Executive summary: 2017 Mediterranean Quality Status report

This document provides a a regional assessment of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment, grounded in the Ecological Objectives and indicators of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme. It presents the findings of the 2017 Mediterranean Quality Status Report (MED QSR), marking the first integrated effort to evaluate the ecological status of the Mediterranean Sea in alignment with the ecosystem-based approach. Drawing on national data and diverse regional inputs, the report evaluates biodiversity, marine litter, pollution, non-indigenous species, and the status of commercially exploited fish and shellfish. It highlights significant gaps in monitoring, data quality, and geographic coverage—especially in the southern and eastern Mediterranean—while underscoring the overexploitation of fish stocks and threats to marine habitats and species. The document also emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated monitoring, marine protected areas, improved data harmonization, and targeted conservation strategies to achieve Good Environmental Status and fulfill commitments under the Barcelona Convention and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.