The European Commission has selected us as finalists for the Natura 2000 awards for our work in marine conservation in recent years, especially within the framework of the LIFE+ INDEMARES project, which ended in 2014. These awards are given to the best initiatives carried out in this European network of protected areas.

In this edition, the LIFE+ INDEMARES project is recognized, which had the joint work of more than 300 professionals from administrations, the scientific community, NGOs and sectors involved. This initiative made it possible to increase the marine protected area from 1 to 8%, which has made Spain one of the European countries with the most complete and scientifically sound marine Natura 2000 Network.

The candidacy for the Natura 2000 awards is a recognition of the results obtained and the coordinated work to promote the protection of our seas. Specifically, the initiative competes for these awards in the Conservation category, in which only seven projects from all over Europe have been selected.

In addition, we are eligible for the European Citizen’s Award, a category in which the 25 finalists of the awards participate and which is awarded by popular vote. The deadline to vote on the candidacy of LIFE+ INDEMARES through the  Natura 2000 awards website. The European Commission will announce the winners on 17 May at a ceremony in Brussels.

AN UNPRECEDENTED PROJECT

LIFE+ INDEMARES has been one of the largest European initiatives for the knowledge and conservation of the marine environment. The 150 oceanographic campaigns that were carried out in five years obtained valuable information on habitats, birds, cetaceans, turtles and other species of community interest.

The scientific knowledge generated made it possible to declare 49 protected marine areas, 39 Special Protection Areas for Birds and 10 Sites of Community Importance. In addition, 50 new species were discovered.

The project, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, had the involvement of numerous entities, and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the CSIC, Alnitak, CEMMA, Oceana, SECAC, SEO/Birdlife and WWF-Spain participated as partners.

This initiative has made it possible to launch the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, the largest marine conservation project in Europe, which is coordinated by the Ministry to achieve effective and participatory management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network. 

Do you want to know more about our actions at LIFE IP INTEMARES?

You can follow our twitter @FBiodiversidad and through the hashtag #Intemares, we keep you informad@ of all the news and performances. Shortly, in addition, all the information about the project will be available on a new website on which we are working. And to learn about the progress of what is the largest marine conservation project in Europe, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter through the following link:  link.