Mediterranean Pollution: A Call for Regional Action and Stronger Regulation
Global warming is not the only threat facing the world. The Mediterranean and every living thing in it, including people, are being affected. A new wave of problems driven by human pollution continues to erode the Mare Nostrum, demanding urgent cooperation among basin nations to implement effective policies at local and regional levels and to reverse the environmental damage in this sea region.
Evidence comes from a report prepared for the European Parliament by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), led by oceanographer Patrizia Ziveri. The document stresses the urgent need to address the rising pollution from marine litter and plastics in the Mediterranean, improve existing legislation, and monitor emerging pollutants that require swift regulation.
The Mediterranean Sea endures immense human pressure. With around 150 million people living along its shores, high urbanization, industrial activity, tourism that accounts for a large share of the world’s arrivals, and significant fishing activity, the basin faces a rapid rise in pollution. The sea’s semi‑enclosed geometry and distinctive circulation patterns trap debris, especially plastics, making it one of the most contaminated marine areas on the planet and a notable sink for waste, according to the report.
Tourism as a Major Source of Beach Plastic
Between 80 and 90 percent of basin marine litter is plastic, with about 230,000 tons of land-based plastic reaching the seas each year. Tourism stands as the principal contributor to beach litter, sometimes responsible for as much as sixty percent, followed by fishing and aquaculture at five to ten percent. A small number of garbage types dominate the landscape, with nine items largely plastic and seven entirely or partially plastic in origin. Cigarette butts and filters are the most common waste, comprising roughly 27 percent of beach litter.
Visual evidence accompanies the report, showing large concentrations of garbage on the seafloor and plastic waste seeping into the water. The report by BTK-UAB titled Measures taken by cities and regions in the Mediterranean region to combat marine pollution identifies massive waste generation and mismanagement as a core cause, along with industrial and urban dumping, sewage, agricultural runoff, shipping activity, and tourism.
To address the problem, policies must focus on reducing and treating waste, tourism impacts, plastics and other pollutants, and wastewater from rivers. Reorienting production and consumption patterns and improving waste disposal practices are essential, according to Patrizia Ziveri, an oceanographer at ICTA-UAB.
Stronger Regulation Is Needed
In this context, the fight against pollution in the Mediterranean benefits from the participation of EU and non-EU countries alike, with real cooperation among all Mediterranean states. Implementation and monitoring of pollution control measures should occur at multiple stages, and best practices across regions should be identified, shared, and adopted.
Scientists acknowledge notable progress in treatment and prevention, including compliance with single-use plastics directives and the promotion of recycling. Yet further sustained effort remains necessary. The study reviews how the EU single-use plastics directive has been applied in France, Spain, Italy, and Greece and outlines strategies to curb plastic use through market restrictions, improved waste management, and agreements between consumers and producers.
Mass tourism and large vessels are identified as major sources of waste, underscoring the need for continued focus on reducing plastic usage to meet environmental targets. There is an urgent call to align EU strategic objectives with key sectors such as consumption, production, and waste management, while maintaining practical enforcement across borders.
Experts emphasize that while some actions exist to limit marine pollution—covering fishing, aquaculture, shipping, and mining—shared, voluntary cooperation among signatory states remains a frequent bottleneck. Additional voices in the report highlight ongoing efforts by researchers to advance practical measures and highlight the importance of accountability and transparent results in pollution reduction programs.
Seven Key Challenges Faced by the Mediterranean
The study lists several further measures and challenges, including:
- Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, UV filters, flame retardants, and pesticides, reaching the sea through agricultural, urban, and industrial runoff or coastal wastewater systems.
- Microplastics, with a current lack of binding regulations to curb their spread. Contamination by microplastics should be prioritized in the Mediterranean agenda, aiming to set production bans and reduction targets in textiles and cosmetics, while tracking microplastics entering the water through rivers and wastewater channels. Attention is also drawn to ship paints and antifouling coatings as sources of microplastic pollution.
- Marine noise pollution from ships, oil and gas exploration, offshore construction, and military activity. The report recommends creating sensitive marine zones with restricted noise levels, adopting quieter ship designs, and reducing cruise speeds to protect marine life and reduce disruptions in communication and behavior.
- Rivers, wastewater treatment, and port operations. Managing water pollution remains a challenge due to uneven economic development among Mediterranean nations. The study advocates cyclic reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture to cut fertilizer costs and to reclaim urban wastewater as a valuable resource.
- Aquaculture. This sector dumps untreated waste, uses chemicals, and releases excess nutrients that harm aquatic life. Regulation of nutrient discharges and guidelines for the disposal of abandoned gear are suggested, along with incentives to recover marine waste through compensation programs.
- Coastal city waste characterization and monitoring initiatives. Examples include smart bins that signal when full, public awareness campaigns, tracking debris along major maritime routes, and exploring sustainable packaging that could replace problematic options.
- Mediterranean islands. In these areas, limiting mass tourism to ecologically sensitive zones and charging small visitor fees to encourage responsible travel can help protect coastal ecosystems. Raising public awareness about plastic pollution and resource depletion is also recommended.
The full study and its insights were shared to inform policymakers and stakeholders about practical paths toward cleaner shores and healthier seas for the Mediterranean region.
Notes indicate the study supports ongoing collaboration and monitoring, with an emphasis on applying best practices across regional lines to achieve tangible reductions in pollution and improved environmental health.