Currently, the marine reserve network includes 12 areas in Spain (9 in the Mediterranean and 3 in the Canary Islands).
El Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in Spain and the regional government of the Balearic Islands have signed the extension of an agreement to continue the joint management of the marine reserves of Levante de Mallorca-Cala Rajada and Dragonera.
This agreement aims to protect natural areas focusing on conserving and regenerating native fishing resources. Additionally, joint management will promote other sustainable recreational activities such as diving centers and ecotourism companies.
Since the creation of the Levante de Mallorca-Cala Rajada marine reserve in 2007, the ministry and the autonomous community have established a framework of action for the marine reserves.
These actions include monitoring and controlling activities, the operability of services, the conservation of technical resources, and the dissemination of information about the value of the marine reserves in the area.
The Network of Marine Reserves of Spain is guided by an ecosystem-based approach to fishing, allowing responsible fishing activities while monitoring their habitats and improving understanding and public awareness.
Currently, the reserve network comprises 12 areas (9 in the Mediterranean and 3 in the Canary Islands), covering over 103,468 hectares, with slightly over 10% designated as strict protection zones (where no activities are permitted).
Precisely, five of these reserves are solely managed by the ministry, while the remaining six are managed in collaboration with the autonomous communities.
During the general assembly of the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (Apromar), celebrated in May, The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in Spain, Luis Planas, already underlined how fishing activities could drive the blue economy and create job opportunities for coastal and rural communities.