2026 SPAMI Day
A day to celebrate the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance and expand ocean conservation efforts
Since its establishment in 2001 under the Barcelona Convention’s Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean, the List of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs) has become a cornerstone of regional cooperation for marine and coastal conservation. Bringing together 39 sites throughout the Mediterranean, the SPAMI network reflects a shared commitment to protect biodiversity, strengthen management effectiveness, and foster cooperation beyond national borders.
More than a list of protected areas, the SPAMI network is a community of practice. Through regular exchanges, peer learning and a shared commitment to common standards of quality and effectiveness, SPAMIs contribute to advancing conservation approaches and addressing shared challenges across the region.
Hosted by the Miramare Marine Protected Area in Trieste, Italy, on 29 and 30 June 2026, the fifth edition of SPAMI Day offers an opportunity to celebrate this collective effort. It also coincides with two significant national milestones: the 40th anniversary of Miramare Marine Protected Area and the 60th anniversary of its managing organization, WWF Italy, highlighting decades of commitment to nature conservation in the Mediterranean.
This year’s edition places a particular focus on ecological restoration, a growing priority for Mediterranean ecosystems facing increasing pressures from climate change, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Through technical discussions, institutional exchanges and public outreach activities, SPAMI Day 2026 will showcase experiences from across the SPAMI network and reaffirm the role of protected areas as catalysts for recovery, resilience and sustainable development.
By bringing together site managers, national authorities, experts and conservation partners, SPAMI Day contributes to strengthening the connections that make the SPAMI network a unique regional platform for cooperation and action in support of a healthy and thriving Mediterranean Sea.
SPA/RAC is the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas and Marine Biodiversity, established in 1985 under the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. The mission of SPA/RAC is to support the efforts of Mediterranean countries to conserve and sustainably manage threatened or endangered species and areas of particular natural or cultural value. SPA/RAC has been entrusted with the management of the SPAMI List since its establishment in 2001 by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention as a framework for exchange, cooperation and technical support, currently benefiting 39 marine and coastal protected areas in the Mediterranean.