Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and related Assessment Criteria (IMAP) [2016]

This document sets out a regional programme for monitoring and assessing the Mediterranean sea and coast. It was adopted in February 2016 by Parties to the Barcelona Convention. It defines 2016–2021 actions and common indicators. It covers biodiversity, non-indigenous species, eutrophication, hydrography, coastal change, contaminants, and marine litter, with candidate metrics for underwater noise. It prescribes risk-based, coordinated national monitoring and integrated assessments. It requires a SEIS-based data system and harmonized reporting. It foresees a 2017 quality status report and a 2019 environment and development report. It emphasizes cooperation with GFCM and ACCOBAMS to fill gaps and ensure coherent assessments.