Keynote Speakers

Session 1: Marine Conservation

Prof Drosos Koutsoubas, University of Aegean

Session 2: Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean

Mr Khalil Attia, Director of the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) of the UN Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP)

Title: The Barcelona Convention efforts to boost the management and conservation of marine and coastal protected areas in the Mediterranean

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Session 3: Fisheries and Aquaculture

Prof Athanassios Tsikliras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Title: Assessing the status of data-poor Mediterranean stocks

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Session 4: Oceanography: from measurements to models

Dr Anneta Mantziafou, Research Associate, Environmental Physics Department, University of Athens, Greece

Title: Oceanography: from measurements to models.

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Session 5: Climate change impacts

Prof Gil Rilov, National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research (IOLR)

Title: Alien macrophytes can offset the loss of reef ecosystem functions and Blue Carbon caused by ocean warming and invasive fish overgrazing

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Session 1: Marine Conservation

Prof Drosos Koutsoubas, University of Aegean

Title: State, Threats and Actions for Biological Conservation in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract:

The state of different species (e.g. Pinna nobilis, Lithophaga lithophaga, Corallium rubrum, Caretta caretta, Monachus monachus), and habitat types (e.g. Posidonia meadows, Reefs, Marine Caves), in the Mediterranean, and the threats they are facing (e.g. habitat loss and degradation, pollution, over-fishing, climate change, invasion, tourism) are presented In the Conference talk. Scientific priorities and Integrated actions needed towards achieving the ambition to reverse biodiversity loss in the Mediterranean, as this has been set according to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, will be also presented in this contribution.

Bio:

DROSOS KOUTSOUBAS is a Professor of Marine Biology and Head of the Department of Marine Sciences (2013-2017, 2020-today) of the University of the Aegean (http://www.mar.aegean.gr). As a Research Associate of the Institute of Marine Biology of Crete (presently Hellenic Center for Marine Research) (1994-2000), and during his work in the Dept. of Marine Sciences (2000-today), as well as the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (2010-2022), he has participated in several EU and National funded Research Projects such as MAST & MTP, FAIR, LIFE-NATURE, CFP-STUDIES , INTERREG III, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th EU FP, ERA-NET Seas-Eras, INTERREG Med and EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND – ERDF. His research interests include Marine Biodiversity, Wetlands Ecology and Management, Conservation and Coastal Zone Management with emphasis in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Aquaculture and Marine Environment Interactions, Pollution and Impact Assessment Studies in Coastal and Transitional Water Ecosystems and Invertebrate Fisheries Biology and Management in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean and he has more than 250 scientific publications (> 100 in Peer Review Scientific Journals and Books). His educational activities in the Dept. of Marine Sciences include teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate level in the fields of Marine Biology, Marine Ecology and Marine Biodiversity, while he has been the supervisor in 8 PhD in these research fields. He has been the Director of the Management Body of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (http://www.nmp-zak.org) (2010-2022), and he is a member of the Scientific Committee of the MedPAN Association of the Mediterranean MPAs (www.medpan.org) as a national delegate (2011 onwards.

Session 2: Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean

Mr. Khalil ATTIA, Director of the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) of the UN Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP)

Title: The Barcelona Convention efforts to boost the management and conservation of marine and coastal protected areas in the Mediterranean

Abstract:

The Mediterranean Sea is the world largest semi-enclosed sea. It is considered a biodiversity hotspot, representing just 0.3% of the global ocean volume while hosting 4 to 18 % of identified global marine species. As a semi-enclosed sea, the Mediterranean is more susceptible to human impacts than more open waters and is one of the world’s biomes that shows strong negative responses to land use and climate change pressures.

The UN Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) – Barcelona Convention system is a comprehensive institutional, legal and implementation framework that the Contracting Parties have adopted for concerted action to fulfil the vision of a healthy Mediterranean Sea and Coast that underpin sustainable development in the region.

The Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) was established by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in order to assist the Mediterranean countries in implementing the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA/BD Protocol) of the Barcelona Convention. SPA/RAC’s main objective is to contribute to the protection, preservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal biological diversity in the Mediterranean and, in particular, the creation and effective management of marine and coastal areas of particular natural and cultural value and the conservation of threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. Read More

Many strategies and action plans were adopted in the framework of the SPA/BD Protocol. These could be of strategic and long-term order, like the “Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region” (Post-2020 SAPBIO); or of more specific order like the “Post-2020 Regional Strategy for marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) in the Mediterranean”, the Action Plans and Strategy for the conservation of endangered species (Mediterranean Monk Seal, Marine Turtles, Cetaceans, Cartilaginous Fishes, and Marine and Coastal Birds), the Action Plans for the conservation of key habitats (Marine Vegetation, Coralligenous, and Dark Habitats), and the Action Plan concerning Species Introductions and Invasive Species in the Mediterranean.

There are currently 1,087 officially designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Sea covering 209 303 km² (8.3%). Although good progress has been made, with some countries exceeding, meeting, or very close to the 10% by 2020 (Aichi Target 11), the region as a whole fell short. There is a large disparity in MCPA coverage between countries, with the majority of MCPAs occurring in the western Mediterranean Sea and 90.05% occurring in in the northern part of the Mediterranean.

In addition to coverage, previous and current targets (Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework) for protected areas stipulate that systems of protected areas and OECMs must be effectively managed. The surveys and country assessments revealed a number of cross-cutting barriers to the effective management of MCPAs (Lack of political will and support, Insufficient financing, Inadequate human resources, Lack of sectoral and stakeholder involvement, Cooperation and support, Insufficient knowledge, Lack of management plans, Inadequate surveillance and enforcement, Insufficient monitoring and evaluation). Ensuring political will and support for the establishment and management of MCPAs and OECMs is one of the most crucial elements to overcome the remaining barriers in order to meet 2030 targets for MCPAs and OECMs in the region.

To overcome these gaps, the Post-2020 Regional Strategy for MCPAs and OECMs in the Mediterranean has identified five main strategic pillars necessary to achieve the post-2020 target for Mediterranean MCPAs and OECMs. These are: Governance, MCPA network expansion, OECMs, MCPA management effectiveness, and Government and stakeholder action and support. Under each pillar a clear strategic outcome, with corresponding outputs and proposed key actions at both Contracting Party, and regional and international organization levels, has been identified.

This Post-2020 MCPA and OECM Strategy should be used as a tool to harmonize efforts to meet 2030 targets for MCPAs and OECMs in the Mediterranean and to promote joint activities by Contracting Parties, SPA/RAC, and other regional and international organizations and programmes. As such, the implementation of this strategy should be a co-operative process and its successful implementation will depend on the effective participation and collaboration of local, national, sub-regional, and regional stakeholders, encompassing inter-governmental agencies, local communities, civil society, the private sector, the research/academic community, MPA networks, and relevant regional and international organizations.

Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA)

Bio:

Mr Khalil ATTIA is, since two years, the Director of UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC (the Regional Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Protected Areas under Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean sea and its coastal areas).

Before that, he had a quite long career in the different fields of the environment Protection and management. He had occupied many high level positions in the Ministry of the Environment of Tunisia and chaired many Tunisian National Environmental Institutions. Indeed, he was Director General of the Environment and Quality of Life in the Ministry of Environment, CEO of Tunis International Centre for Environmental Technologies, CEO of the National Agency for Environmental Protection and CEO of the National Sanitation Utility.

Mr Khalil ATTIA has an Engineering background. After obtaining his Baccalaureate Diploma, he went to the National School of Engineering of Tunis where he had his Engineering Degree in Hydraulics (June 1982). Then, he was selected among the candidates to continue the Post Graduate Studies in the North American Universities, where he obtained his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison-USA in Civil and Environmental Engineering (November 1984).

Session 3: Fisheries and Aquaculture

Prof Athanassios Tsikliras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Title: Assessing the status of data-poor Mediterranean stocks

Abstract:

The Mediterranean Sea has a long history of fisheries exploitation and an equally long scientific tradition and knowledge that dates back to Aristotle. Today, however, the Mediterranean Sea is among the data-poor marine areas of the world in terms of scientific surveys and monitoring of marine populations and fishing fleets. As a result of data deficiencies, the status of fish and invertebrate stocks is poorly known with stock assessments only available for the northern Mediterranean coastline focusing on a few stocks of high commercial value. The recent development of data-poor stock assessment methods allows the evaluation of stock status based on their catch (CMSY), abundance (AMSY) or length-frequency distributions (LBB) and some knowledge on stock dynamics (resilience). Applying these novel methods on around 400 Mediterranean fish and invertebrate stocks showed that the vast majority of the primarily targeted stocks are in bad status and are subject to overexploitation. This condition also holds for most secondary targets and by-catch stocks indicating the wide effects of fishing on ecosystems. The condition of stocks is very similar between the northern and the southern Mediterranean fisheries that have very different characteristics in terms of fleet numbers, scale of activity and technological level but also in terms of fisheries management and law enforcement. Apart from improving management practices at a country level, an ecocentric approach to fisheries management, which would incorporate the ecosystem effects of fishing and climate change, is required to rebuild fish stocks and improve ecosystem health and resilience.

Bio:

Athanassios Tsikliras teaches undergraduate zoology and fish biology courses and coordinates the postgraduate course on Fisheries Biology and Management. He has worked for the Fisheries Research Institute of Kavala (1999-2002), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2003-2008), University of Thessaly (2009-2012) and since 2013 he serves as a full-time faculty member at the School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. His research focuses on fish biology and fisheries, stock assessment and management of Mediterranean fisheries, the effect of climate on marine populations, ecosystem modeling and ecocentric fisheries management. He serves as a member of the editorial board/associate editor in 8 journals and as vice-chair of the Sea Around Us Advisory board. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and 190 other items.

Session 4: Oceanography: from measurements to models

Dr Anneta Mantziafou, Research Associate, Environmental Physics Department, University of Athens, Greece

Title: Oceanography: from measurements to models.

Abstract:

How does the ocean affect climate? Why is it important to continually monitor and model the ocean? Latest ocean monitoring instruments of physical parameters are described, with measurement examples from coastal to global ocean. Ocean circulation models and relative forecasting system procedures that provide valuable information of the ocean state are presented. Their essential role in the operational oceanography systems is documented. Focus is also given on the UN and EU initiatives and scientific challenges for the decade (2021-2030) towards a restored and sustainable ocean.

Bio:

B.Sc Degree (1994) in Physics, M.Sc. (1997) and PhD (2005) in Physical Oceanography from the Physics Faculty of the University of Athens (UoA), Greece. Senior researcher in “Ocean Physics and Modelling Group” (2006-2019). She is currently working, as a Research Associate and Laboratory Teaching Stuff at the Environmental Physics Department of the UoA. She has over 50 peer reviewed publications in journals, books, and international conference proceedings. She participated in 13 research projects funded by EU, UN, and National Funds as well as in numerous conferences, meetings and workshops. Her research focal points include numerical modelling of semi-enclosed basins with emphasis on water-mass formation processes, mesoscale dynamics and air-sea interaction, operational oceanography with emphasis on numerical methods, forecasting systems and ocean forecasting validation techniques. Her teaching experience includes participation in 2 modules of the Graduate Programs “Oceanography and Marine Management”, and “Environmental Physics” (UoA), in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students’ dissertations, as well as various laboratory courses at the Undergraduate Physics program (Mechanics, Atmospheric Physics, Optics and Waves, Thermodynamics, Informatics).

Session 5: Climate change impacts

Prof Gil Rilov, National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research (IOLR)

Title: Alien macrophytes can offset the loss of reef ecosystem functions and Blue Carbon caused by ocean warming and invasive fish overgrazing

Abstract:

Climate change and bioinvasions are causing major shifts in coastal ecosystem biodiversity that can potentially dramatically alter their functions and services. In ocean-warming hotspots, the replacement of ecologically important, thermally sensitive, native species by thermophilic non-indigenous species, could lead to shifts in ecosystem functions and services or even functional loss. However, thermophilic invaders with traits similar to those of the dwindling thermally-sensitive natives, might partially or fully offset that loss. Such potential offset has rarely been investigated. The southeastern Mediterranean Sea is the perfect ‘natural lab’ to test this hypothesis. This region is the hottest and fastest-warming part of the Mediterranean Sea as well as a hotspot for bioinvasions of mostly thermophilic species. Shallow reefs in this region have been strongly impacted by invasive rabbitfish that can turn lush macroalgal communities to turf barrens. Despite this, our surveys show that today many alien seaweeds dominate large reefs areas. To understand how these biodiversity shifts translate to shifts in ecosystem functioning and services, we tested: (1) The thermal vulnerability of several ecologically-important native and invasive seaweeds; (2) Their cover and biomass seasonality; (3) The metabolic rates and inorganic carbon uptake of one native and two alien seaweed using lab and field incubations. We found that: (a) The native species had a lower optimal temperature for gross primary production than the aliens; (b) The cover, biomass and associated diversity of the native seaweed peaked in late winter-spring while they were high year-round in the aliens; (c) The inorganic carbon uptake at peak growth of the three species was similar. We conclude that the current annual carbon sequestration potential is higher for the alien seaweeds than the native species, suggesting that the future Blue Carbon potential of these reefs will be maintained by the alien species, despite the likely loss of important natives.

Bio:

Prof. Gil Rilov is the head of the Marine Community Ecology Lab at the National Institute, Oceanography of Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), and is a faculty member in the Marine Biology Department, Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa. He has been studying the ecology of coastal communities (coral reefs, rocky shores, deep reefs and seagrass) for the past 30 years in many biogeographic regions (Mediterranean, Red Sea, Pacific and Atlantic and Caribbean coasts). His lab runs the national monitoring program on Mediterranean rocky reef biodiversity, and investigates the ecology and biodiversity of coastal communities, and the effects of bioinvasions, climate change (warming, acidification, sea level rise and extreme events) and marine protected areas on these communities and their functions using state-of-the-art methodologies (e.g. mesocosms). Recently, he is involved in efforts to develop Nature Based Solutions under shifting ecosystems and harnessing the power of the public through citizen science. He was a PI in several EU projects (currently FutureMARES) as well as in many national binational projects with German and USA partners. Rilov has over 100 publications in scientific journals, he edited the Springer book on Biological Invasions in Marine Ecosystems and was a lead author of a section in the MedECC First Mediterranean Assessment Report.