Balearic Islands marine reserves programme 2017

The project

The Balearic Islands have eight marine reserves covering a total area of 61,800 hectares. Since the creation of the first one in 1999, the reserves have proven to be an effective instrument for managing fisheries and marine resources (and the economic activities they involve) and their success led to greater demand.

In addition, it cannot be forgotten that, due to the temperature changes of the Balearic Islands sea water, September, October and the beginning of November are perfect for diving, which allows us to extend the tourist season and for this sector to be one of the beneficiaries of the marine reserves (Brotons, 2013).

However, in recent years marine reserves have gone through a precarious situation due to budget cuts and the loss of personnel (close to 50%) under the previous administration, which has caused the weakening of surveillance related to the sea and the public presence.

The reserves require resources and personnel and it is urgent to find such resources to finance the necessary improvements in terms of surveillance, monitoring and control.  For this reason and to alleviate this situation, the Marine Reserve Programme is being presented, which will focus on the following actions:

- Provision of surveillance personnel in the new marine reserves of the Pityusic Islands.

- Acquisition of means of surveillance.

- Controlling professional fishing vessels.

- Monitoring fisheries in the new marine reserves.