The Mediterranean Sea Basin has become one of the most popular destinations for ship and sailing cruises. Within this context, the MAPMED project addresses the issue of marine pollution in tourist port areas with a view to ensuring both tourism development and protection of natural resources. Expected Results: • Definition of a knowledge framework of selected tourist port areas located in the North and South Mediterranean coasts in terms of chemico-physical, ecological, socioeconomic conditions and legal aspects as a model for the whole Mediterranean Basin • Identification of the most appropriate integrated methodologies for the assessment and monitoring of environmental quality, bioremediation of petroleum-hydrocarbon contamination of water and sediments and management of treated sediments in representative tourist port areas • Target groups supported towards sustainable management of tourist port areas • Improved regulations towards harmonization • Results widely disseminated