The Commission for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea Waters and Coastal Areas was established in 1977 under the Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea Waters and Coastal Areas from Pollution concluded in 1974 between the former Yugoslavia and Italy to address environmental issues in the Adriatic region in a multidisciplinary manner. Croatia is a party to the Agreement pursuant to the succession of international agreements, and other members are the Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania were invited to join the Commission and so far they are involved only as viewers. Presidency over Commission alternates yearly. Joint Commissions work affects through activities of Sub-commissions. The Commission currently works in three domains: implementation of MSFD; integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development; ballast water management and implementation of the Sub-regional contingency plan for pollution incidents. In 2008 a new Sub-Commission was established with objective to coordinate implementation of MSFD in Adriatic. In 2011 it was named Sub-Commission for implementing the MSFD. On the Sub-Commissions meeting it was agreed to prepare an overview of national monitoring programmes, indicators, methodologies and other relevant data and that adequate indicators should be chosen for Adriatic based on specific physical and geomorphological characteristic of Adriatic, MSFD indicators and indicators related to implementation of Ecosystem approach on Mediterranean (EcAp, which is coordinated by UNEP-MAP). So far states have exchanged results of Questionnaires on indicators and methodologies. In 2011 Slovenia gave project proposal of Strategy for Adriatic (1. phase 2012-2015) and the proposal was followed by a conclusion on need for coordinated implementation of MSFD, ICZM and ECAP on Adriatic level and on Mediterranean level. On the regional (Mediterranean) level coordination is performed through activities related to implementation of Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean (EcAp) coordinated by UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention which presents the main political and legal framework for protection of marine environment and the coastal area of the Mediterranean region. Decisions IG 17/6 -Implementation of the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities that may affect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment- and IG 20/4 -Implementing MAP ecosystem approach roadmap: Mediterranean Ecological and Operational Objectives, Indicators and Timetable for implementing the ecosystem approach roadmap, adopted by the Contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention, articulate a systematic process for moving forward towards more effective ecosystems-based management. The last Five-Year Programme of UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention (2010-2014) adopted at the COP16 includes also the description of the ecosystem approach and operational guidance on the application of the principles and the Ecosystem Approach Road Map. The Road Map for gradual implementation of EcAp is in line also with the requirements of MSFD. According to the Road Map Mediterranean countries participated in preparation of Initial Assessment document for the Mediterranean region. Integrated Assessment of the Mediterranean Ecosystem still needs to be complemented with a preparation of regional and sub-regional socio-economic analysis and development of Guidance document and Pilot cases for national ESA. All 21 countries bordering Mediterranean Sea as well as European Union are Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.

No coordination so far on sub-regional level. On regional level (Mediterranean, according to the Road Map for EcAp, ecological objectives have been defined, accompanied by corresponding 28 operational objectives and 61 indicators. According to the adopted Decision on Ecosystem Approach including adopting definitions of GES and Targets (IG.21/3 ) on the COP18. (Istanbul, December 2013) an Integrated list of Mediterranean GES and related targets were adopted, while review and completion of the respective list (GES and targets for less mature objectives) All 21 countries bordering Mediterranean Sea as well as European Union are Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols. s expected in the biennium 2014-2015. All 21 countries bordering Mediterranean Sea as well as European Union are Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.

No coordination so far on sub-regional level. On regional level, according to the Road Map for EcAp, ecological objectives have been defined, accompanied by corresponding 28 operational objectives and 61 indicators. According to the adopted Decision on Ecosystem Approach including adopting definitions of GES and Targets (IG.21/3 ) on the COP18. (Istanbul, December 2013) an Integrated list of Mediterranean GES and related targets were adopted, while review and completion of the respective list (GES and targets for less mature objectives) is expected in the biennium 2014-2015.All 21 countries bordering Mediterranean Sea as well as European Union are Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.