The LIFE IP INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, faces a new stage marked by the reinforcement of actions that promote participation in the management of the marine protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network.
In order to learn about the actions carried out during this second year and the planning for the coming months, a delegation from the European Commission has met with the coordinators and partners of the project, which has the financial contribution of the LIFE Programme, as well as other sources of funding, such as the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
In this second year, participatory processes have been launched by all marine demarcations for the preparation of management plans, as well as governance and training strategies, which will allow progress towards more inclusive and consensual models in the management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network.
Specifically, the first steps have been taken towards the preparation of the management plans of 12 areas of the Network under the competence of the General State Administration off the coast of the Levant, as well as the 39 Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs), declared in the previous project, the LIFE+ INDEMARES, and the updating of the 24 management plans of the Macaronesian Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the El Cachucho Marine Protected Area.
The mechanisms for joint cooperation of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network with all the coastal autonomous communities and cities, as well as with other administrations and ministries, including Development, Interior, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, have also been strengthened.
Along these lines, a training plan has been developed for the Navy to improve the knowledge necessary for the management of the Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment. This training program, which has had 1,000 participants, will continue in 2019.
On the other hand, complementary actions are being financed through the EMFF, ESF and the Biodiversity Foundation’s own funds, among others. A total of 94 of these projects contribute to the objectives of LIFE IP INTEMARES.
In all the actions of the project, 550 entities and more than 2,000 participants have already been involved.
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
In this second year, progress has also been made in the declaration of new protected areas, placing Spain at the forefront of marine conservation. Thanks to the declaration of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor as a marine protected area, it has been possible to exceed 12% of marine protected waters, which makes it possible to comply with international commitments to protect at least 10% by 2020.
Likewise, the first oceanographic campaigns have been carried out in Cabo Tiñoso (Murcia) and the seabed of southern Mallorca for its possible future declaration and research has continued on the Avilés Canyon to better understand the impacts for the preparation of its management plan.
The first steps have also been taken in the development of conservation plans for porpoises, as well as for shearwaters and shearwaters. In addition, the updating of the conservation strategy of the ferruginous macaw has begun.
To guarantee the protection of sea turtle nesting on our beaches and strengthen coordination between all the agents involved, a common protocol of action is being finalized at the national level.
LIFE IP INTERNARES
The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition coordinates the LIFE INTEMARES project with the aim of achieving effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network with the active participation of the sectors involved and research as basic tools for decision-making.
The General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea of the same ministry, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain participate as partners.
More information on www.intemares.es and on the Twitter profile @LifeIntemares
