Monitoring marine invasive species in Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) : a strategy and practical guide for managers

Marine protected areas (MPAs) across the MedPAN Network face common challenges, among them the lack of awareness and understanding of the impacts of invasive species, the scarcity of information on best management practices and a lack of baseline information, guidelines and trained local staff to identify and gather more information on the introduction, spread and impact of alien species. The objective of this guide is to aid Mediterranean MPAs in developing an effective invasive alien species (IAS) programme. It contains information on the introduction pathways and impacts of major marine species that have invaded the Mediterranean Sea, on how to monitor and identify them and on what can be done to prevent their establishment and spread in MPAs.