Mediterranean future.
