Marine areas and research-based policies
The key to solving environmental problems on southern European coasts lies with a research governance framework that engages scientists, policymakers and the public. The PERSEUS (Policy-oriented marine environmental research in the southern European seas) project developed such a scheme, which resulted in a shared understanding and science-based decisions in line with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Specifically, the project advanced new tools to evaluate current environmental status, and upgraded and extended existing observational systems. An innovative, small research vessel that served as a scientific survey tool was also developed. A comprehensive inventory of ocean observing systems of southern European seas, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, with quantitative conclusions on observational gaps and needs, was completed. Activities also focused on tools for the evaluation of ecosystem properties across the southern European seas. In addition, modelling tools for the identification of tuna spawning areas and jellyfish dynamics were investigated. PERSEUS partners worked on the future implementation of adaptive policies and management schemes, in line with the MSFD. Research was conducted on the adaptive policy framework (APF), with its interacting components, an APF toolbox and the stakeholder platforms. The project organised a summer school and an extra training course for organisations of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries as well as training visits. Project results will undoubtedly empower stakeholders to make more informed and more effective decisions. Results will also promote coherency in environmental status assessments under the MSFD and the regional sea conventions.
Keywords
Marine, coastal areas, PERSEUS, southern European seas, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea
