The partners of LIFE INTEMARES have participated today in the tenth management committee of the project, where it has been shown that the basic pillars to achieve an effective management of marine protected areas in Spain are strengthened, through participation and scientific research.
The partners of LIFE INTEMARES have participated today in the tenth management committee of the project, where it has been shown that the basic pillars to achieve an effective management of marine protected areas in Spain are strengthened, through participation and scientific research.
Representatives of the Biodiversity Foundation and the Sub-Directorate General of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife, WWF Spain, as well as AZTI, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the University of Alicante and the Polytechnic University of Valencia participated in this virtual meeting.
In its fourth year of implementation, the LIFE INTEMARES project has reached the halfway point with the goal of moving towards the priorities set by the European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy of reaching 30% of the marine protected area by 2030.
The project works to ensure that this increase in marine protected areas is associated with the improvement of knowledge, as well as the strengthening of coordination and a governance structure from a participatory approach that integrates all managers and seafarers.
Since its inception in 2017, various actions have been developed related to research, conservation, surveillance, governance, training, as well as awareness and education that allow progress towards the effective protection of the marine environment.
RESEARCH
Science is one of the foundations on which the effective management of marine protected areas is based. For this reason, actions have been promoted to improve knowledge of the Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment.
As explained during the committee, the level of protection of our seas is being analysed in order to draw up proposals to expand and complete this network of protected areas in Spain.
On the other hand, 15 oceanographic campaigns have been carried out to improve scientific knowledge. In this area, we have explored Cabo Tiñoso, Cap Bretón and the seamounts of Mallorca to learn about the habitats and species present in these spaces for their possible declaration as Natura 2000 Network spaces.
PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES AND TRAINING
LIFE INTEMARES has initiated 10 participatory processes to actively involve socio-economic sectors and citizens in the development of strategies and management plans that make it possible to make uses and activities compatible with the conservation of natural values in marine protected areas.
On the other hand, governance and training strategies will make it possible to move towards more inclusive models in the management of marine protected areas. A participatory process has been launched for the development of the training strategy with the involvement of 290 participants.
As a result of this process, training priorities have been identified and are being developed. So far, 16 training sessions have been given to Public Administrations on the management of the Natura 2000 Network and marine biodiversity aimed at the Civil Guard, Navy, as well as technicians from autonomous communities and the General State Administration.
