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IN
FIGURES

■ Over 130 public debates held since 2022,
■ two-thirds of the projects were
completely restructured following
consultation

SESSION 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Long-term initiatives as part of the RAMOGE
Agreement
“The most important thing is that stakeholders
know each other”, commented Florent Champion
as he presented the activities undertaken since
1976 as part of RAMOGE, the Mediterranean
agreement that covers an area from Marseille
to La Spezia. These include integrated coastal
management, scientific studies of marine species,
deep-sea explorations, anti-pollution activities,
particularly after the Haven oil spill, and educational
campaigns. The overriding aim is to alleviate the
pressures on marine ecosystems and address the
consequences of climate change.

The only cross-border MPA established to
protect marine mammals in the Mediterranean
Viola Cattani, Deputy Executive Secretary of the
Pelagos Agreement, spoke about the dangers
facing the Pelagos Sanctuary (87,500 square
kilometers) and the 9 marine mammal species
it is home to. The area is bordered by over 2,000
kilometers of coastline and is under intense human
pressure. The main goal of the agreement is to
strengthen multilateral cooperation between the
three signatory states (France, Italy and Monaco) in
order to provide the effective protection of marine
mammals and their habitats from the direct and
indirect consequences of human activities.

A Foundation committed to marine conservation
“The role of the Pelagos Initiative, which we
launched in 2021 with WWF, IUCN and MedPAN, is
to support joint conservation projects undertaken in
the three signatory states of the Pelagos Agreement
as part of its management plans”, explained
Philippe Mondielli, Scientific Director at the Prince
Albert II of Monaco Foundation. He also stressed
the importance of coordinating efforts between
Mediterranean stakeholders.

One of the winners of the “Man and the Sea” photo competition
organised by Ramoge. © Stoicescu Loana - Cannes