The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment is currently holding three workshops with socio-economic sectors,
public administrations and scientists with the aim of promoting social participation in the development of management plans for 12 marine protected areas in the Levant, within the framework of the LIFE IP Intemares project, the largest marine conservation project in Europe, coordinated by the Ministry.
After an initial prior public consultation, the first workshop took place in Castellón, where the regulation of the activities of four of these spaces located in front of the provinces of Castellón and Tarragona was addressed: a Site of Community Importance (SCI), a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), and two more spaces. declared by both figures of protection.
This afternoon the Ministry is holding a second workshop in Xàbia (Alicante) for the preparation of the management plan for the SCI Marina Alta Marine Area. The last face-to-face workshop will take place tomorrow in Alicante, where agents and users involved in the management of seven SCIs and SPAs located in the provinces of Alicante and Murcia will participate.
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LIFE IP INTEMARES
These local meetings are held within the framework of the LIFE IP INTEMARES, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment through the Biodiversity Foundation, and in which the Ministry also acts as a partner through the General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea.
The workshops are part of a participatory process that aims to exchange information about the uses and activities carried out in marine protected areas as well as on the regulatory measures to be included in the management instruments.
With the participation of the actors involved, it will be possible to bring together positions on the management measures to be approved, so that they can make the socio-economic activities carried out compatible with the conservation of natural values.
The last face-to-face workshop will take place tomorrow in Alicante, where agents and users involved in the management of seven SCIs and SPAs located in the provinces of Alicante and Murcia will participate.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Participation is one of the hallmarks of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project. 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.
The Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain also participate as partners in the LIFE IP INTEMARES project. It has the financial contribution of the European Union’s LIFE Programme, as well as the European Social Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, among other sources of funding.
