The Balearic Islands launch a plan to curb marine biodiversity loss

The document is driven by a commitment to expand marine protection, especially strictly protected areas, ensure it is real and effective, and approve conservation plans for vulnerable habitats and species.

The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, has presented the Marine Conservation Plan, a strategic document that sets out an ambitious political and technical commitment to reverse marine biodiversity loss and ensure the ecological, economic and social sustainability of the Balearic Sea.

The presentation was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet; the Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente; the Director Generals of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, and of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres; as well as representatives from the fishing sector, the nautical and recreational sectors, environmental organisations and foundations linked to marine conservation. These included the Balearic Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, OPMallorcaMar, the Marilles Foundation, Mallorca Preservation Foundation, Save The Med Foundation, Palma Aquarium Foundation, associations of diving centres, entities linked to social and recreational boating, and marine sector business clusters.

President Prohens stressed that the Plan “is born from dialogue and shared responsibility” and underlined that “marine conservation will only be possible if it is built on consensus and involves the sectors concerned.”

“Today we take a decisive step to protect our greatest natural heritage. Marine conservation is not an isolated environmental policy: it is about securing the economic and social future of the Balearic Islands,” she said.

The Marine Conservation Plan notes that “the Balearic Islands are already Mediterranean leaders in marine conservation, but they can aspire to become a global benchmark. We aim to demonstrate that economic prosperity can be reconciled with marine and coastal ecosystems in excellent condition.” This message reinforces the environmental strategy while also adding value by positioning the Balearic Islands as a high-quality destination committed to sustainability.

The Plan starts from a clear diagnosis: over the past century, the Balearic Sea has suffered a significant loss of biodiversity, vitality and resilience, with particular concern over the disappearance of large apex predators and the degradation of habitats and species.

In this context, the Government sets out a set of commitments that go beyond legal compliance, including concrete measures in protection, enforcement, fisheries management, scientific monitoring and transparency. “This Plan is not a statement of intent. It is a verifiable political commitment, with targets, percentages and timelines. It is also a way of being accountable to citizens,” Prohens emphasised.

One of the main commitments is expanding marine protection, with special emphasis on strict protection.

The Government pledges to increase tenfold the area of highly protected waters under regional jurisdiction, reaching 600 km² before 2030, with a minimum of 500 km² by 2027. In addition, it will request the Spanish Government to establish a network of strictly protected areas in offshore waters, aiming for 1,500 km² by 2028 and 3,000 km² by 2030.

New marine reserves in offshore waters are also planned, such as Baix Fondo and Sóller, always with the support of the professional fishing sector and based on scientific evidence.

Another key pillar of the Plan is ensuring protection is real and effective. To this end, the Government will strengthen surveillance of marine protected areas with additional human, material and technological resources and sufficient budget allocation.

The Plan also includes amendments to Law 6/2013 on maritime fishing, shellfishing and aquaculture, introducing new offences, increasing penalties and streamlining procedures.

It also expects the approval of conservation plans for vulnerable habitats and species. Among them is the action plan for the conservation of elasmobranchs, published in the Official Gazette on Thursday 12 February, which has guaranteed funding and may include the reintroduction of extinct species such as the angelshark and the guitarfish.

Additionally, a conservation and restoration plan for shallow bays is expected before 2027, along with the creation of expert groups and stable coordination structures.

The Government will also launch a comprehensive scientific monitoring programme for marine biodiversity and fisheries before 2027, in collaboration with research centres, the fishing sector and other stakeholders. This will provide solid data to improve resource management and marine protected areas.

The Plan also expects the organisation and annual publication of marine data, with common indicators before 2026 and an easy, automatic access system for citizens.

The Marine Conservation Plan recognises fishing as a historic and structural activity inseparable from the social and cultural fabric of the islands and positions the sector as a key ally in conservation.

Within this framework, the Government commits to integrating 50% of the professional fleet into co-management plans by 2028 and 100% by 2030, as well as launching a specific plan for trawl fisheries, including zoning and extensive exclusion areas.

Co-management plans will also be approved for the bays of Alcúdia and Pollença, green boxes will be standardised across all vessels, and local, sustainable seafood branding and certification will be promoted.

“You cannot restore the sea without fishermen. Professional and recreational fishing are part of our territory and culture, and this plan is based on respect and consensus,” the President stressed.

The Government also noted that last week the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, visited the Balearic Islands to learn first-hand about the co-management model implemented there, a European pioneer, and exchange experiences on sustainable marine resource management.

The Plan includes commitments on monitoring and funding. The Government will calculate and track public spending on marine conservation, progressively increase available resources and develop a marine natural capital accounting system.

Stakeholders will also be convened annually to assess the Plan’s level of implementation.