PIM Initiative, for Mediterranean Small Islands
13.03.2013
Conservatoire du littoral (French coastal protection agency) coordinate, since 2006, a program based on the protection of Mediterranean small islands, thanks to the implementation of concrete actions on the field and by promoting exchange of expertise and knowledge between managers and experts from across the Mediterranean.
A multitude of islands sprinkle the Mediterranean Sea. These exceptional territories shelter a natural heritage and testify from the civilizations that have succeeded and coexisted on these areas through ruins and fragments of cultural heritage already existing.
Far away from the coasts or difficult to access, small islands have preserved, by their isolation, large parts of the Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage. Today, isolation is broken, and the small islands became accessible and coveted ; the lack of precautions in setting-up natural sites, the attendance and the over-exploitation of resource can generate disturbance and provoke important and irreversible damages.
The stakeholders involved in the sector of nature conservation, awared of the heritage value of some islands, have implemented measures for their conservation. However, only few territories are currently managed, and many islands or islets still remain unknown ...
Based on these observations, the Conservatoire du littoral (French coastal protection agency) coordinate, since 2006, a program based on the protection of Mediterranean small islands, thanks to the implementation of concrete actions on the field and by promoting exchange of expertise and knowledge between managers and experts from across the Mediterranean. The approach aims, through support to the management of these territories, to develop the conservation measures and to promote the interest of a sustainable preservation of natural areas including the human factor.
After more than 7 years of experience and actions on the islands, the PIM Initiative has developed an extensive network in the Mediterranean and can rely on the strong involvement of partners (Ministries, Coastal protection agencies, municipalities, universities, scientists, managers, …) and funders (French GEF, Water Agency for Rhone, Mediterranean and Corsica, City of Marseille…) to sustain their actions always in the same goal : for coastal areas protected on the long term and effectively managed!
For more information : http://initiative-pim.org /en