Threats

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The Mediterranean Seas resources are under pressure from a variety of threats. Amongst them are overfishing, drift netting, aquaculture, alien species, pollution, drilling for oil and gas, dredging, commercial shipping, climate change, tourism and population increases.

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Fisheries

The state of fish stocks in the Mediterranean region is alarming. There are clear indications that catch size and quality has declined, often dramatically. In many areas larger and longer-lived species have disappeared in commercial catches.

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Aquaculture

Aquaculture is expanding rapidly - often without proper environmental assessment - currently accounting for 30 percent of the fish protein consumed worldwide.

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Pollution and Tourism

The Mediterranean sea is one of the most heavily polluted, semi-enclosed basins in the world. Thousands of tonnes of toxic waste are pumped directly into the sea by industry. Other threatening factors include shipping, urban and agricultural pollution and the effects of tourism.

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Global warming and introduced species

Other serious threats to life in the Mediterranean include global warming the introduction of alien species, both accidental and intentional.