The Spanish Minister of Environment, Cristina Narbona, Andalucia's regional Minister of Environment, Fuensanta Coves, and IUCN General Director, Achim Steiner, re-endorsed on the 3rd February the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000 to create the Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. The core financial support provided by the two institutions will allow the centre, based in Malaga, to continue its activities from 2005 up to 2009.

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS AND THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION
10 February 2005, Brussels.

The world's fisheries are in crisis. There is mounting scientific evidence of a sharp decline in global catches. However, fish farming has appeared as a possible solution to answer the growing demand for seafood which the catching of wild fish cannot provide. Yet, from the conservation point of view, aquaculture also raises a number of issues of concern for the environment. These include the release of waste materials, the occurrence of disease, maintenance and assurance of product quality and the introduction of new species. By mainstreaming conservation into business, IUCN has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) which aims at assuring high standards in quality food production while respecting environmental considerations and consumers' demands.

For further information, please contact François Simard.

NEW LOOK FOR THE IUCN-MED WEBSITE
February 2005, Malaga.

A renewed face for a new period supported by the main Spanish donors of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation: the Ministry of Environment and Junta de Andalucia. The centre has unveiled a newly designed website that offers a fresh image and revised information architecture on the IUCN Mediterranean programme in the three official IUCN languages. The complete overhaul of the site introduces detailed information on all activities and products developed by the centre in its first three teething years as well as on upcoming events, initiatives and activities occurring in the Mediterranean region. The latest webstats for 2004 show that page visits have increased in nearly 50% in one year displaying a growing interest in what the Centre is doing. A new section for IUCN member activities provides a platform to exchange information amongst the members in the region.

For further information, please contact Lourdes Lazaro

COMMON DOLPHIN DECREASE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
22 January 2005, Malaga.

One of the commonest species in the Mediterranean Sea, the common dolphin has experienced a generalized and major decrease in this region for the last 30-40 years. Mediterranean biodiversity is undergoing rapid alteration under the joint pressure of human impact and climate change, and it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of environment shifts due to climate change, whether 'natural' or a result of the greenhouse effect, and other factors that may be affecting the availability of dolphin prey, such as over-fishing and habitat degradation. Several countries have put in place conservation measures through different types of designations such as the Marine Sanctuary for cetaceans in the Corso-Ligurian Basin. While these types of designation may benefit common dolphins at least indirectly, measures to provide direct benefits remain to be identified and implemented.

For further information, please contact Jamie Skinner

MEMBER NEWS from Junta de Andalucia
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ANDALUSIA
February 2005, Sevilla

Advanced information technology is more and more essential for effectively managing and delivering conservation information. The Consejeria de Medio Ambiente of the regional government of Andalucia has developed a data management system including software and information technology tools to manage biodiversity data and deliver practical products and services. The system is called Sistema de Información Ambiental de Andalucía (SinambA).This programme has been gathering information on the state of the environmental and natural resources in Andalucia since 1984. A talented team has systematised, centralised and standardised environmental data in order to make biodiversity information accessible to experts and the general public through a web-based data exploration tools.

ROOM FOR PROTECTED AREAS IN NORTH CYPRUS
4 March 2005, Karpaz (North of Cyprus)

North Cyprus offers a range of varied terrestrial habitats, such as pine forests, dwarf juniper scrub, garigue scrub, limestone pavements, dune vegetation, and that of the ‘badlands’ region. Many of these are significant Mediterranean habitats. Adrian Philips, formerly chairman of the IUCN Commission on Protected Areas has recently completed an assessment of the challenges facing the area and UNDP and the Management Centre are holding a workshop in Karpaz (NE Cyprus) on Friday 4 March on tourism and the environment in that part of North Cyprus to discuss the situation and the way forward.

BirdLife International has identified three Important Bird Areas which deserve effective protection: the Klidhes Islands, the Karpaz peninsula and the Kyrenia/Besparmak mountain range. An estimated 30% of the Mediterranean population of the critically endangered green turtle nest on North Cyprus beaches; and about 10% of the loggerhead turtles. For such a small area, North Cyprus exhibits a very varied landscape with strong cultural and archaeological interests.

Dr Philips concludes that North Cyprus cannot afford to delay any longer. The commercial wave of development is now happening and it will quickly destroy its unique natural and cultural heritage. Well-managed protected areas are needed to help maintain them - and to provide a source of long term prosperity for the people of North Cyprus. The Kyrenia/Besparmak mountain range is strikingly rugged, and the sweep from the forested mountain tops to the shore is a dramatic feature of the first order - keeping its character ought to be a priority for planning in North Cyprus.