Despite its small size, the Mediterranean is mainly under high sea status (beyond national jurisdictions), because Mediterranean countries have not, or have only partially declared their Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles from the limit of the territorial Waters). This status does not allow a competent marine biodiversity management.  Consequently, IUCN has elaborated a project on how to improve the governance of the zone. 

A first meeting has been held in Tunisia on 6-8 December 2007, with the aim to initiate a formal consultation process between the riparian states, starting with the Western Mediterranean (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Monaco and Italy). During three days, about 30 jurists, biologists and concerned international organization representatives thoroughly discussed outstanding governance issues:  Inventory in terms of biodiversity, international right and space management tools (SPAMIs - Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Interest under the Barcelona Convention, PSSA - Particularly Sensitive Sea Area of the International Maritime Organization, FRZ - Fisheries Restriction Zone of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) and the further possible actions. The Black Sea and the Baltic Sea were taken and examined as examples. 

A second meeting will be held in July 2008. Two documents are being elaborated: One referring to national law and declarations on high sea, and the other describing the characteristics of high sea pelagic habitats.

The whole project is supported by the framework agreement signed between France and IUCN.