Main characteristics of the six existing conservation plans in the Mediterranean Sea (additional information in SOM).

1Biodiversity driven: The priority areas were selected considering biophysical data only; Threats: The priority areas were selected after consideration of biophysical data and threats to habitats/species/ecosystems; Socioeconomic considerations: The priority areas were selected after consideration biophysical and socio-economic data and were located in places were conservation goals where achieved with minimum socio-economic cost.