MARISCA stands for “MARIne Spatial Conservation planning in the Aegean sea” and is a project co-funded in 85% by the European Environmental Area Financial Mechanism, (EEA FM 2009-2014), and 15% by the Public Investments Programme (PIP) under the theme «Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management», “Increased knowledge concerning the integrated marine and islands policy or the protection/ management of coastal areas”.

The duration of the project is 13 months 01/12/2015 – 31/12/2016 and the level of funding amounts to EUR 390.000.

What

The project aims to contribute towards the protection and conservation of biodiversity in the context of an integrated Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the Aegean Sea. A network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and protection zones will be proposed for the conservation of all important and vulnerable habitats and species, as defined by national and community legislation and international agreements.

Where

The study area covers the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Aegean Sea, Greece.

How

  • Mapping ecological features
  • Analyzing and mapping human activities and pressures and estimating cumulative impacts of human activities in areas of high interest and of existing spatial management measures
  • Valuating marine ecosystems in the framework of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
  • Collecting new data through field work
  • Defining operational objectives through stakeholder involvement
  • Designing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the context of an overall Marine Spatial Plan (MSP)