- This initiative, which is being developed in Spain and Italy, is coordinated by Federparchi (EUROPARC Italy), and has among its partners the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Triton Research and LIPU (BirdLife Italy)
- Until 2025, a programme of communication and awareness-raising actions will be carried out on the importance of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as the promotion of good practices and sustainable behaviours for their conservation
February 21, 2023- The LIFE A-MAR Natura 2000 project, which has among its partners the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, starts with the aim of promoting the conservation of the Mediterranean marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network in Italy and Spain thanks to the improvement of knowledge and the participation of the agents involved. as well as sea users linked to sectors such as tourism, fishing or nautical recreational activities. Thirty years after its creation, the Natura 2000 Network is still little known, according to the 2019 Eurobarometer. Despite the fact that in Spain there are 272 areas protected by this network, 288 in the case of Italy, only 6% of Spaniards and 9% of Italians have heard of the Natura 2000 Network and know what it is. However, tourists, sailors, divers or fishermen frequent and enjoy these areas without knowing it, so awareness is not generated for their protection. For this reason, the LIFE A-MAR Natura 2000 project will promote until 2025 a programme of actions to try to raise awareness and sensitize sea users about the existence and importance, as well as environmental values and benefits, of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network. In addition, replicable good practices and sustainable behaviours in the management of these marine spaces will be disseminated. To achieve this, different actions are planned, including a navigation campaign through more than 30 marine areas of the Mediterranean to make them known, guided tours by local experts and the scientific community or the development of an app that collects images and data about these spaces and integrates citizen science tools to promote social participation. In addition, two documentaries will be produced on the Natura 2000 Network, its values and benefits, and training sessions and workshops will be held to exchange experiences. The LIFE A-MAR Natura 2000 project will also promote the transfer of results and their replication in four other Mediterranean countries: France, Greece, Malta and Albania.
THE PROJECT
LIFE A-MAR Natura 2000 aims to increase knowledge and awareness of good conservation practices in the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network through a more sustainable management of human activities and the participation of those who benefit from the ecosystem services of these environments. Until 2025, the project will carry out communication and information actions relating, mainly, to the Natura 2000 marine areas of the Mediterranean, in Italy and Spain, and will involve all users of the sea, including fishermen, divers or sailors, among others. The project is coordinated by Federparchi – Federazione Italiana Parchi e Riserve Naturali – Europarc Italia. It has as partners the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Triton Research and the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU). In addition, the Asinara National Park, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and the Cinque Terre National Park participate as co-financiers. This project is supported by the European Union’s LIFE programme.
