The director of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of the Environment, María Artola, presented today in Palma de Mallorca the project “Conservation of the biodiversity of the sea and the Mediterranean coast through good professional and business practices of SMEs in Mallorca”, developed by the Grup d’Ornithologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa, GOB. During this event, María Artola was accompanied by the director of this initiative, Toni Font.

The project is part of the Operational Programme “Entrepreneurship and Continuous Training” of the European Social Fund (F.S.E.) during the period 2000-2006 of which the Biodiversity Foundation is the manager. The programme of actions carried out within the operational programme is aimed at improving the training and environmental awareness of workers in small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed professionals, as well as disadvantaged groups: women, employees over 45 years of age, low-skilled workers and the disabled, related to the environmental sector.

“Conservation of the biodiversity of the Mediterranean sea and coastline through good professional and business practices of SMEs in Mallorca” is especially aimed at workers of SMEs, and the self-employed and workers from disadvantaged groups. The main objective of this initiative is to raise awareness of the need to reduce some of the impacts that economic activity generates on the marine and coastal environment, where sometimes the concentration of tourist and recreational activity causes significant environmental imbalances.

The planned actions are aimed at SMEs in the family service sector and self-employed professionals, especially related to boat maintenance, who are given guidelines on how to reduce their impacts on the marine environment, simply by modifying some habits or making small decisions that reduce the consumption of resources or discharges.

Thus, this initiative aims to advance in the preservation of the marine environment by analysing firstly, the current situation of SMEs and their workers, and also of self-employed workers on environmental management, and offering alternative materials and proposals. It also includes the implementation of awareness-raising actions, the holding of training courses related to the reduction of impacts on the marine environment such as the adequate reduction of waste, the publication of a guide to good business and professional practices to conserve the sea and the coast. In addition, awareness-raising actions are carried out such as the publication of informative material and the holding of various training days. This initiative also provides for the consolidation of an environmental observatory that collects all the experiences carried out to share them with other companies and professionals.

This project also offers specific support materials so that workers and self-employed workers can learn about the best alternatives for each activity and situation, with specific applicable measures and theoretical training that improves their possibilities of professional development and job stability. Conferences and courses are also held to raise awareness, on the one hand among workers to improve their training and adaptability in employment, and on the other hand for the owners of SMEs, as ultimately responsible for decisions about the implementation of corrective measures in their activity.

Among the activities planned within the project is the travelling exhibition “Vive el mar” (Live the sea) which is currently hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma de Mallorca. This exhibition aims to raise awareness about the importance of the natural values found in the sea, offer basic information on the main impacts and provide alternatives for a more respectful behavior with this environment.