The Biodiversity Foundation presents the integrated project for the management of the Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment to the LIFE 2015 Call of the European Commission. The general objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive management model for the marine Natura 2000 Network and to ensure that the Spanish State has a consolidated Network of Natura 2000 marine areas managed in an effective way, with the active participation of the coastal Autonomous Communities and the sectors involved, with research as a basic tool for decision-making and that generates the opportunity to contribute to a development model based on sustainability and innovation.
 
Following the LIFE+ INDEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, thanks to which the marine area protected under the marine Natura 2000 Network has increased to 8% of the total marine area, the Foundation presents the proposal INTEMARES to the LIFE 2015 Call of the European Commission.

Thus, in the coming weeks, the Biodiversity Foundation will present the project “Integrated, innovative and participatory management of the Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment (LIFE IP-PAF INTEMARES)”, which has actions that address various aspects of the management of the marine environment, such as the preparation of management plans for designated areas, monitoring and surveillance through new technologies, governance in the marine environment, conservation and restoration of habitats and species, training and public outreach and awareness.

These actions will be complemented by others financed by various European funds, mainly the European Social Fund and the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund, such as training for sea users, the promotion of entrepreneurship in the marine environment, the diversification of income of the various business sectors or the adaptation of fishing activities to the fulfilment of the objectives of the Natura 2000 Network.

The project, whose development approach covers from 2016 to 2024, has as initial partners the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, although mechanisms have been planned to incorporate new partners throughout the project.
 
The project, which was submitted to the 2014 call, has been improved, and also has the  contributions received from more than 40 scientific, fisheries, conservationist and business organizations, which is an important endorsement to renew the proposal to the LIFE 2015 Call.