Marine Reserves in the Balearic Islands Strengthen Surveillance and Management

A programme to provide staff and resources to these sites to ensure their protection and sustainability

What does it consist of?

Marine reserves in the Balearic Islands now have more staff and technical resources to improve their management and surveillance. Thanks to funding from sustainable tourism tax, the programme has made it possible to strengthen fishing control and resource monitoring at these sites, which are highly important for biodiversity.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
Balearic Islands marine reserves programme 2017
LOCATION
Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Govern de les Illes Balears
Entity that executes the project
Conselleria d'Agricultura, Pesca i Alimentació
Project code
ITS2017-098
Total project amount
1.090.000 €
ITS granted amount
1.090.000 €
Executed amount
1.001.745 €
Call year
2017
Execution status
Executed
Purpose
Environment
Budget execution
Executed: 91.9%
Last data request
10.10.2023

The project

The Balearic Islands have a network of eight marine reserves that protect more than 61,800 hectares of marine ecosystems. Since their launch in 1999, they’ve proved to be effective tools for conserving biodiversity, ensuring the future of professional fishing and promoting activities such as diving, which help to encourage off-peak tourism thanks to the quality of their waters in autumn.

In recent years, a lack of financial and human resources had undermined the monitoring of these areas, thus reducing effectiveness and visibility. A reduction in staff in previous parliamentary terms meant a reduction in the government’s presence at sea and its capacity to control fishing practices, highlighting an urgent need for reinforcement.

The programme has focused on recruiting new surveillance agents at the most recent reserves across the Pityusic Islands, acquiring technology for control and monitoring, and improving control over professional fishing boats. Work has also been carried out towards monitoring fish stocks to assess the evolution and sustainability of species.

With an investment of almost €1 million, this programme has made the marine reserves operational again as key areas for environmental protection. The initiative underlines the islands’ commitment to the responsible management of the marine environment, ensuring its conservation for future generations and as a sustainable tourism asset.