Conservation

Spain is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the marine environment in Europe. To ensure their protection, actions are being developed to increase scientific knowledge and improve the conservation status of the habitats and species found in the marine areas of the Natura 2000 network, as well as to mitigate impacts and develop management tools. The achieved milestones and results are:

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One of the pillars of the project is the creation of coordinated and coherent management tools for all sites included in the Natura 2000 network, based on available scientific information and the involvement of the sectors concerned.

Participatory processes are in place that promote effective involvement by managers, users and stakeholders in drawing up management plans for marine sites in Natura 2000:

Updating the “El Cachucho” Management Plan and extending its reach. The Royal Decree that regulates and expands the “El Cachucho” Marine Protected Area and Special Preservation Area increases its original area by 26,714 hectares, bringing the total protected area to 261,664 hectares, and updates the regulation of uses and activities in one of the areas with the greatest natural wealth of our seas. Information materials, in particular an infographic and a brochure, have been published to explain the details of this process.
Procedure for the approval of the management plans for 9 protected areas under the responsibility of the General State Administration off the coast of the Levante. The aim is to designate the nine Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) as Special Preservation Areas (SPAs), to approve conservation measures for all nine and for the seven marine SPAs that overlap them, and to propose the extension of eight of the nine sites.
Process for updating the management plans of the 24 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the Canary Islands marine demarcation. The purpose of updating these plans is to establish measures that ensure the compatibility of the uses and activities with the maintenance or re-establishment of the favourable conservation status of the values to be protected.

Additionally, the 10 participation processes< of LIFE+ INDEMARES project resulted in the preparation and approval of management plans for nine Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and five Special Protection Areas (SPAs) that overlap in surface area with them. The Mediterranean Cetacean Corridor is also a Marine Protected Area.

On the other hand, a participatory process was promoted for the elaboration of the Master Plan for the Network of Marine Protected Areas of Spain (RAMPE).< The plan establishes criteria for the inclusion of areas in this network, as well as its objectives, guidelines, and action programme.

Related publications

Species conservation

One of the project’s priorities is to ensure that species of Community interest found in our waters are provided with specific protection measures. Conservation strategies and plans have been developed and updated to reduce the threat to species and habitats of Community interest under the Habitats and Birds Directives.

In this regard, the Strategy for the conservation of the common turtle (Caretta caretta) and other marine turtles has been approved has been approved, in addition to the Strategy for the conservation of the Mediterranean fan mussel (Pinna nobilis). Other documents are also in the pipeline:

Progress is being made on the conservation strategy for the ferruginous limpet (Patella ferruginea), the conservation strategy for the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and the recovery plan for the Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
Progress is also being made on other conservation plans for deep-diving cetaceans such as the sperm whale, mysticetes such as the fin whale, and small cetaceans including dolphins.
Work has also begun on the development of the Shearwater Conservation Strategy, which will bring together the Balearic, Cory’s, Mediterranean, Barolo and Manx Shearwaters, and the Marine Conservation Plan for Barolo and Manx Shearwaters.
The development of a conservation plan for the common turtle has also made progress.

All of these processes have involved experts in each species, as well as the sectors concerned, through the organisation of working groups to develop effective management measures.

Audouin's GullTurtlesPosidonia oceanicaFan musselBalearic shearwater

On the other hand, the expert working group on Audouin’s Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) has been re-established to determine the current status of the colonies in Spain and possible conservation measures to be implemented.

Regarding turtles, measures have been taken to encourage nesting. These include training for beach personnel and tagging and monitoring of breeding females. Nest monitoring and hatchling care activities at recovery centres have also been implemented.

On the other hand, work has begun on the adoption of a document of common guidelines for the conservation of Posidonia oceanica and other marine phanerogams, which will include common instructions, guiding criteria and strategic technical recommendations aimed at the conservation of the different species and populations of marine phanerogams present in our waters.

An emergency rescue plan has been put in place for the fan mussel (Pinna nobilis), a Mediterranean mollusc that is endemic and in critical condition due to a parasite affecting almost all its populations.

Work has commenced to protect the primary breeding colony of Balearic shearwater located in Mola de Maó (Menorca) to reduce the main threat of predation by carnivorous species such as bald-faced cats, rats, and mustelids. A proposal for a project is available to construct an antipredator barrier. The barrier is expected to be built in 2024.

Impact mitigation

The approved strategy to control the seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae, which is native to Japan and is colonising the seabed in the Strait of Gibraltar, the Alboran Sea, Ceuta and Melilla, is displacing native species and habitats.

Efforts have been made to reduce the impact of human activities on habitats and species. The protocol for collecting lost and abandoned fishing gear national scheme of criteria for rubbish fishing has been established. Pilot projects are being implemented in marine Natura 2000 Network sites across the five marine demarcations to test the effectiveness of this protocol.

A study was conducted by the Autonomous University of Madrid to assess and value the marine ecosystem services of the Natura 2000 Network in Spain. The study highlights the economic, cultural, and environmental value of marine ecosystem services related to carbon sequestration, fisheries, and tourism.

The organisation has also released the “Methodology for Analysing the Risk of Marine Protected Areas of the Natura 2000 Network in the Face of Climate Change”. This document aims to assist managers in evaluating the risk posed by climate change to marine protected areas. The procedures outlined in the document can be tailored to suit the specific needs and characteristics of each protected area. Based on the results obtained, this methodology will enable the design of measures for adapting to climate change. It will be implemented in five protected areas:

The SPA Marine Area of Alboran Island and SCI Marine Area of Alboran.
The Canal de Menorca SCI.
The Marismas de Odiel SCI.
The Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
The Playas de Sotavento de Jandía SAC.

Efforts are underway to reduce collisions between vessels and sperm whales and other cetaceans in the waters around the Canary and Balearic Islands. Additionally, two studies are being conducted to determine the carrying capacity of cetacean watching activities in the Canary Islands and the Strait of Gibraltar, where such activities are common. A study has been conducted in the Strait of Gibraltar to reduce the interaction of killer whales (Orcinus orca) with sailing vessels. The aim is to minimise the impact on the species and ensure the safety of the vessels. In this line, informative materials have been published, including a brochure and an infographic.

Work has begun on preparing a guide to minimise the impact of underwater noise on cetaceans and turtles. Additionally, underwater noise analysis is being conducted at three points of low human activity in our marine environment. The objective is to set benchmarks for evaluating noise generated by human activities, implement measures to decrease noise emissions, and use innovative techniques to monitor underwater noise to manage the presence of cetaceans and vessels.

Satellite monitoring has also been conducted on individual common turtles (Caretta caretta) that have entered recovery centres after suffering amputations or drowning episodes due to interaction with fishing gear. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation.

Similarly, efforts have been made to restore and strengthen populations of gorgonians, corals, seagrasses, and other important species that form the foundation of marine ecosystems.

Work is underway to install ecological or low-impact anchorages in the Natura 2000 Network areas of Sebadales de La Graciosa, Marine area to the east and south of Lanzarote-Fuerteventura, and Cagafrecho in the Canary Islands.

Conservation

Related publications

Species conservation

Impact mitigation

Demonstrative conservation experiences

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