The European straits on the 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Congress agenda (Marseille, 21-25 October 2013)

Published the 17 October 2024

The International Marine Protected Areas Congress, which takes place every four years, is being held for the third time, this time in Marseille from 21 to 25 October, and then in Corsica on 26 and 27 October. The European Straits Initiative (ESI) will be showcased throughout the week, notably through the participation of Pas-de-Calais County Council and the Corsica environment bureau (Office de l’Environnement de la Corse, the OEC), the co-organiser of the event, respectively representing the Strait of Dover and the Strait of Bonifacio, but also less specifically through the attendance of representatives from the network of eight European straits which are members of the ESI. Make sure everyone comes along on 24 and 25 October from 10 am!

The Corsica environment bureau (the OEC), a partner body in the European Straits Initiative, committed itself – on behalf of the Corsica Regional Authority (Collectivité Territoriale de Corse), and in conjunction with the French Marine Protected Areas Agency (Agence des Aires Marines Protégées) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Marseille City Council – to staging the 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Conference (IMPAC3) in Marseille from 21 to 25 October and in Corsica on 26 and 27 October 2013.

The OEC made its mark in Marseille through a speech made by its Chairman, Pierre Ghionga, on the opening day, but also by having a stand on the themes of Corsica’s marine protected areas and the European Straits Initiative, and also through the contributions made by several of the OEC’s representatives, depending on the topics covered.

The Congress will continue on Saturday 26 and on Sunday 27 October at the Palais des Congrès (conference centre) in Ajaccio, through a conference of ministers for the conservation of oceans, to be held under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic. Lastly, to bring the event to a close – during which marine protected areas will receive extensive coverage in the international media – on 28 and 29 October Bonifacio will host the 2nd International Marine Protected Area Agency Summit.

The Corsica environment bureau (the OEC) will give a presentation on some of the issues with which the Strait of Bonifacio – one of the eight partner straits in the European Straits Initiative – is faced.

- Thursday 24 October, from 10 am to 11.30 am (venue: Salle Eugénie): “Cleaning the Sea 2050” (KC4E1). A presentation detailing the designation of the Strait of Bonifacio as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be given by the OEC.

- Friday 25 October from 11.45 am to 1.15 pm (venue: Salle Notre-Dame): “Bilateral co-operation: cross-fertilising minds developing joint actions” (WS5B2). The Corsica environment bureau (the OEC) will give a presentation on the establishment of the “International Strait of Bonifacio marine park” (PMIBB) European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC).

For the sake of the Strait of Dover, the Strait of Bonifacio and all the straits in Europe, share this information with as many people as you can!