Support to the LIFE+ INDEMARES Project to include 10 marine protected areas in the NATURA 2000 network

 

 

On June 5th, the cabinet approved an agreement to create a network of 10 protected marine areas in Spanish waters, to be included in the NATURA 2000 Marine Network. This initiative fulfills the EU Member States obligation to extend the NATURA 2000 Network to the marine environment.   

 

The INDEMARES project, which has been promoted by Spain and has the approval of the European Commission, will enable the study of ten areas including the scientific studies necessary to identify the habitats and species present, as well as study the fishing activities to evaluate their impact on the marine environment.

 

With all this information, new Community Interest Sites (CIS) or Special Protected Areas for Birds (SPAB) will be proposed. Likewise, corrective measures agreed upon with the fishing sector will be proposed so that this activity is sustainable and ecologically acceptable. The creation of new protected marine zones will benefit not only the fishing sector but also the whole fishing community in the mid/long-term.

 

The NATURA 2000 Network represents a structure of natural sites along the European territory that ensures the protection of the most important wild European sites. Spain contributes 25% of its land territory and 0.5% of its marine environment to the NATURA 2000 Network.  

 

Through this agreement, the Secretary General of Sea Affairs will work in a coordinated manner to execute this project, together with the rest of the partners as well as the fishing sector through the fishing guilds.

 

 

    posted 8 September 2009