LIFE is the European Commission’s financial instrument exclusively dedicated to supporting environmental and nature conservation projects. The acronym LIFE comes from the name in French: L'Instrument Financier de l'Environment. The program was launched in 1992, and in 2007 it became the LIFE+ Program, which will continue until 2013.
The protection of the environment is a key element for the EU’s sustainable development, and therefore is a priority for community co-financing. The projects financed by LIFE+ must contribute to the specific objectives of its three theme environments: Nature and Biodiversity, Environmental Governance Policies, and Information and Communication.
INDEMARES is a LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity project whose objective is to contribute to the application of the Birds and Habitats Directives, focusing on the habitats and species listed in the annexes of both directives.
Given the extremely wide biodiversity in Spain, which is one of the largest in the EU representing around the 50%, it is one of the main beneficiaries of these funds.
It is important to highlight that in 2007, the LIFE+ Program has exceptionally enabled financing of scientific studies in the INDEMARES project. This will permit Spain to fulfill it’s commitment with the community policies and the obligation to designate Natura 2000 Network marine areas.
The Natura 2000 Network is a European ecologic network of biodiversity conservation areas to assure the long-term survival of Europe’s most endangered species and habitats.
Natura 2000 consists of Sites of Community Interest (SCI) declared by the Member States in accordance with the Habitats Directive of 1992, and Special Protected Areas for Birds (SPA), which are designated in accordance with the Birds Directive of 1979. Likewise, within 6 years of the declaration of a SCI, the Habitats Directive foresees its final designation as a Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). The need for Member States to designate Natura 2000 sites is an important contribution to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which includes the obligation to create a network of protected marine areas by 2012.
The sea area (offshore) integrated in the Natura 2000 Network so far is less than 0.5% of Spanish territorial waters. This percentage is far from fulfilling the directives of the European Commission, so more effort is required to correctly implement the Natura 2000 Marine Network.
The declaration of new protected marine areas through the Natura 2000 Network designation will help to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable fish resources to guarantee the present and future competitiveness of the sector.
