1995 Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean

Barcelona Convention SPA / BD Protocol

• International Law Documents
  • Environment
  • Oceans/Law of the Sea
    • Marine Environment
    • Regional/Bilateral

Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) / United Nations Environment Programme Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEPMAP)

Refer to Article 28 of the 1995 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean:

“Article 28: Settlement of Disputes

1. In case of a dispute between Contracting Parties as to the interpretation or application of this Convention or the protocols, they shall seek a settlement of the dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means of their own choice.
2. If the Parties concerned cannot settle their dispute through the means mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the dispute shall upon common agreement be submitted to arbitration under the conditions laid down in annex A to this Convention.
3. Nevertheless, the Contracting Parties may at any time declare that they recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other Party accepting the same obligation, the application of the arbitration procedure in conformity with the provisions of annex A. Such declaration shall be notified in writing to the Depositary, who shall communicate it to the other Parties.”

Government of Spain

Annex I: Common Criteria for the Choice of Protected Marine and Coastal Areas that could be Included in the SPAMI List

Annex II: List of Endangered or Threatened Species

Annex III: List of Species whose Exploitation is Regulated

12/12/1999

“Article 32: Entry into Force

1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of, or accession to, the Protocol.
2. From the date of its entry into force, this Protocol shall replace the Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas of 1982, in the relationship among the Parties to both instruments.”

Annexes II and III to the Protocol were amended by Decision IG.19/12 (entry into force: 13/02/2011), Decision IG.20/5 (entry into force: 30/03/2014), and Decision IG.21/6 (entry into force: 16/04/2015).

Annex II was further amended by Decision IG.23/10 (entry into force: 14/09/2018).

1982 Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas

1992 Convention on Biological Diversity

1976 Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft 

1994 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil

1995 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

1996 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (replaced 1980 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Land-based Sources)

1996 Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

2002 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships, and in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (replaced 1976 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency)

2008 Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean

Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas accessed on 15/07/2024