BOOK Launch: ‘Legal Aspects of Marine Areas in the Mediterranean Sea’

The book focuses on cross-border tools for conserving marine areas, emphasizing the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It addresses challenges, proposes solutions for macro-regional protection, and encourages a coordinated network of cross-border marine protected areas, considering international shipping interests. The book is a practical tool for those involved in marine protection and offers legal insights for EU member states, candidates, and the broader international community, serving as a resource for understanding international and EU law. It is also designed to contribute to the EU's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. The book addresses challenges and offers some suggestions for solutions to protect marine spaces at macro-regional level (EUSAIR) and promotes the establishment of a coordinated network of transboundary MPAs, taking into account the interests of international navigation.

Mitja Grbec, the book's co-editor, emphasizes its significance as the first international legal analysis addressing legal foundations for marine protected areas in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region. The analysis aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy's goals, including legal protection of marine waters and effective management of protected areas. Mitja Bricelj highlights the book's role in overcoming the status quo for responsible coastal and marine resource management in the Adriatic eco-region, crucial for regional security.

The book presentation coincided with the 23rd session of the Barcelona Convention (COP 23), where Slovenia has assumed the presidency and will host the meeting in early December, showcasing collaboration among experts from Slovenia, Italy, and the region to achieve biodiversity conservation goal.

Read the full story here (in Slovenian).