Government and Formentera Consell agree to expand Los Freus Marine Reserve by 5,600 hectares

This Wednesday, July 17, at the headquarters of the Consell Insular of Formentera, the eleventh meeting of the Monitoring Commission for the Marine Reserves of Los Freus of Ibiza and Formentera and Punta de Sa Creu was held.

During this meeting, the Directorate General of Fisheries of the Balearic Government, at the request of the sector and the Consell Insular of Formentera, proposed expanding the Marine Reserve of Los Freus toward Baix Fondo (in outer waters), which would increase its area by approximately 5,600 hectares and connect it with the Marine Reserve of Punta de Sa Creu. This would bring the total extension of the Reserve from just over 15,500 hectares to 21,190 hectares.

The Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, who participated in the meeting, stated that "the initiative to expand the Marine Reserve, always with the sector’s agreement and consensus, is a new step forward in the sustainability of fishery resources and the conservation of marine biodiversity." He also noted that the plan is to open the proposal to public consultation during the last week of July and to submit it in September to the relevant advisory bodies of the Balearic Islands for mandatory opinions. "Undoubtedly," he emphasized, "this marks a significant milestone in protecting the marine environment of our islands and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to preserving fishery resources."

Grau also reported that data were presented regarding surveillance and monitoring of regulated activities and fish population tracking in the two marine reserves, along with the analysis of the “green boxes” data. Regarding fish population monitoring in Los Freus, results from the latest campaign, conducted in May 2025, are very positive. Species richness has tripled in the integral reserve and increased by 1.4 times in the general reserve and control points compared to the first census in May 2000. Regarding biomass of commercial fish, increases are 700% in the integral reserve (13.3 kg/250 m²), 500% in the partial reserve (10.8 kg/250 m²), and 300% in the control areas (4.2 kg/250 m²). "Currently, biomass in the partial reserve is double that in open fishing areas, and in the integral reserve it is triple, even considering that biomass in open fishing areas has tripled over the past 25 years. The results are spectacular," said Grau.

Regarding the monitoring of regulated activities in the reserves, data were presented on recreational fishing and diving—though diving only takes place in the Los Freus reserve. As for recreational fishing, there are 530 registered boats in Los Freus and 242 in Punta de Sa Creu. In Los Freus, the main modality is squid fishing, while in Punta de Sa Creu, rock fishing prevails. Diving activity in Los Freus remains stable year after year, with 13,079 dives recorded in 2024, mainly concentrated in Punta Gavina, La Plataforma, and Els Daus.

During the meeting, Grau expressed appreciation for the exchange of opinions, questions, and proposals on various issues related to the reserves, "which highlights the wisdom and necessity of convening the Commission." Among the topics discussed—besides the expansion of the Los Freus Reserve—were the possibility of creating integral reserves and regulating diving.

It’s important to remember that the Commission includes representatives from the involved administrations—the Balearic Government and the Island Councils of Formentera and Ibiza—along with professional and recreational fishers from the Pityusic Islands, dive centers, yacht clubs, scientific institutions, and conservation organizations.

Marine reserves are fishery conservation tools that regulate uses and exploitation of marine resources with the aim of encouraging natural regeneration and preserving marine ecosystems. One of their primary functions is maintaining small-scale fishing. In the Balearic Islands, which currently have twelve marine reserves covering more than 63,700 hectares, it has been shown that without these reserves, artisanal fishing would struggle to survive. These areas have more and larger fish, and species that are rare elsewhere are more common. Catches are higher in both quantity and quality. Additionally, marine reserves have become major attractions for recreational diving, with more than 73,000 dives annually.

Therefore, it is essential that marine reserve management includes the input and support of the fishing sector and related organizations. To ensure public participation, all reserves have a monitoring commission.