the strength to advance consistently and effectively in the development of this type
of plan.
24.6 Policy Implications and Leverage Points
In spite of the richness of the data presented in the previous chapters of this volume,
there are still many gaps in our understanding of the ecosystem functioning in the
Alboran Sea in order to produce and deliver the most efficient advice based in robust
scientific knowledge. In addition, as discussed in this chapter, the Alboran Sea is
facing management and governance challenges that need special attention to ensure
the sustainability of the many human activities and the delivery of services provided
by this ecosystem and to effectively contribute to the success of the UN SDG
(Agenda 2030), the FAO BGI, the EU MSFD, and MSP directives and other
international policies.
In this context, more research is needed to understand the ecosystem functioning
and its resilience to environmental and human disturbances. Obtaining data with a
better spatial and temporal resolution is a crucial and necessary step to take the pulse
of the Mediterranean Sea and the whole Alboran Sea and then keep it under
permanent review to permit the taking of management options and to revert
unwanted human-induced disturbances and other undesirable environmental situations. In addition, more basic and interdisciplinary science must be boosted to
increase the knowledge base needed for the most efficient and coherent advice for
sustainable development.
Moreover, it is necessary to reinforce the existing national and regional collaborative systems and international frameworks to share common management policies of the marine environment. In country, bilateral North-South and South-South
collaboration among universities and research institutions needs to be reinforced. As
proposed during the first meeting of Alboran universities organized under the
framework of the 1st Alboran Sea Forum, the common work between universities
and researchers should result in reinforcing the existing collaboration between professors and research groups within the universities of the Sea of Alboran; analyze the
relevance of their work (teaching, research, advice) to be useful and relevant in
relation to the priorities and purposes of the international organizations competent in
marine environment, fisheries, and conservation; and promote the participation of
the academic sector in the conservation of the environment and marine biodiversity
of the Alboran Sea.
Establish new platforms for free and open data sharing with transparent metadata
accessible to all stakeholders when and where necessary, which could be also used as
the basis for creating ecosystem and performance/trends joint indicators. In this
context, establish pan-regional universities-science-policy interfaces (e.g., the Foro
Mar de Alboran) that could help to perform a better multidisciplinary knowledge to
ensure that the best scientific knowledge is available and conveyed in due time to all
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
815
of plan.
24.6 Policy Implications and Leverage Points
In spite of the richness of the data presented in the previous chapters of this volume,
there are still many gaps in our understanding of the ecosystem functioning in the
Alboran Sea in order to produce and deliver the most efficient advice based in robust
scientific knowledge. In addition, as discussed in this chapter, the Alboran Sea is
facing management and governance challenges that need special attention to ensure
the sustainability of the many human activities and the delivery of services provided
by this ecosystem and to effectively contribute to the success of the UN SDG
(Agenda 2030), the FAO BGI, the EU MSFD, and MSP directives and other
international policies.
In this context, more research is needed to understand the ecosystem functioning
and its resilience to environmental and human disturbances. Obtaining data with a
better spatial and temporal resolution is a crucial and necessary step to take the pulse
of the Mediterranean Sea and the whole Alboran Sea and then keep it under
permanent review to permit the taking of management options and to revert
unwanted human-induced disturbances and other undesirable environmental situations. In addition, more basic and interdisciplinary science must be boosted to
increase the knowledge base needed for the most efficient and coherent advice for
sustainable development.
Moreover, it is necessary to reinforce the existing national and regional collaborative systems and international frameworks to share common management policies of the marine environment. In country, bilateral North-South and South-South
collaboration among universities and research institutions needs to be reinforced. As
proposed during the first meeting of Alboran universities organized under the
framework of the 1st Alboran Sea Forum, the common work between universities
and researchers should result in reinforcing the existing collaboration between professors and research groups within the universities of the Sea of Alboran; analyze the
relevance of their work (teaching, research, advice) to be useful and relevant in
relation to the priorities and purposes of the international organizations competent in
marine environment, fisheries, and conservation; and promote the participation of
the academic sector in the conservation of the environment and marine biodiversity
of the Alboran Sea.
Establish new platforms for free and open data sharing with transparent metadata
accessible to all stakeholders when and where necessary, which could be also used as
the basis for creating ecosystem and performance/trends joint indicators. In this
context, establish pan-regional universities-science-policy interfaces (e.g., the Foro
Mar de Alboran) that could help to perform a better multidisciplinary knowledge to
ensure that the best scientific knowledge is available and conveyed in due time to all
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
815