iconic protected area, the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, the world’s first marine protected area established beyond national jurisdiction. With the support of the European Association Rotary for the Environment, and in collaboration with the NGO Europe Conservation, on 2nd March 1991 Tethys presented the "Pelagos Sanctuary" idea to H.S.H. the Prince Rainier III of Monaco. This event originated a long process whereby three nations (France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco), with the intervening support of several environmental NGOs in France and Italy, were able to finally agree on an international treaty signed in Rome on 25th November 1999. Tethys was also the first proponent of a Dolphin Reserve off the island of Lošinj (Croatia), which however no longer exists. Having been established by Croatia in 2006, the reserve was met with such a strong opposition by local stakeholders that its confirmation was torpedoed in 2009. Tethys is also contributing to the conservation of the Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). Having catalysed the support to the plight of the Mediterranean pinniped by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Tethys joined efforts with WWF Greece in a long-term project, CYCLADES LIFE+, co-financed by the European Commission, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the BlueMarine Foundation, and the Ensemble Foundation. The project envisages the involvement of the local communities of the islands of Syros and Andros (Greece) in the co-management and participation in the protection of the local marine biodiversity, particularly on and around the uninhabited island of Gyaros. This island hosts the Mediterranean's largest surviving colony of monk seals, as well as important colonies of threatened marine birds. Tethys' expertise has also contributed to the formulation of a national strategy and action plan for the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal in Greece, and to the Regional Strategy for the conservation of monk seals in the Mediterranean, adopted by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention during their 18th Ordinary Meeting in Istanbul in 2013. Tethys is currently leading the development of the concept of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), in cooperation with the IUCN Marine Mammals Protected Areas Task Force (MMPA TF) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Defined as discrete portions of habitat important to marine mammal species or populations, IMMAs have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. IMMAs consist of areas that may merit place-based protection and/or monitoring and are identified