Location: Isla de Alborán is approximately in the center of the Alboran sea (35º56´20´´- 35º56´35´´N and 3º01´45´´- 3102´10´´O); to the West there is the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, and it is a transition area between these two basins with drastically different oceanographic characteristics. The little Isla de Alborán, from volcanic origin, is the emerged part of a submarine mountain range that extends some 150 km towards the NE-SE. The island divides the eastern and western basins of the Alboran sea, and its surface does not exceed 7 hectares. The drylands of Djibouti and Torrox rise from a 1,000-1,200 m deep base, up to 250- 300 m.
Area Characteristics: The island is surrounded by a dense plateau, relatively shallow and flat, and in the Alboran sea there is one of the most prominent places for cetaceans in Europe; 17 different species have been sighted, including: the common and striped bottlenose dolphin, black and grey pilot whale, sperm whale, and rorqual whale, among others, apart from a rich presence of logger head turtle.
Among the most prominent impressions is the sound pollution due to the gas and oil explorations on the seabed, the intense sea traffic, and specifically, the military maneuvers with the use of high-frequency sonar, which have a significant impact in the area. The installation of gas pipelines and telecommunication wiring on the seabed are intensifying its impact. Additionally, the Alboran Sea receives intense commercial shipping, in many cases with dangerous goods that cross over the drylands of Torrox and Djibouti. Recreational fishing and the presence of allochthonous species also endangers this environment.
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