How to Deliver Transformative Change and Conservation to Marine Ecosystems of West Asia and MENA in Real Time

by Dr. Ameer A. Eweida

RSMAS University of Miami and IUCN WCPA

Multiple human drivers have significantly altered Nature across the world with the majority of ecosystem and biodiversity indicators showing steep decline (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, IPBES).

• Of 34,000 wildlife populations assessed globally, 73% have seen an average decline of 73% from 1970 through 2020 according to the 2024 Living Planet Index. 45,300 species worldwide are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List .
• Of these 37% of sharks and rays, 36% of reef corals, and 28% of assessed crustaceans are threatened with extinction. Approximately 19 to 29% of seagrass habitats have been lost globally and nearly 20% of mangroves habitats are Endangered or Critically Endangered with more than 50% at risk of collapse by 2050.

It is clear that there is no time to lose.

Identifying critical pathways with timely interventions to conservation is key to transformative change .? Multiple niche changes and innovations are required and can coalesce to transform trajectories of biodiversity and sustainability indices that are in steep decline across the globe.

Bold approaches to marine conservation are urgently needed in the West Asia and MENA regions to address pressing threats facing these globally unique socio-ecological systems and to capitalise on clear regional opportunities that differentiate this region from others.

Through a series of think-tank workshops over a 3 year period (culminating with the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum ) a roadmap for the West Asia and the MENA regions has crystallised and emerged as a compelling way forward.

Eight transformative changes are necessary and are key regional opportunities

These are the main pillars for conservation success and transformation in the West Asia and MENA region:

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1.??? “Zero Net Biodiversity Loss” and “Sustainability” are increasingly becoming an untenable vision for marine ecosystems of the West Asia and the MENA region. The region should adopt “Net Positive” approaches through offsetting , restoration, and regenerative approaches to enhance socio-ecological resilience.

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2.??? While Marine Protected Areas are recognised as an essential tool for space-based conservation, the region is underrepresented in the number, size, and effectiveness of established MPAs and far from the 30% by 2030 global target.? To progress rapidly, MPA design should be embedded in broader regional Marine Spatial Planning to ensure effective conservation and protection through socio-ecological system cohesion, transboundary management of connectivity and threats, and potential buffering of impacts so as to deliver true Regenerative Blue Economies to states.? Marine Spatial Planning is an underutilised tool in the West Asia and the MENA regions and should be made more accessible (democratised) and applied more extensively.

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3.??? The West Asia and MENA regions possess globally unique and outstanding marine and coastal natural values that are closely coupled with cultural values in many instances. Greater effort should be placed in bringing these key locations to nomination and inscription under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention to ensure better biogeographical and cultural representation and protection of globally important sites.? Clear guidance and support exist from organisations such as IUCN and UNESCO to advance this.

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4.??? The climate change and marine biodiversity crises are intricately linked and can best be addressed in the West Asia region through a resilience-based conservation and management approach that considers multiple spatial objectives, cumulative risk and impact assessments, and connectivity analyses. Interventions should be hierarchical in spatial scale and delivered within discrete seascapes and ecoregions to yield efficient, coherent, systematic, and measurable conservation outcomes.

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5.??? Circular economy approaches are not sufficiently integrated in marine resource management and biodiversity conservation efforts in West Asia and should be engaged immediately to address key regional issues, such as marine debris and pollution, at the source.

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6.??? The multifaceted private sector of West Asia is an important conservation and sustainability ally, and its nuanced role should be better defined and utilised for the benefit of marine and coastal ecosystems.

7.???Consolidation, standardisation, and accessibility of marine data and knowledge remains a challenge for the region. Relevant science and information should be better communicated in a timely and meaningful manner in the region as that is key to more effective uptake, increased trust in science , and to ensure evidence-based decision-making increases at the regional seas level.

8.??? Given the fluidity of marine ecosystems and mobility of marine species, the relatively small sea basins, and proximity of state neighbours in the West Asia and MENA region, transboundary and cumulative marine threats (such as overfishing , pollution, invasive species, and climate change impacts), are a priority that states need to collaborate on and intergovernmental organisations (such as IUCN and its regional and global programs) are uniquely positioned and needed to address.