RAC/SPA was established in Tunis in 1985 by decision of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, which entrusted it with responsibility for assessing the situation of natural heritage and assisting the Mediterranean countries to implement the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean, (SPA/BD Protocol), especially in regard to developing and promoting Specially Protected Areas (SPAs) and reducing the loss of marine and coastal biodiversity. The actions carried out by RAC/SPA are aiming for the conservation of habitats, ecosystems, sites and species in the Mediterranean taking into account sustainable management and the ecosystem approach. With a view to furthering the implementation of the SPA/BD Protocol, which came into force in 1999, RAC/SPA developed a Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biological Biodiversity in the Mediterranean Region (SAP BIO), which was adopted by the Contracting Parties in 2003. Within the framework of this programme, RAC/SPA pursues the following basic objectives: - Fostering improved knowledge of marine and coastal biodiversity; - Improving the management of existing and facilitating the creation of new Marine and Coastal Protected Areas; - Enhancing the protection of endangered species and habitats; - Contributing to the reinforcement of relevant national legislation and national and international capacity-building; and - Contributing to fund-raising efforts. Therefore, the main fields of action of RAC/SPA are: - Developing research to complete the knowledge base and fill in knowledge gaps on biodiversity; - Inventorying, mapping and monitoring coastal and marine biodiversity; - Assessing and mitigating the impact of threats on biodiversity; - Conserving sensitive habitats, species and sites; and - Coordinating capacity-building and technical support.