New measures to conserve cetaceans


New measures to conserve cetaceans



The Mediterranean corridor has just received consideration as a Marine Protected Area due to its ecological value




The Migration Corridor of Cetaceans of the Mediterranean has been declared as a Marine Protected Area, a continuous strip of maritime waters of 46,385 km2 of surface and about 85 km of average width, that runs between the Catalan and Valencian coast, and the Balearic archipelago.

These waters have a great ecological value and constitute a migration corridor of cetaceans of vital importance for their survival in the Western Mediterranean. Not in vain, it is used by a great diversity of species of cetaceans and sea turtles as a migratory step towards their breeding and feeding areas in the north.

The designation of Marine Protected Area implies that various measures will be taken to guarantee this protection. Thus, among other issues, work is being done on a plan to reduce marine noise, or the prohibition of new hydrocarbon prospects.

It should be noted that noise is one of the main problems of these marine waters. The consequences of this submarine noise in cetaceans and sea turtles can affect, inter alia, interference in communication and social cohesion; the interruption of vital activities, such as feeding, reproduction or migration; the abandonment of essential habitats; changes in swimming and diving patterns, impediment in the detection of predators, as well as disorientation and massive strandings.

From now on, active systems for underground geological research can not be used, either by means of probes, compressed air or controlled explosions or by means of underground drilling (except those related to research or exploitation permits in force). Nor will any hydrocarbon extractive activity be allowed (except those related to research permits in force).

Participatory processes

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition intends to have socio-economic agents and users involved to approve the corresponding management plan and to do this they will initiate participatory processes.

The cetacean migration corridor of the Mediterranean is considered a hot spot for global biodiversity. After the approval of this declaration, the international commitment to protect 10% of our waters is fulfilled. Moreover, it already exceeds 12% of marine protected area.

«In Spain already exceeds 12% of marine protected area after the last declaration»

In this area of ​​the Mediterranean there is a great diversity of cetacean species, such as the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which maintains migratory patterns, as well as other cetaceans that are not governed by defined migratory patterns, such as the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). , the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), sharks and seabirds.

In addition, the development of the management plan will allow exploring the opportunities that this space can offer to preserve the conservation of marine values ​​and resources in the framework of a blue economy, which contributes to generating employment and sustainable activities. It should be noted that with this already 9 Spanish areas are considered with this special protection. The area known as El Cachucho is also a Marine Protected Area.

Preventive protection

The inclusion of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor in the List of Specially Protected Areas of Importance for the Mediterranean (Zepim List), within the framework of the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution, known as the Convention of Barcelona.

According to sources from the Ministry, the scientific data provided, on the one hand, and the application of the regulations, on the other, justify the endowment of a national protection figure for this space of the Cetacean Migration Corridor and its proposal for inclusion in the Zepim List, in addition to establishing a preventive protection regime for those activities that could put their natural values ​​at risk.

Finally, it should be noted that the objective of obtaining this declaration dates back to 2004, when the project for the identification of the Areas of Interest for the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Spanish Mediterranean, fruit of the Agreement between the then Ministry of Environment Environment and the Universities of Valencia, Barcelona and Autónoma de Madrid, already identified this area as an area of ​​special interest because it is a migratory route for cetaceans.

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