The LIFE INTEMARES project has initiated the development of different demonstrative and innovative experiences related to governance in the marine protected areas of the marine Natura 2000 marine Network.

The LIFE INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has initiated the development of different demonstrative and innovative experiences related to governance in the marine protected areas of the marine Natura 2000 Network.

One of these experiences is the Taula de Cogestió marítima del Litoral del Baix Empordà. It is a permanent space for participation, promoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya and formally constituted in 2019, to respond to the desire of the agents of the territory to improve the management and planning of the uses and activities of the protected area and make them compatible with the conservation of the natural heritage.

Among its objectives is the development of a new marine governance model based on co-management and its application in the area of the Natura 2000 Coastal Network of the Baix Empordà protected area.

The LIFE INTEMARES project, with the support of ARC Environmental Mediation, collaborates with the operation of this innovative initiative and the study of its sustainability in the medium and long term. On the one hand, the initial situation of governance of the Taula de Cogestió will be analysed with a series of indicators on its efficiency, according to the Governance Strategy for the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network developed within the framework of the project.

In addition, an analysis of the lessons learned and results in the previous trajectory of the Taula will be carried out, as well as recommendations and proposals for the technical, regulatory and financing operation of the initiative, which may also be useful for other protected areas of the marine Natura 2000 Network.

Likewise, specialized accompaniment will be provided to the members of the table and support to the technical secretariat to facilitate collaborative work in the coming years, to carry out the proposed actions, design new actions in the medium term and support the expansion of the map of actors.

OTHER INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES

The initiatives supported by LIFE INTEMARES are aligned with the Governance Strategy for the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network and the Guide to participatory processes, tools developed in the project and which aim to optimise governance structures to improve the effectiveness of the management of marine protected areas, carry out innovative management of the sea, design and implement participatory processes and promote the development of management capacities for marine protected areas.

In the coming years, and gradually, the lines of action and tools of the Governance Strategy will be tested in at least four other demonstrative experiences, in coordination with other actions of the project.

These initiatives will make it possible to put into practice various governance measures included in the Strategy in different areas of the RN2000, identifying good practices and lessons learned in terms of structures, regulations, participation of actors and training, which can then be transferred to other marine protected areas with the ultimate goal of improving governance.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS

The LIFE INTEMARES project advances towards the objective of achieving an effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as basic tools.

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 and the Sub-Directorate for the Protection of the Sea; 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.