This contract has been drawn up in the context of the activities carried out in collaboration with the European Commission for the mission Cooperation with Northern and Southern Transatlantic Dimension – Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The global objective of the assignment is to promote EU’s role in the international arena by providing elements necessary for the Commission and the EEAS for effective policy formulation and programming vis-à-vis the wider Atlantic region. To achieve this objective, the project will stimulate broader transatlantic cooperation, centered around a new comprehensive concept of “Atlanticism” underscoring the growing importance of Africa and Latin America as actors in the Atlantic space. The specific objective of this action is to broaden the discussion on the effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on both rims of the Atlantic with a view to protect marine biodiversity.