The Medits campaign assesses the state of marine species in Ibiza and Formentera

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food initiated this Saturday, August 10, the 2024 Medits scientific research campaign to analyze the status of some of the marine species of greatest fishing interest in Ibiza and Formentera.

According to a government statement, this annual campaign is conducted aboard the scientific research vessel 'Miguel Oliver', and the work will continue until next Thursday, August 22. The oceanographic vessel 'Miguel Oliver' is equipped with cutting-edge technology for navigation and for fishery and oceanographic research.

These activities, funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFFA), are developed in coordination with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), which is in charge of the scientific direction, and involve about twenty researchers.

The Ministry provides the use and equipment of the ships to the research personnel and makes available to scientists the most suitable instrument for the specific purposes of each campaign, while trying to optimize resources for the best possible scientific knowledge and fishery management.

The Medits campaign, conducted every year during the summer season, includes the biological study and characterization of fish populations and assesses the impact of fishing on the ecosystems of the deep-sea fishing grounds around the Pityusic Islands.

The work will allow for the characterization of the communities and habitats of the area through the collection of sediments and the gathering of oceanographic data from the water masses. Additionally, the census of marine birds will be determined, and the trophic relationships among the different species will be studied.

The campaigns are part of the National Basic Data Program for the sustainable management of sea resources, based on obtaining the best possible scientific data.

The results of these assessments are presented at the working groups of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has highlighted its efforts in developing research campaigns aboard its oceanographic vessels 'Emma Bardán', 'Miguel Oliver', and 'Vizconde de Eza'.

These three vessels conduct more than 500 research days each year in campaigns both nationally and internationally, involving teams of scientists who assess the status of fisheries with the goal of achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield.