EMODnet Human Activities, Environment, Regional Sea Conventions Marine Protected Areas

The dataset on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established under the framework of the Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs) was created in 2023 by Cogea for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is based on spatial data provided by HELCOM, by SPA/RAC and MedPAN through the MAPAMED database, and by OSPAR. It is available for viewing and download on EMODnet web portal (Human Activities, https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). The dataset displays all the MPAs as officially reported by the respective Contracting Parties to the Helsinky Convention, to the Barcelona Convention and to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. The RSCs MPAs are established in order to promote the cooperation in the management and conservation of natural areas, as well as in the protection of threatened species and their habitats. Each RSC MPA may be established in the marine and coastal zones subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Parties and in areas situated partly or wholly on the high sea. Thus, the dataset covers the MPAs Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) and the MPAs in following countries: Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom. Where available each polygon has the following attributes: Regional Sea Convention (Barcelona, HELCOM, OSPAR), code, name (english and/or original), country, designation, IUCN category (Ia, Ib, II, IV, V, not applicable, not assigned, not reported), area sqkm (reported, calculated), marine area sqkm (reported, calculated), status (adopted/designated, managed or partly managed, proposed), establishement year, management authorithy, site link. For further information please visit the data providers websites. This dataset covers the last updated versions released in the 2021 and 2022 by HELCOM and MAPAMED, and in the 2024 by OSPAR.