CIM takes part in a project to boost the resilience of Mediterranean coastal zones to climate change

The Centre for Marine Research (CIM), a member of the CIGUS Network, an initiative launched by the regional government (Xunta de Galicia) that groups together centres of accredited scientific excellence, is participating in an Interreg Mediterranean Space project. The initiative, led by researcher Elena Ojea, seeks to drive resilience, environmental health and the sustainable use of marine resources in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across this geographical region.

The MPA4Change project is coordinated by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and includes the participation of CIM at the University of Vigo, together with a further nine beneficiary entities and 17 associated entities from 12 countries. These range from Sweden, the UK and Germany to Tunisia, Morocco, Malta, and Croatia, forming an international network working side-by-side to protect the environment.

Mediterranean marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them are being impacted by rising water temperatures, heat waves, rising sea levels, as well as the acidification and deoxygenation of the oceans. Additionally, overfishing, habitat loss and pollution are altering the structure and functioning of marine habitats, where dwindling biodiversity affects the services associated with the quality of these ecosystems, such as fishing and coastal protection. Within this context, MPA4Change is seeking to develop an action plan for Mediterranean MPAs that will guarantee their long-term sustainability. It also aims to transfer lessons learned from previous MPA projects in the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, hence the inclusion of the Atlantic Islands National Park in the project.

The ultimate goal is to boost the capacity to adapt to climate change by improving the efficiency and restoration of the MPAs, improving stakeholder coordination and cooperation, and strengthening awareness and the environmental culture regarding climate change.