With the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, the Submon entity is developing a project to contribute to the conservation of submerged ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea through diving practices that respect the environment. The objective of the initiative, beneficiary of the 2015 call for grants from the Biodiversity Foundation, is to achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly diving activity in the waters of the Spanish Mediterranean.

Specifically, work is being done in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in which important diving activity is carried out: the Medes Islands in Catalan waters and Isla del Toro and Malgrats Islands in Balearic waters.

The project’s technicians are working with the aim of developing a specific quality seal for diving centers. Thus, areas of relevance have been defined to evaluate the environmental sustainability of the operating activities of these centers. Work guides will also be published for these facilities, adapted to the needs and realities of the Mediterranean Sea, Spanish diving centres and Spanish and European legislation.

In addition, training and educational material will be published, from brochures and plates with decalogues of conduct aimed at divers to diving and snorkeling guides.

Another of the project’s lines of work focuses on getting various diving centers of the two MPAs involved in the initiative and being evaluated by its technicians.

Finally, work will be done on the training of the owners and teachers of these centers to make them aware of the importance of implementing sustainable professional practices to contribute to the conservation of the biodiversity of submerged ecosystems.