The "Ecosystem conservation and sustainable artisanal fisheries in the Mediterranean basin (ECOSAFIMED)" project is part of the European Programme ENPI Mediterranean Basin (ENPI CBC MED 2007-2013) and its aim is to contribute to establish management guidelines based on sound scientific evidences to sustain an artisanal fishing industry in areas preserved from the trawling pressure ensuring the maintenance of acceptable practices compatible with the good environmental status of the benthic communities in the Mediterranean basin.
 
The project will be implemented by four public entities representing the public administration and the scientific sectors from three Mediterranean countries, Italy, Tunisia and Spain. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain, through the Biodiversity Foundation is coordinating the initiative. The other partners are the Spanish Research Council - Institute of Marine Sciences (Spain), the University of Genoa (Italy) and the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies - INSTM (Tunisia).
 
 
The ECOSAFIMED project total budget is 1,91 million € and it is financed, for an amount of 1,57 million Euro (81 %), by the European Union (ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme) through the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.
 
The implementation period of the project is from 30th December 2013 till 31st December 2015.