The training and citizen science activities that the MITECO Biodiversity Foundation is carrying out in coastal towns of the Mediterranean have already begun. Both initiatives are developed within the framework of the European projects LIFE A-MAR NATURA 2000 and LIFE INTEMARES, of which the Biodiversity Foundation is a partner and coordinator respectively, and whose objective is to make visible and enhance the value of the marine spaces of the Natura 2000 Network, transforming them into well-known places of public interest, whose uses and activities are compatible with their conservation.
The activities are also carried out in collaboration and coordination with the governments of the autonomous communities of Andalusia, the Region of Murcia, the Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, as well as with local entities and organizations.
The citizen science actions seek to strengthen and reinforce the participation of local population, tourists and other groups in obtaining data to increase knowledge about marine protected areas and contribute to their conservation.
This programme consists of 15 workshops distributed by areas of the Mediterranean coast of these five autonomous communities that have marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network. During this summer, a session has already been held in the town of Calabardina (Region of Murcia) and next Sunday, August 17, another session will take place in Tarifa (Cádiz).
In September, the workshops will be resumed in various locations in Malaga, Granada, Girona, Valencia and the islands of Menorca and Formentera.
Consultation of dates and activities, as well as registration, can be done through the agenda of the Biodiversity Foundation.
These activities combine a theoretical part with practical experiences to train citizens in the observation, collection and recording of data on marine biodiversity through digital tools and applications.
The theoretical contents are aimed at raising awareness of the LIFE A-MAR Natura2000 project and the fundamentals of citizen science. The active part of the workshop includes whale watching from the boat, snorkeling and walking routes for flora and fauna observation. All this adapted to the particularities of each protected area. It is expected to exceed 225 participants.
Promoting good practices
The training program includes 15 face-to-face training sessions aimed at professionals in the tourism sector linked to the marine environment, such as tour operators, nature guides, diving companies, fishing tourism and recreational nautical sector. These sessions are designed to raise awareness of the obligations and recommendations derived from the European Birds and Habitats Directives and other related regulations, as well as to promote good practices and promote the compatibility of activities with the conservation of the marine environment, especially diving activities in marine protected areas.
So far, three training sessions have been held: in Cabo de Palos, on the Calblanque space, Monte de las Cenizas and Peña del Águila (Murcia); in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, on the Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera – Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera (Ibiza) area; and in Cambrils, on the southern coast of Tarragona (Catalonia).
These three formations have reached a total of 24 tour operators. The next scheduled sessions will take place in September. in Ciutadella and Maó, both in Menorca, in Santa Pola (Alicante). A total of about 300 people are expected to participate.
Consultation of dates and activities, as well as registration, can be done through the agenda of the Biodiversity Foundation.
These actions seek to promote knowledge and the involvement of society in the conservation of the marine environment and biodiversity in areas of the Natura 2000 Network.
LIFE A-MAR
The LIFE A-MAR project is coordinated by the Italian Federation of Natural Parks and Reserves (Federparchi – Europarc Italia) and partners are Triton Research, the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge and Lipu. Co-financiers include the Asinara National Park, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and the Cinque Terre National Park. It has the financial contribution of the LIFE Program of the European Union.
Photo: Snorkeling activity in Calabardina, Águilas (Region of Murcia) © Pablo Alcázar, AMACOPE.
