The LIFE INTEMARES project, which we coordinate from the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, is facing its final phase, which will run until 2024.

The LIFE INTEMARES project, which we coordinate from the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, is facing its final phase, which will run until 2024, with the aim of moving towards the effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network and thus contributing to reaching 30% of the marine area protected by 2030.

In this fifth year of the project, the planned campaigns carried out by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) with large oceanographic vessels have come to an end. At the moment, the data and scientific information collected are being analysed, which will be the basis for the preparation of the management plans for Sites of Community Importance (SCI) of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as the possible proposal for the declaration of new protected areas due to their importance for marine habitats.

Among the most recent findings in the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel is the description of a genus (Foraminospongia) and three species of sponges new to science: Foraminospongia balearica, Foraminospongia minuta and Paratimea massutii, which shows the value of this space as a refuge for biodiversity in the Mediterranean.

SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

On the other hand, progress continues in the process of evaluation and proposal for the expansion of the marine Natura 2000 Network, a work that has had the participation of more than 150 scientists from 65 Spanish organizations in the fields of research, conservation and management of the marine environment.

With regard to the planning of marine spaces, work continues on the participatory processes initiated by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for the management plans of nine SCIs/Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) in the Valencian Community and 24 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the Canary Islands. 

Likewise, the hearing and public information process for the Master Plan of the Network of Marine Protected Areas of Spain (RAMPE) has been completed and its approval is expected in the first half of 2022.

Among the participatory processes, the one aimed at agreeing on common guidelines, criteria and recommendations that guide and prioritise the management and conservation actions of Posidonia oceanica and other marine phanerogams in Spanish waters has also been initiated, in a coordinated manner with the responsible administrations and experts.

In 2021, actions have also been launched to protect the seabed of the Natura 2000 Network from marine litter. Specifically, work has begun to minimise the impact of marine litter for the preparation of protocols for fishing for rubbish and removal of lost and abandoned fishing gear.

Thus, more than 800 different organizations have been involved in the project. In addition, the execution of 311 projects linked to the objectives and actions of LIFE INTEMARES, financed through different calls for aid from the Biodiversity Foundation, has been supported.

SPECIES CONSERVATION

During this year, LIFE INTEMARES has participated in the marking and release of 10 one-year-old loggerhead turtle hatchlings , five of them born on the Andalusian coast and another five on the Catalan coast. Along these lines, a training course has also been given on loggerhead turtle tagging to ensure the survival of their nests.

In relation to other species, a study has been launched on the events that have occurred in the interaction of killer whales with boats, as well as the bases of a pilot study to be carried out in the coming year in order to test prevention measures. On the other hand, a pilot study of collisions between sperm whales and boats in the Balearic Islands has been tendered in order to prevent the mortality of this endangered species.

A campaign has also been carried out to mark specimens of the Balearic shearwater, the most endangered seabird in Europe, in order to contribute to increasing their knowledge through the study of their movements and behaviour.

In addition, progress has been made in the preparation of the draft conservation strategy for the shag, as well as the recovery plans for the pen shell and porpoise. It is also worth noting the progress in the drafting of the Strategy for the Control and Surveillance of the invasive Asian algae, Rugulopteryx okamurae.

In terms of surveillance and monitoring, work has begun on the development of pilot projects for the monitoring of marine species and habitats through the use of new technologies, as well as studies on the presence and impact of non-native marine species in Natura 2000 Network areas.

TRAINING

Within the framework of the training programme for public administrations of the LIFE INTEMARES project, a training course on the protection and conservation of the marine environment has been given to technical staff of the Maritime Rescue and Safety Society (SASEMAR), as well as to new environmental agents of the marine environment of the Directorate General for Biodiversity. Forests and Desertification of MITECO.

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

With the aim of presenting the project and exchanging experiences with other countries, we have participated in various international forums, including the IUCN World Congress for Nature Conservation, EU Regions Week, the Forum on Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean, as well as the annual meeting of the Ocean Governance project and the seminar organized by the European Commission in the context of the commitments of the Strategy of Biodiversity of the EU.

At the national level, the methodology “Risk analysis of the marine protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network against climate change” has been presented within the framework of the National Environment Congress (CONAMA).

In relation to the impact of the project, the results of the study on the evaluation and valuation of the marine ecosystem services of the Natura 2000 Network in Spain, which has been prepared by the Autonomous University of Madrid, and which highlights the economic, cultural and environmental value of marine ecosystem services related to carbon absorption, have been presented. fishing and tourism.

PARTNERS OF LIFE INTEMARES

The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge coordinates the project. The ministry itself, through the Directorate-General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, as well as the Environment and Water Agency; the Spanish Institute of Oceanography; AZTI; the University of Alicante; the Polytechnic University of Valencia; the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union.