For the first time, about 300 key players from 21 Mediterranean countries-representatives of national agencies for the environment, fisheries, tourism and the economy, marine protected area managers, scientists, non-governmental organizations, regional and international partners, and local economic actors-gathered at the 2012 Forum of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean to share their experiences and develop a joint programme of work to advance the network of marine protected areas in the region.

The 2012 Forum, held in Antalya (Turkey) from 25 to 28 November, was organized by the Network of Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Managers (MedPAN) and its partners, the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA), the Turkish General Directorate of Natural Assets Protection and the UNDP in Turkey.
During the Forum, Mediterranean and international experts were invited to share their experience on multi-sectoral assessments, ICZM and MSP case studies in a workshop organized by WWF Mediterranean. The discussions provided an understanding as to why a more integrated approach is needed to manage the various economic sectors operating at sea and along the coasts (i.e. tourism, agriculture, coastal development and industries, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, cruising, wind energy, oil and gas extraction, sand extraction, and marine protected areas).

PEGASO partners took part in these discussions, sharing the experience gained from development of the project to date.

Marine spatial planning has been recognized as an effective tool for allocating space and resources to human uses in the most appropriate way by implementing an ecosystem approach, with a view to minimizing conflicts and finding synergies between sectors.