From policy to practice: challenges and solutions for coastal local authorities implementing European marine biodiversity policies in the French Mediterranean

This study investigates how local authorities in the French Mediterranean, focusing on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, navigate the complex landscape of European marine management policies, including the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Drawing on empirical data from policy and planning document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and observations from stakeholder events, the research identifies a range of challenges faced by local authorities, such as administrative burdens, fragmented governance, resource constraints, and the disconnect between national policy design and local implementation. The findings highlight that while EU directives provide a coherent framework for biodiversity protection, their operationalisation at the local level is often hindered by overlapping regulations, limited capacity, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. Despite these obstacles, the study documents several innovative governance mechanisms and good practices developed by local administrations, including multi-actor councils, specialized marine services within Water Agencies, and territorial ecological restoration plans, which have helped improve policy coherence and stakeholder collaboration. The analysis further explores the science-policy-society interface, emphasizing the importance of integrating local expertise and feedback into policy development. Ultimately, this article offers case-based recommendations for streamlining regulatory frameworks, enhancing capacity building, and fostering participatory governance, with the aim of strengthening the effectiveness of biodiversity protection and advancing integrated marine management in the French Mediterranean, with potential relevance for other European coastal regions.