The sea cicada (Scyllarides latus), also known as the slipper or Mallorcan langoustine, is one of the most enigmatic marine species in the Mediterranean.

The sea cicada (Scyllarides latus), also known as the slipper or Mallorcan langoustine, is one of the most enigmatic marine species in the Mediterranean. This little-known crustacean, but highly coveted for its flavor, inhabits underwater caves and crevices.

Fishing pressure, illegal catches and increased human activities in their habitat have led to a drastic decline in their populations in their range – the Mediterranean and the North-East Atlantic.

However, in the last decade the creation of marine protected areas is leading to their recovery in the Mediterranean. Specifically, the protected area with the greatest potential for conservation of this species in the western Mediterranean is the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park.

Recent studies carried out in this protected area have advanced in the knowledge of the species. The results obtained show that the species hardly moves from place to place throughout the annual cycle and that management measures for the species must focus on breeding areas, as well as on strengthening surveillance in cave areas.

Along these lines, the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, will implement various measures to contribute to the conservation of sea cicada populations.

Specifically, underwater caves will be studied and mapped in the Canary and Balearic Islands, in which there is a standardised diving activity, in order to assess the impacts on submerged or semi-submerged caves for the regulation and control of diving in these areas.

In the case of the Balearic Islands, in the Menorca Channel Site of Community Importance, sea cicada censuses will be carried out during their breeding season to know the status of the species and ensure that the proposed diving regulation takes into account this species and its natural cycles.  

Active participation of the sectors involved

LIFE IP INTEMARES, the largest marine environment conservation project in Europe, aims to achieve a network of marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, managed effectively, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as basic tools for decision-making. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment also as a partner through the General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea.

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography, WWF-Spain, SEO/BirdLife and the Spanish Fisheries Confederation also participate as partners. It has the financial contribution of the European Union’s LIFE Programme, as well as the European Social Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, among other sources of funding.