MARVEL. Integrated regional network of seafood areas of high ecological value in the Levantine-Balearic demarcation.

Pleamar program

The MARVEL project is based on the philosophy of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its criteria for the identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), in order to outline a regional network of marine areas of high ecological value in the Levantine-Balearic demarcation. Thus, the initiative seeks to make the conservation of marine ecosystems compatible with the sustainable development of activities such as fishing, with protection and regulation measures based on this zoning.

In contrast to current qualitative approaches, MARVEL proposes a quantifiable, reproducible and revisable mechanism for marine spatial planning. It will integrate data on biodiversity, species and habitats of fishing interest and environmental stability factors, also considering climate change. This will identify new priority areas and outline existing ones, facilitating compliance with European and international marine protection targets for 2030.

The following entities act as collaborating entities: Directorate-General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries (Generalitat de Catalunya) and MED-MSP-CoP.

Project

Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location

Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Balearic Islands, Region of Murcia

Research line

Axis 2. Protection of the Marine Environment

Execution date:

2026

End date:

2028

Project web page:

https://www.programapleamar.es/proyectos/marvel-red-regional-integrada-de-zonas-marinas-de-alto-valor-ecologico-en-la-demarcacion

Objectives

The general objective of MARVEL is to develop a clear, reproducible, reviewable and informative mechanism for the identification of priority marine areas of high ecological value, which contributes to the strengthening of an integrated regional conservation network, including national protected natural areas (marine and maritime-terrestrial) and Natura 2000 Network spaces, in order to support the protection of biodiversity and effectively guide public policies in the field of biodiversity. Levantine-Balearic demarcation.

This will be achieved through a number of specific objectives (EOs):

OE0. To ensure the effective, inclusive and accessible dissemination of the objectives, activities and results of the MARVEL project.
OE1. To comprehensively describe the MARVEL criteria, developed within the framework of this project, including their alignment with the criteria that define EBSAs (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas) and to integrate data on species and habitats of fishing interest and environmental stability factors.
OE2. To collect the spatial data necessary for the evaluation of the MARVEL criteria.
OE3. Analyze and transform the spatial data collected.
OE4: Create the MARVEL Integrated Regional Network.

MARVEL. Integrated regional network of seafood areas of high ecological value in the Levantine-Balearic demarcation.

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