In the framework of the Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and coastal areas from pollution (1974), Republic of Croatia cooperates with countries in the subregion of the Adriatic Sea, conducting activities for harmonization of approach, methodology and program for protecting the marine environment, and within the cooperation a variety of initiatives are made for protection of the Adriatic Sea in accordance with existing internationally accepted agreements. At the regional level, as a signatory to the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention), Republic of Croatia participates in all activities of the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP), emphasizing the application of the ecosystem approach in the management of human activities that may have impact on the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean based on the Decision of the Contracting Parties in 2008 ( Decision IG 17/6 , Annex II ). Environmental Protection Act (OG 80/13), Article 55, prescribes the adoption of the Marine and Coastal Area Management Strategy.