Within the Mediterranean there are 𝟭𝟱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 (𝗘𝗕𝗦𝗔𝘀) - these marine areas have been identified for their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem health. However, identifying these areas is only the start of the challenge. Their effective conservation requires stronger governance