The Marine Forum Concludes Its Sixth Edition in Maó with a Day Dedicated to Protecting the Mediterra

Spain has committed to protecting 30% of its marine surface by 2030. This goal is part of the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy and the State Strategic Plan for Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which also aims for the strict protection of at least 10% of the total protected marine surface.

One of the speakers was Txema Brotons, scientific director of TURSIOPS, who presented the proposal for the declaration to create a Marine Protected Area in the north of Menorca where it has been proven to be a breeding area for sperm whales. After finishing his speech, he joined the round table moderated by Irene Estaún, an environmental scientist currently working on the development of the INTERREG EuroMED ARTEMIS project, focused on the restoration of posidonia and the evaluation of ecosystem services, which included Victor Carretero, responsible for the marine environment line at GOB Menorca, who provided data on protection in Menorca, and Noelia Hernández, ocean policy consultant at Oceana Europe, who gave a more general overview of the situation of the Spanish coasts.

Both Víctor and Noelia collaborate with the MED30 initiative, a project led by Oceana, the Marilles Foundation, and Ecologists in Action, whose goal is to achieve effective protection of 30% of the Spanish Mediterranean by 2030, with at least 10% under strict protection. Within this initiative, Oceana has led a report on the current strict protection in Spanish waters and the urgency of establishing these marine spaces urgently to ensure the achievement of the 10x30 goal.

Txema Brotons' conference focused on the work developed for the sperm whale breeding area in the north of Menorca and the process followed to verify the importance of this area.

During his intervention, the scientific director of TURSIOPS contextualized the ecological value of the species as a regulator of deep-water populations and a minimizer of climate change. Additionally, he introduced a new concept in conservation as "non-human culture," referring to the intrinsic cultural aspects of the sperm whale. "As cultural animals, they have a differentiation in language, which is transmitted among individuals." That is, the sounds they emit to communicate with each other in the Mediterranean are different from those of their Atlantic cousins. Their conservation involves not only the animal itself but also these cultural aspects," explained Txema Brotons.

Brotons concluded by emphasizing the need to create a Marine Protected Area: "North Menorca Sperm Whale Nursery Area." For this, he will present to the administrations a proposal for a declaration of effective protection that preserves this area.

Noelia Hernández in her first intervention in the round table highlighted that "scientific evidence underscores that areas under strict protection are significantly more effective than those under partial protection. An increase in biomass, greater richness, and density of organisms, as well as faster recovery of ecosystems, are observed. These benefits not only favor the environment but also have a positive impact on the blue economy, particularly in fisheries and tourism, creating a more productive, stable, and sustainable environment in the future."

Hernández highlighted some examples of strict protection in the Balearics such as the Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest (RMIP) of Illa del Aire, RMIP of the Northeast Coast of Ibiza-Tagomago, and the RMIP of the Freus de Ibiza and Formentera, where the biomass and/or species richness are notably higher in integral reserve areas compared to partial protection zones and the control zone.

The Oceana study highlights that, despite advances made by some autonomous communities and the central government, the percentage of Spanish marine surface under strict protection is minimal, totaling less than 0.2%, which is far from the 10% target set by the European Union.

Among the different biogeographic regions, only 0.014% of Spanish waters have strict protection, with the Mediterranean being the region that represents the highest percentage, with 0.012%. Regarding autonomous communities, the Balearics stand out for having the highest percentage of strict protection, although this figure represents just 0.005% of the total Spanish waters.

"These data show the urgent need to expand areas under strict protection. Expanding marine areas under strict protection is not only an environmental necessity but also a strategic investment for the social and economic well-being of the country, especially coastal communities," concluded Noelia Hernández.

Within the situation in the Balearics, Menorca is best positioned to meet the 30X30 commitments. Víctor Carretero, responsible for the marine environment at GOB Menorca, highlighted that "If we count all the protection figures we have around Menorca, we have 65% of the territorial sea with preservation figures. If we add the marine part of the Biosphere Reserve, then we have 100% of the territorial sea of Menorca with some form of protection, but having some of these figures is not enough to reach the 30X30 commitment since management plans are also requested."

"In this case," continued Carretero, "protection figures with management plans in Menorca are 35%, although it would be a bit misleading since the Menorca channel, which would be the largest extension, only has a single management plan that prohibits trawling in a very small area. So, the 35% would not be achieved."

According to the representative of GOB, Menorca would have done its homework if we talk about protection figures with management plans, but if we want to analyze how many areas with maximum protection exist, there would only be 0.31% of the territorial sea. "A few years ago, we reached 0.35% but the area of strict protection of Illa del Aire was reduced, so we only have the 0.31% mentioned before," concluded Victor Carretero.