Sailing speed limited to 10 knots and jet skis prohibited in the Isla del Aire

The draft order sets a maximum speed of 10 knots and bans the circulation of jet skis within the Marine Reserve.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment has opened the public consultation process for the draft order regulating vessel speed within the Isla del Aire Marine Reserve and group scuba diving activities in the marine reserves of Menorca, with the aim of strengthening the protection of marine resources and ensuring the sustainability of activities linked to the marine environment.

The draft proposes setting a maximum speed of 10 knots for vessels within the Isla del Aire Marine Reserve, as well as prohibiting the use of jet skis, as has already been done in Mallorca in the Llevant and Sa Dragonera marine reserves and in the special protection zones of the Toro and Malgrats islands.

Marine reserves are fisheries conservation areas that regulate the use and exploitation of marine resources in order to promote their natural regeneration and preserve the most representative marine ecosystems. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that underwater noise of human origin has harmful effects on marine biodiversity, and that in areas with high maritime traffic such as the surroundings of Isla del Aire, this impact is closely linked to vessel speed.

For this reason, and applying the precautionary principle, it is considered necessary to limit the maximum navigation speed within the Marine Reserve. The initiative also responds to a request made by the plenary session of the Sant Lluís Town Council, which unanimously urged the Government of the Balearic Islands on April 30, 2025, to regulate vessel speed in this protected marine area.

The Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, highlighted that “marine reserves not only contribute to the recovery of fishery resources, but also protect ecosystems that are very sensitive to impacts derived from human activity.” Grau added that “reducing navigation speed is a measure consistent with marine biodiversity conservation and with a more respectful and sustainable model of sea use.”

Furthermore, the draft order also regulates group scuba diving with air tanks in the marine reserves of Menorca, with the aim of ensuring orderly development compatible with the conservation of marine resources. Diving is a common activity in marine reserves thanks to the increase in fish populations and size, which have made these areas attractive for recreational and tourist diving.

In this regard, Antoni M. Grau noted that “marine reserves have become an important reference for diving tourism, with more than 73,000 dives per year in the marine reserves of the Balearic Islands, of which more than 16,000 take place in the marine reserves of Menorca.” He also emphasized that “it is advisable to promote a harmonious development of diving compatible with the conservation of marine resources and to improve its regulation.”

Thus, the project foresees the installation of eight fixed buoys for authorized diving centers: two in the Isla del Aire Marine Reserve and six in the Northern Menorca Marine Reserve. These buoys will be for exclusive use by authorized centers and will prevent anchoring directly on the seabed.

Finally, the draft order also modifies the composition of the Menorca Marine Reserves Monitoring Commission and the Group of Experts on Sharks and Rays to incorporate entities linked to marine conservation, strengthening participation and coordination with social, scientific, and environmental stakeholders.

With this initiative, the Government continues advancing in consolidating the network of marine reserves in the Balearic Islands as a key tool for marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable fisheries management. Currently, the Balearic Islands have one of the most extensive networks of marine reserves in the Mediterranean, with 12 reserves and more than 63,700 hectares protected.

The draft order will be available for consultation during the public information period, during which citizens and organizations may submit comments and contributions.

Link to the Citizen Participation Portal
Link to the Transparency Portal