Networking for Europe’s nature
MARINE AND COASTAL PROTECTED AREAS WORKING GROUP France © Elodie Maison
EUROSITE: A NETWORK FOR EUROPE’S SITE MANAGERS
Eurosite works to facilitate, support, inspire and unite its members in the common goal of caring for Europe’s nature. One of Eurosite’s main missions is to share ideas and good practice on subjects that are of interest to its members.
ADVANCING MARINE AND COASTAL PROTECTION
Europe has the largest maritime territory in the world, with a coastline of more than 60,000 km. Coastal and marine habitats contain more biological diversity than terrestrial ecosystems and contribute to economic prosperity through a wide range of ecosystem services. Our marine and coastal ecosystems are under severe pressure though.
INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN COMMITMENTS
As a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the European Union is
Eurosite’s mission is to provide opportunities for practitioners to network and exchange experience on practical nature management. commited to conserve 10% of marine and coastal areas of particular importance for biodiversity or ecosystem services by 2020. To achieve this objective it is important to create a dynamic policy, to better involve stakeholders in the governance of marine protected areas, and to facilitate the exchange of technical experience. To make this happen, it is important to boost transboundary cooperation to ensure a coordinated implementation of the EU
Norway © Saxifraga-Marjan van der Heide
Scottish reef community © Ben James-Scottish Natural Heritage
Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Regional Sea Conventions. Eurosite enables such cooperation through facilitating networking between managers of marine protected areas from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
EUROSITE WORKING GROUP CONTRIBUTION
The Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Working Group has set its priorities in relation to the EU Nature Directives and the EU Marine Strategy Framework “Exchange of experience among managers of marine protected areas will strengthen their technical skills and enable a closer European cooperation on Natura 2000 issues.” Phénia Marras - Aït Razouk Eurosite Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Working Group Chair
Directive, and based on improving site management and current threats to marine and coastal ecosystems. The main goals of the Eurosite Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Working Group are to: • improve the condition of Natura 2000 coastal and marine areas by bringing together organisations working on practical management; • increase information exchange on lessons learned and innovative solutions between the European Commission, Eurosite members and other organisations. Formed in 2016, the Marine and Coastal Protected Areas Working Group meets regularly throughout the year and organises annual demand-driven workshops on relevant topics.
“Through disseminating good practices of governance and conservation of protected areas in Europe, Eurosite encourages stakeholders to create dynamic networking and to improve the effectiveness of protected areas management, to build a coherent and efficient European protected areas network.” Christophe Lefebvre Eurosite Member Agence des Aires Marines Protégées
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Eurosite membership is ideal for individuals and organisations working to conserve Europe’s nature, and wanting to: • optimise their site management practices and achieve their nature conservation goals; • share information and experiences in order to learn from each other; • understand EU policies impacting on nature and their work; and • network with other members leading to financial and environmental gains.
Interested in becoming a Eurosite member or want to find out more? Don’t hesitate and visit our website or contact us directly. info@eurosite.org I +31 (+)13 5944 400 I www.eurosite.org
The Netherlands © Saxifraga-Jan van der Straaten This leaflet is financially supported by the European Union. The sole responsibility lies with the author - the Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.