Join a webinar on SMART MPA Co-management of Italian MPAs

Title: SMART co-management of Italian MPAs

Date: Wed, 3 June 2026 @ 14:00-15:00 CET

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XluYyurGR-evFrU1vIDHuw

Speakers:

• Giulia Prato, WWF Italy

• Moses Adjei, Wageningen University

• Troels Jacob Hegland, Aalborg University

• Christian Diaz, independent consultant

About: Italy has some 30 national MPAs and two submerged National Parks. Though figures

vary, these protected areas cover far less—often cited as covering only 13% of the national

territorial waters including Natura 2000 sites—than what is required by the EU's Biodiversity Strategy (30%). But even in designated areas, conservation efforts are undermined by a range of barriers, which means the total area currently under effective protection is below 13%.

Drawing on the results of the Torre Guaceto case study, implemented as part of the

PERMAGOV project, this webinar presents pathways to move beyond “paper MPAs” in Italy that exist on maps but lack effective enforcement. Participants will learn about governance

approaches that involve local fishers in MPA co-management as well as the challenges and

strategies for effective MPA management. The webinar also features a demonstration of the

SMART app to show how MPA monitoring and surveillance can benefit from digital innovations.