MESMA - Monitoring and Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas

The project MESMA aims to supply innovative methods and integrated strategies for governments, local authorities, stakeholders and other managerial bodies for planning and decision making at different local, national and European scales. This includes an easy accessible information system to gain support from politicians, stakeholders and the public in general for difficult (inter)national decisions that are needed for sustainable use and protection of the marine ecosystem. This data system contains information on the distribution of marine habitats and species, economic values and benefits, and human uses.

Strategic tools for sustainable development of European seas and coastal areas are developed, combining an optimized use with a sustained ecosystem of high quality, taking into account ecological and economic differences. Case studies, carries out in the Baltic, the N-E Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea are used to develop an integrated toolbox that can be applied throughout Europe.