Enjeux pour l'environnement marin en Méditerranée. Une approche possible : la directive cadre européenne stratégie pour le milieu marin, Challenges for the marine environment in the Mediterranean. A possible approach: the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The Mediterranean is a semi enclosed sea considered as a hot-spot for biodiversity. Its ecosystems are subjected to strong pressures due to human activities and climate change. An ecosystem approach is needed to address these challenges. The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) which aims to achieve good environmental status by 2015 is part of this logic. The MSFD concerns a wide range of descriptors including physical, chemical and biological parameters in order to assess the status and the various forcing exerted on ecosystems. In the Mediterranean Sea, an added challenge is to establish with non-European countries a shared view at the scale of eco-regions.