COMMON (COastal Management and MOnitoring Network) is a project funded by the programme ENI CBC MED. Capitalising on the outcomes and findings of the Plastic Busters MPAs project and extending them to South Mediterranean countries, its aim is to tackle marine litter in the Mediterranean Sea by applying the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), a dynamic process of management and sustainable use of coastal zone. Its approach takes into account the fragilities of the ecosystems and of coastal landscapes and the different uses and activities which impacts on marine and terrestrial elements.

 

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT CONSIST IN?

The COMMON project sets out to apply Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) principles to the challenge of marine litter, thus improving knowledge of the phenomenon, and enhancing the environmental performance of 5 pilot coastal areas:

  • Tuscan Maremma (Italy)
  • Salento (Italy)
  • Kuriat Island (Tunisia)
  • Monastir (Tunisia)
  • Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (Lebanon)

These pilot areas represent a real laboratory where identify strategies to reduce the problem of waste in the marine and coastal environment. Fishermen, Turtle Rescue Centres, local bodies, sea operators, tourism, and researchers will take actions to raise awareness for citizens and schools. The idea is to work on a management plan and to propose it to the other countries as a replicable model across all the Mediterranean basin.

EXPECTED RESULTS/OBJECTIVES

COMMON’s expected results are:

  • 10 studies on linkages between marine litter issue and land-based human activities;
  • 1 ICT platform for sharing methodologies and data on marine litter;
  • 250 people trained on marine litter management;
  • 30 municipalities involved in a network of coastal cities against marine litter;
  • 4 reports containing policy recommendations and best practices for improving the management of marine litter and governance issues;
  • 50 civil society organisations participating in beach cleanup campaigns.

PARTNERSHIP

COMMON is being implemented by a consortium of 7 partners.

Project’s website: https://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/common