Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

General:

Re-evaluation and adaptation of the Natura 2000 Network in the Strait-Alboran Demarcations for cetaceans, through an ecosystem and cost study.

Specific:

1. Update Data on cetaceans in Alborán-Estrecho.

2. Ecosystem and cost analysis of marine protected areas in the Alboran Sea.

3. Demonstration program.

4. Project communication

A1 Carrying out a cetacean monitoring campaign in the Estrecho Alborán demarcation. Semi-random transects will be carried out, following the recommendations of the CETAPROT program, and of the Mistic I and II.

A2 Preparation of layers of fishing activities in collaboration with fisheries organizations

A3 Preparation of the rest of the cost layers (in collaboration with the public participation department of the Intemares project.

A4 Application of Marxan-type ® models, for cost analysis in the current delimitation, and to configurations that are defined with public administrations, INTEMARES partners, and social, blue economy and professional groups in Andalusia

A5 Preparation of a methodological guide and R codes for the execution of the program.

A6 Preparation of a website that allows the distribution of the material obtained (everything will have Common creative licenses).

A7 Communication plan for the broad project.

A8 Project coordination meetings

The CIRCE project on the Alboran Sea has achieved its objectives. Based on a cetacean monitoring campaign in the Estrecho Alborán demarcation, with 45 days of sampling and more than 2,000 km of effort, 89 cetacean sightings were recorded, which were added to the 5,000 cetacean sightings recorded in the period 1992-2021.

In addition, through an interview program, information was obtained from 55 fishermen and studies of possible impacts of maritime traffic on bottlenose dolphins were carried out, as well as an evaluation of the economic impact of whale watching and the impacts produced by fishing. This study collected 14 layers of pressures, both from chemical sources and from maritime traffic.

Finally, Marxan-type models were applied for the analysis of costs in the current delimitation and to the 32 configurations of protected natural areas in the Alboran Sea proposed, at the disposal of the Biodiversity Foundation, through its public participation department within the framework of INTEMARES.