In 2000 the Governments of Albania, FYR Macedonia and Greece agreed to work together to introduce environmental management practices in the shared Prespa Lakes Basin by integrating ecological, economic and social goals.

The establishment of Prespa Park as a Transboundary Protected Area provides a way to effectively coordinate management over the whole basin in a number of sectors, and address issues of concern for a balanced, environment-friendly economic and social development.

Basin-wide monitoring, preservation and management of the lakes’ water quality and quantity, or protection of flora and fauna across state boundaries are some of the examples of the complex tasks in addressing causes of the stress on Prespa eco-systems.

The main are:

•    AGRICULTURE: Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers affects the quality of the soil, the water and thus ecosystem and human health; excessive use of water for irrigation may result in the drop of lake water level;
•    WASTE MANAGEMENT: Untreated wastewater can affect the quality of ground waters and of the lakes;
•    LAND-USE MANAGEMENT: Conversion of sensitive habitats into other uses can have a negative impact on ecosystems’ services;
•    FISHERY: Unregulated fishing, introduction of exotic fish species and the lack of a   monitoring program can bring about a decline in the native species of fish.♦