MAPAMA presents the report “Baseline situation and prospects of aquaculture activity in the Natura 2000 Network in Spain”.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, has published the report “Starting situation and prospects of aquaculture activity in the Natura 2000 Network in Spain”, which has made it possible to characterise the aquaculture activities carried out in these natural areas. A study that has had the collaboration of the General Secretariat of Fisheries, the Autonomous Communities, the agents of the aquaculture and environmental sector, and the units of the Department involved in the management of the Natura 2000 Network and fishing activity.
Thus, according to the analysis carried out by the General Secretariat of Fisheries, a total of 803 aquaculture establishments have been identified, of which 357 carry out their activity in 127 Natura 2000 areas. Of these, 86 establishments are located in the continental area (24.1%), where trout, tench and sturgeon are mainly farmed, and 271 facilities (75.9%) are located in the marine area. Species such as sea bream, sea bass, turbot, bluefin tuna, sea bass and sole are raised in these species.
On the other hand, the rafts and farming parks, establishments where species as characteristic of our aquaculture as mussels, various species of clams, oysters and cockles, mainly, are raised, are not individually referenced but are framed in the Mollusc Production Areas declared by the Autonomous Communities. In our country, at the date of preparation of the report, there are 205 declared areas, of which 145 interact with 242 sites of the Natura 2000 Network (154 SCIs and 88 SPAs).
The report, which takes as a reference the document published by the European Commission in 2012 “Guidelines for Aquaculture and the Natura 2000 Network”, has made it possible to establish the compatibility of aquaculture activities with the preservation of the natural values of these areas, and may even contribute, in certain cases, to strengthening the proposed environmental objectives. while generating well-being, social and economic development.
Both studies highlight that the aquaculture sector has the knowledge and means to ensure its sustainability, especially from an environmental point of view. At the same time, it offers healthy, safe and quality products and makes it possible to launch other economic activities linked to ecotourism, gastronomy or underwater activities, among others, which can also be carried out in the Natura 2000 Network in a sustainable way.
The study can be consulted on the website http://www.observatorio-acuicultura.es/recursos/publicaciones/situacion-de-partida-y-perspectivas-de-la-actividad-acuicola-en-la-red-natura
CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK
The Natura 2000 Network is the most important instrument in nature conservation in the European Union and in biodiversity policy. It is made up of Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) and Special Areas of Conservation for Birds (SPAs) designated through the Birds Directive, whose management takes into account ecological, economic, social and cultural requirements, as well as regional and local particularities.
Spain is the European country that contributes the largest area to the Natura 2000 Network, which in our country is made up of 1,467 Sites of Community Importance (SCI), and 647 Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs), which together comprise a total area of around 210,000 km2. Of this area, more than 137,000 km2 correspond to land area, which represents approximately 27% of the national territory, and about 72,500 km2 to marine surface.
