The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s most culturally
important bodies of water and for centuries, it has been the
home and primary source of food for millions of people. As a
result of its location and use as a primary trade route -- 23
nations border it -- the Mediterranean is at the center of world
history. Within the coastal region, the people inhabiting the
area have had centuries of interactions with the marine
environment. Persistent fisheries targeting bluefin tuna during
their spawning migrations into the Mediterranean have been
established since antiquity. As a result of intense fishing and
large coastal populations, pollution is of particular concern in
the region. Recent fish kills have occurred in the Med’s
northern Adriatic Sea as a result of noxious phytoplankton
blooms. The blooms deplete oxygen levels, suffocating any fish
unable to escape. Areas of particular conservation interest in
the Mediterranean include: the The Balearic Islands, Cabrera
National Park, Menorca Canyon, Isla de Alb