Further to the modification proposal of part of the protocol on specially protected areas and biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea, which was signed in 1977 in the framework of the agreement on Marine Environment and Shore Protection in the Mediterranean (Barcelona treaty), the EU is working on the position to adopt with this regard.

The Barcelona treaty is aimed to prevent, reduce and fight pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as protect and improve the marine environment in the region in order to contribute to sustainable development. This inter-governamental treaty was born as a scheme within the UN Environment Progamme, ANSA news agency reported.

In 1999 a protocol on specially protected areas and biodiversity, that is now to be updated further to the modification proposal presented in Floriana (Malta) during the meeting "National Focus Points" from June 3 to 6 2009 and now adopted during the 16th meeting of contracting parties of Barcelona convention, which took place on November 3-5 in Marrakech, Morocco.

The modifications are aimed at changing the taxonomic denomination of some species as well as protecting several other species, consistently with the EU laws and commitment to cooperate internationally to protect biodiversity.