Gulf of Valencia (Spain) [briefing paper]
- affected by subsistence
- coastal regression due to reduction of riverine sediment inputs and changes in storminess
- progressive salinisation of the River Ebro
- high pressure of use from tourism, agriculture and aquaculture
- specific areas of concern include Cullera Bay, which is suffering particularly from high freshwater inputs of fertilizers and pesticides and untreated effluent from a shallow marine outfall

Gulf of Oran (Algeria) [briefing paper]
- existence of three important harbours (Oran, Arzew and Mostaganem)
- increasing population and almost complete absence of treatment of domestic and industrial effluent
- existence in Arzew of the biggest petrochemical complex in Africa constituting a major risk of marine and atmospheric pollution
- phytoplankton growth restricted by large quantities of nutrients transported by the Cheliff and Macta rivers

Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) [briefing paper]
- the most pronounced annual cycle of water temperature in the Mediterranean, along with the highest tidal range (1.8 m)
- recent indications of ecosystem changes, e.g., appearance of new species of shrimps and successive Sirocco episodes in recent summers causing red coloured waters
- toxic industrial discharges, although phosphate discharges from the chemical industry are decreasing
- economically valuable nursery and fishing area, e.g., for Crevette Royal
- several fragile salt lakes or Sebkhats, the lagoon of Boughrara and a number of very low-lying islands, including the tourist destination of Djerba

Western Nile Delta (Egypt) [briefing paper]
- Recent large-scale unplanned developments and poor awareness of environmental issues
- direct inundation due to sea level rise, salt water intrusion, and waterlogging
- coastal erosion rates currently exceeding 50 meters per year in some areas
- concerns over water resources, agricultural resources, health and economic effects of pollution