2024 – 2025 MedPAN – The Mediterranean Protected Areas Network
The NURS-MED project was launched with the goal of strengthening the protection of marine habitats through improved understanding and monitoring of fish nursery habitats — key areas for the recovery of fish populations. Through collaboration within a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Montenegro, Croatia, and France, the project enables the collection of valuable data, exchange of monitoring tools, and development of a shared approach to marine ecosystem conservation.
The project is implemented by CDE in partnership with Septentrion Environnement from France, Sunce from Croatia, and the Mediterranean Center for Environmental Monitoring – MedCEM from Montenegro.
Detailed mapping of fish nursery habitats will serve as a key criterion for more precise protection zoning, as well as for the development of guidelines that will contribute to improved management of existing and future MPAs. In this way, the project will support decision-making related to the designation of new protected areas and contribute to the more effective conservation of existing ones, while also providing training and capacity building for MPA managers to ensure long-term monitoring of these essential habitats.
With the aim of exchanging experiences and developing a shared methodology, the project brings together four MPAs from three different countries:
- Montenegro – Katič MPA
- Croatia – Marine Natura 2000 area Pakleni otoci
- France – Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue (PMCB) i Nacionalni park Calanques (PNCal)
Expected project results:
Development of a detailed map of key fish nursery habitats for each protected area, in the form of a GIS database that will support managers in identifying priority zones for enhanced protection.
Based on the GIS database, a quantitative analysis will be conducted to assess the availability of nursery habitats and their current protection status, accompanied by management recommendations. This report will assist decision-makers in planning new protected zones or strengthening protection measures within existing ones.
Establishment of a joint monitoring protocol for nursery habitats to be used by all participating MPAs.
Organization of a joint hands-on workshop for MPA managers. During this workshop, participants — managers and partners from all MPAs — will gain the knowledge and skills needed to implement the monitoring protocol and ensure its long-term application.
- Since this protocol is already in use in other MPAs across the Mediterranean, the project contributes to the development of a unified long-term approach at the regional level.
- In addition to protected area managers, the project includes awareness-raising activities that will benefit other decision-makers, students, pupils, citizens, and key stakeholder groups.
