Safeguarding Marine Protected Areas in the growing Mediterranean Blue Economy: Recommendations for aquaculture

Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) are a key tool for conservation. As the aquaculture sector continues to grow, it has a pressing need for more space for development. Given that good water quality is a prerequisite for aquaculture operations, many MPAs potentially represent appealing new sites. However, the environmental impact of aquaculture is hotly debated, and the growth of the sector, especially in coastal and marine environments, is not without controversy. This report provides a brief but practical reference guide to current thinking on the subject for public authorities, MPA managers and the aquaculture producer sector.