Strengthening marine protection through better data: key findings from the ADRIWATCH assessment
27/10/2026
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a vital role in protecting marine biodiversity. However, effective protection depends not only on surveillance in the field, but also on how collected data are documented, managed and used to support decision-making and enforcement.
Developed within the Interreg Italy–Croatia ADRIWATCH project, the Assessment Report on Surveillance Data Collection and Reporting Systems in Marine Protected Areas analyses current practices and identifies shared challenges across the two countries.
Key challenges and opportunities
Based on existing studies, stakeholder questionnaires and consultations with four pilot institutions in Croatia and Italy, the report highlights several common challenges: fragmented data, inconsistent reporting, reliance on paper-based records, limited digital integration and insufficient information exchange between institutions.
Tracking reported infringements throughout the enforcement process also remains difficult, limiting the ability to assess enforcement effectiveness, identify recurring threats and make informed management decisions.
The assessment emphasises that effective marine protection requires not only strong field surveillance, but also reliable, standardised and accessible data.
Towards more coordinated marine protection
The report highlights promising practices, including internal enforcement-case tracking systems in Croatia and QR-code digital permit verification in Italy. Building on these examples, it recommends a harmonised digital surveillance database connecting patrol planning, field data collection, reporting and enforcement follow-up.
Standardised procedures, stronger institutional cooperation, better data exchange and targeted training are also essential. Digital tools should simplify daily work rather than create additional administrative burdens.
The findings provide a foundation for ADRIWATCH’s next steps: developing and testing a harmonised digital surveillance database and strengthening the capacities of institutions involved in marine protection.
Read the full report to explore the assessment findings, stakeholder perspectives, pilot case studies and recommendations for improving surveillance and cooperation across the Adriatic.
