Due to the specific nature of the Mediterranean and Black Sea and the rapid expansion of seabased activities, there is a need to create new knowledge to support the development of decision maker's tools for optimizing the management of human activities, within an integrated coastal and marine space system.

The objective of the project is to build up scientific basis firstly for establishing regional or sub-regional wide networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) for conservation and better management of marine living resources, secondly for assessing offshore wind energy potential while evaluating possible synergies and conflicts of use with other marine activities.

Research on MPAs will concern the establishment of scientific guidelines, criteria, models and tools for the design, mapping, management, monitoring and control of regional or subregional networks of MPAs including deep-sea habitats and areas beyond national jurisdictions. These networks of MPAs should respond to clearly established objectives, from protecting biodiversity (strict reserves) to achieving a sustainable exploitation of aquatic living resources by preserving nursery grounds and juveniles (restricted areas).

The focus will be on the identification of priority areas in both basins through a hierarchical approach based on ecological and socio-economic criteria in underrepresented or poorly studied areas and ecosystems (e.g. the high seas and the deep seas). Sizing, spacing and ecological connectivity and interdependency between sites will be studied for optimal maintenance of species populations and biodiversity (spill over effect), considering possible genetic exchange, larval behaviour patterns and larval dispersal and making the best use of molecular science and multidisciplinary approaches between marine genomics and ecosystem science. Habitat discontinuity and fragmentation, physical oceanography should also be considered. The development of management strategies for implementing the regional networks such as regulation measures to limit and ban certain practices, dynamic closures, legal issues for managing trans-boundary areas and high seas MPAs are key elements of the project. The project should also promote innovative communication strategies between scientists, managers, fishermen, shippers, NGOs, potential users and public at large.

Research on wind energy will provide a scientific basis for assessing off-shore wind potential in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, focusing on areas already identified as promising with respect to wind regimes. The project should assess the potential for offshore wind power production based on the use of existing models. It will also evaluate potential conflicts with other uses of the space (MPAs, maritime transport, on shore large desalination plants, dredging, fishing, aquaculture, sub-sea cables, pipelines, tourism, etc). The project should deliver scientific guidelines for an enriched "wind atlas" for decision-makers and planners.

Moreover the project shall launch two pilot studies, at least one in the Mediterranean and one in the Black Sea, addressing the establishment of regional networks of MPAs, also combining if possible wind energy development, and considering all the possible conflicts from othermaritime activities. The pilot studies should address selected areas within regions or subregions of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive9.The project should reinforce capacity building in support to international cooperation by transferring and making compatible methods across the two basins and by promoting common rules and practices in particular with non EU countries from Balkans, Southern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe bordering the two seas.

Funding scheme: Collaborative Project (large scale integrating project) for specific cooperation actions (SICA) dedicated to international cooperation partner countries.

Additional eligibility criteria:

- The requested European Union contribution shall not exceed EUR 9 000 000.

- SICA - Minimum number of participants: 3 from different Member States or Associated countries and 4 from different ICPC, among which at least 2 from the Mediterranean Partner Countries and at least 2 from the ICPC countries of the EU Black Sea Synergy10.

Additional information:

A maximum of one project may be funded.

The multi-disciplinary approach of the research undertaken is essential to address the topic. It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "S/T quality".

The multi-sectoral composition of the partnership and the participation of industrial partners and relevant end-users, in particular SMEs, are essential for the implementation of the project. It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "Implementation".

Expected impacts:

- Improved methods and tools for developing holistic planning and integrated management approaches and practices for the implementation of regional or subregional networks of Marine Protected Areas and the assessment of offshore wind energy potential in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea,

- Reinforcing international cooperation and interactions between scientists and marine space users throughout the two geographic areas and spreading knowledge to decision makers,

- Demonstrating the feasibility and possible synergy between regional networks of MPAs and offshore wind sites through the launching of two pilot studies, at least one in the Mediterranean and one in the Black Sea, with the participation of the industry,

- Supporting maritime spatial planning11 and the development of an Integrated Maritime Policy in the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins,

- Contributing to fulfil international/regional conventions and agreements e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity, UN World Summit on Sustainable Development,

- Plan of Implementation, as well as, EU regulations and policies regarding themplementation of regional or sub-regional networks of MPAs.