Together for a thriving Mediterranean
The Med Sea Alliance seeks to restore the Mediterranean Sea by driving policy change to protect critical marine habitats, end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and reduce the impact of destructive fishing practices.
The Mediterranean Sea is a Biodiversity Hotspot
No Fish Without a Healthy Ocean
The Mediterranean Sea is a unique and vital marine ecosystem, often referred to as a biodiversity hotspot due to its rich marine life, with over 17,000 recorded species. As the world’s largest semi-enclosed sea, it serves as a bridge between three continents—Europe, Africa, and Asia—shaping cultures and economies for millennia.
However, its ecological health is under severe threat from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, making it one of the most overexploited seas in the world. Protecting this shared resource is essential for both the environment and the coastal communities that depend on it for their livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage.
0.32%
of the global ocean surface is covered by the Mediterranean Sea, yet it is a biodiversity hotspot with an exceptionally high concentration of marine life
>17,000
marine species—representing 4-18% of the global marine biodiversity—inhabit the Mediterranean Sea
20-30%
of marine species in the Mediterranean Sea are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world
Our Initiatives
Restoring the Mediterranean Sea
Med Sea Alliance members are working together to drive policy change and put an end to biodiversity loss, as well as illegal and destructive fishing at the local, national, and regional level.
"By joining the Med Sea Alliance, we amplify our voice alongside like-minded NGOs, advocating for stronger protections and better enforcement while developing solutions that balance conservation with sustainable livelihoods. Through science-based approaches, policy reforms, and community-driven initiatives, we can safeguard the Mediterranean Sea."
Mohamed Andaloussi
President of AZIR
Regional Compliance Mechanism
A robust compliance system ensures that binding regulations on fisheries management are properly implemented, creating a level playing field across the basin. Strengthening compliance is not just about regulations—it’s about accountability, equity, and ensuring that conservation efforts deliver measurable improvements for biodiversity, coastal communities, and the resilience of the Mediterranean Sea.
Our Impact
Expansion and Improvement of Marine Protected Areas
In Spain, the alliance played a key role in advancing the expansion and improvement of Marine Protected Areas, working with local and national authorities to identify critical ecosystems and ensure their protection. This effort contributed to increasing the area under protection, fostering biodiversity recovery, and enhancing marine ecosystem resilience.
Get Involved Now
The Mediterranean Sea, a vital hub of marine biodiversity, is facing an unprecedented threat from illegal fishing practices