The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment and the coastal Autonomous Communities have today strengthened the cooperation mechanisms for the joint management of the Spanish seas and coasts within the framework of the largest nature conservation project granted to Spain, the LIFE IP INTEMARES, coordinated by the Ministry through the Biodiversity Foundation.
The meeting, chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment, María García Rodríguez, was attended by representatives of seven Autonomous Communities and Cities with responsibility for the management of marine Natura 2000 Network sites, Ceuta, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Galicia, Andalusia, the Valencian Community and Melilla. García was accompanied by the general director of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea, Raquel Orts, and by the director of the Biodiversity Foundation, Sonia Castañeda.
The Secretary of State for the Environment thanked the autonomous communities for their support of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, which has been “key” to its approval by the European Union.
For the Ministry, it is one of the most important challenges to be addressed in the coming years to achieve a Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment managed in an effective and integrated manner, with the active participation of the sectors involved and research as a basic tool for decision-making, contributing to a development model based on sustainability and innovation.
“It is everyone’s responsibility and we must work together to achieve common objectives,” said the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Actions requiring joint cooperation include the development of management plans and the updating of existing ones, as well as pilot projects for monitoring and monitoring the marine environment with new technologies. Joint work will also be carried out on the development and approval of conservation strategies for endangered marine species, among other actions.
INTEGRATION OF POLICIES, FUNDS AND ACTORS
The LIFE IP INTEMARES is the first initiative at the national level that combines different European funds for the management of an entire network of protected areas. With a budget of 49.8 million, it has the contribution of the European Union’s LIFE Programme. The European Social Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will also contribute to its development.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment coordinates the project through the Biodiversity Foundation and acts as a partner through the Directorate-General for Coastal and Sea Sustainability. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography, WWF-Spain, SEO/BirdLife and the Spanish Fisheries Confederation are also partners. In addition, it has the support and collaboration of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds and more than 30 organizations.
Over the next eight years, an extensive programme of actions will be implemented linked to research, monitoring and surveillance, conservation, governance and participation, as well as communication, awareness and environmental education on marine biodiversity and the Natura 2000 Network. With this initiative, Spain will be able to comply with the international commitment to effectively and sustainably protect more than 10% of its marine area.
