Major Threats to the Mediterranean Sea: Pollution, Overfishing, and Climate Change

1. Pollution

Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, oil spills, and plastic debris degrade water quality.

2. Overfishing

Depletion of bluefin tuna, swordfish, sea turtles; bottom trawling destroys seafloor habitats.

3. Habitat Destruction

Coastal development (ports, marinas, resorts) eliminates wetlands, seagrass meadows, coral reefs.

4. Climate Change

Rising temperatures, acidification, coral bleaching, oxygen loss, species redistribution.

5. Invasive Species

Lionfish and others disrupt food webs and outcompete natives.

6. Shipping & Noise Pollution

Heavy traffic harms marine mammals' communication and navigation.

7. Unsustainable Tourism

Overcrowding, litter, poor waste management stress coastal ecosystems.

8. Biodiversity Loss

Declining corals, fish, marine mammals, turtles unbalance the ecosystem.

9. Ocean Acidification

Weakens coral skeletons, increases vulnerability.

10. Weak Governance

Insufficient international cooperation, enforcement, and resources hinder conservation.