- The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana and involves the various public administrations, agents and users of that space
- The planning and regulation of uses and activities compatible with the conservation of the natural values of the area will be carried out
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has launched a demonstration experience of governance in the marine protected area of the Marina Alta (Alicante), declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) of the Natura 2000 Network. The objective of this demonstrative experience is to design a governance structure that includes a coordination body for the effective management of the SCI and SPA Marina Alta Marine Space of state competence, together with the adjacent terrestrial space of the SCI Penya Segats de la Marina, competence of the Generalitat Valenciana, with the involvement of all the actors present and through the use of various participation tools. This marine governance initiative, launched in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana, involves various administrations, agents and users of this protected area. The Biodiversity Foundation coordinates the project.
Participating as partners are the Ministry itself, through the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification and the Subdirectorate for the Protection of the Sea; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Department of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, 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 Fishing Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF Spain. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union.
The LIFE INTEMARES project, coordinated by the MITECO Biodiversity Foundation, will promote the operation and development of different participation tools with the collaboration of WWF Spain. Within the framework of this process, the planning and regulation of uses and activities will be carried out to allow development compatible with the conservation of the natural values of the space. The proposal will be based on the available scientific knowledge and the information provided by the different sectors involved in space. In parallel, a web platform has been created to promote social participation and various meetings will be held to share results and knowledge. A study will also be carried out to identify the financial and legislative measures and mechanisms necessary to ensure the continuity in the medium and long term of the governance experience initiated, in accordance with the Governance Strategy for the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network developed within the framework of the LIFE INTEMARES project. Finally, over the next two years, adherence to the system of recognition of the sustainability of nature tourism in the Natura 2000 Network of this natural area will be promoted, together with the Montgó-Cabo de San Antonio Site of Community Interest, as well as the companies that develop tourist activities in these spaces.
NATURAL VALUES
The protected area of the Marina Alta Marine Space SCI/SPA is located off the coasts of the municipalities of Xàbia, Benitatxell, El Poble Nou and Teulada. It has the presence of up to four types of habitats of community interest, such as posidonia meadows, shallow sandbanks, submerged and semi-submerged caves, as well as reefs. In addition, it is a space of great importance due to the presence of marine mammals such as the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), among others. It is also a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) due to the presence of the European Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), or the Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii), among other species.
