Mission Blue has named the Strait of Sicily and Tunisian Plateau a new Hope Spot. The conservation group announced the designation on October 22, 2026, with WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative leading the effort as its local champion.
The area covers about 44,000 square miles (114,000 square kilometers) between the Mediterranean’s eastern and western basins. It connects waters associated with Italy, Malta and Tunisia. The recognition supports cooperation on conservation, but creates no new regulations or legal protections.
Seagrass, Corals and Shark Breeding Grounds
The region contains seagrass meadows and deep-sea coral habitats, with fin whales, sperm whales, loggerhead turtles and bluefin tuna among its wildlife. Mission Blue identifies fishing pressure, shipping, pollution, offshore development and climate change among the threats.
Scientists have also identified a Strait of Sicily and Tunisian Plateau Important Shark and Ray Area. Its assessment documents breeding grounds for four shark species and three ray species. These include sandbar sharks in Tunisia’s Gulf of Gabès and common eagle rays around Italy’s Egadi Islands.
A Proposal for Shared Protection
WWF and its partners have been working with authorities and other groups since 2023 to identify conservation priorities. Mission Blue says existing protections remain fragmented, with different countries and sectors managing parts of the same ecosystem.
One proposal is a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance, or SPAMI, under the Barcelona Convention. This regional system supports countries working together to protect marine and coastal areas. Mission Blue presents it as a possible next step for the Strait, with coordinated protection and management still to be developed.
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