Marine Experts Gather to Strengthen Protection for Mediterranean Whale Migration Corridor
On 14 March 2025, OceanCare participated in a workshop focused on discussing the governance of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor MPA/SPAMI. The event, organised by the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO), brought together experts to shape the future management of this vital marine protected area.
This workshop is part of the participatory process undertaken by MITECO to gather opinions for the elaboration of the Management Plan for this important marine corridor. This Management Plan must necessarily include truly effective protection measures to prevent the death of whales due to collisions with ships, such as the establishment of speed limits by type of ship, which must be mandatory.
Critical Marine Habitat Under Threat
The Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor gained protected status as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2018 and was further designated as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) in 2019. This area serves as crucial habitat for endangered species including fin and sperm whales.
However, intense maritime traffic poses significant threats to these marine mammals. Ship strikes are currently the leading cause of human-induced whale deaths in the protected area, while underwater noise pollution from vessels creates additional stress on marine life.
Developing Effective Governance
The workshop aimed to establish a collaborative approach to the corridor’s management, with participants analyzing proposals for improved governance structures and identifying necessary resources and participation levels.
Whale conservation expert Erich Hoyt, Research Fellow at Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Co-Chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, presented on successful governance approaches for marine protected areas.
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Hoyt outlined nine characteristics of effective governance and advocated for a three-body management structure consisting of:
- A Management Body
- A Stakeholder Advisory Body
- A Scientific Advisory Body
He emphasized the critical role of scientific guidance in ensuring the protected area’s success and recommended that several members of the Scientific Advisory Body should serve in full standing (not just as observers or token representatives) on the overall Management Body. This approach would ensure interests are represented democratically in a way conducive to reaching agreement on many issues. The same principle would apply to the Stakeholder Advisory Body.
Hoyt also stressed the importance of regular review of the Management Plan every 4-5 years and securing adequate funding to prevent the protected area from becoming ineffective.
Background
- OceanCare Report (English): Quiet Waters for Whales and Dolphins. The one-time opportunity to avoid, reduce and mitigate noise-generating activities in the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor (2021)
- OceanCare Report (Spanish): Aguas silenciosas para ballenas y delfines. La oportunidad única de evitar, reducir y mitigar las actividades generadoras de ruido submarino en el Corredor de Migración de Cetáceos del Mediterráneo (2021)
