The deployment of an integrated maritime policy in the Mediterranean has to tackle two major obstacles: the European Union is present in only seven Mediterranean States and a large part of the waters of the Mediterranean is governed by rules for the high seas.
Le beartas muirí comhtháite a chur i bhfeidhm sa Mheánmhuir ní mór aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhá mhórbhac: níl an tAontas Eorpach le fáil ach i 7 Stát Meánmhara agus tá mórchuid na n-uiscí Meánmhara faoi réimeas na mórmhara.