Mediterranean symposia on marine key habitats and non-indigenous species: a scientific gathering to share knowledge and foster marine biodiversity conservation

Scientists and researchers from all over the Mediterranean have gathered in Antalya from 14 to 18 January 2019 to exchange knowledge on marine biodiversity conservation and enhance cooperation to achieve the good environmental status of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) organized the Mediterranean symposia on marine key habitats and non-indigenous species, in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), as follows:

6^th Mediterranean symposium on marine vegetation (from 14 to 15 January 2018)
3^rd Mediterranean symposium on the conservation of coralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions (from 15 to 16 January 2018)
2^nd Mediterranean symposium on the conservation of the dark habitats (16 January 2018)
1^st Mediterranean symposium on the non-indigenous species (from 17 to 18 January 2018)

The symposia aim essentially at providing an opportunity to exchange the most recent scientific information on marine biodiversity conservation while promoting the cooperation between specialists working on the Mediterranean Sea.

Key note conferences, oral communications, poster sessions and round tables were organized to present the most recent studies dealing with marine key habitats and species introduction in the Mediterranean, and to discuss the best strategies of biodiversity conservation and restoration in the Mediterranean Sea.

“The symposia are also a good opportunity to discuss new topics such as the monitoring, the definition of Good Environmental Status in the Mediterranean and to strengthen links between scientists and scientific institutions”, says Khalil ATTIA, SPA/RAC Director.

Furthermore, a photographic exhibition was held at the conference venue. 26 panels were displayed, presenting marine landscapes made up of marine vegetation meadows, corals, dark habitats, as well as non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean Sea. The pictures were taken by Mathieu FOULQUIÉ and Renaud DUPUY DE LA GRANDRIVE, two naturalists, marine biologists, divers and photographers.

The Mediterranean symposia on marine key habitats and non-indigenous species held in Turkey were financed by the MAVA Foundation and the Mediterranean Trust Fund.

The proceedings of the four symposia are available at the following links:

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