According to a study that seems to confirm the long-term benefits of marine protected areas for habitat and economy, the marine protected areas established on the coast of Mallorca are not only good for the environment, but also good for business.
According to this research conducted by the non-profit Marilles Foundation, each of the 473,137 euros (£402,000) invested by the protected area for the program generated 10 euros in revenue.
Since the establishment of a 11,000-hectare (27,000-acre) marine reserve at the request of the Cala Ratjada Fishermen’s Association in 2007, the reserve has improved the fishing industry in the area, made it easier to regulate recreational activities, and slowed it down Coastal erosion and improved water quality according to this research, biodiversity.
“The results of the study show the many social and economic benefits of protecting the ocean,” said Marilles Director Aniol Esteban.
Marilles’ research-the first application of “natural capital accounting” to Spanish marine protected areas-is part of the European Marine Protected Area Network project, which aims to improve the management of Mediterranean marine protected areas.
Natural capital accounting is a practical framework. The premise is that the environment itself is an asset, and the ecosystem services it provides must be included in the national accounting system.
The data shows that the total value of MPA’s tourism, diving and boating is 3.1 million euros, and the rest comes from increased fishing.
“The marine reserve provides fish and so on,” Esteban said. “Investment in them pays off. Paradoxically, marine protected areas in the Balearic Islands and other regions Spain There is a serious shortage of funds. Marine protected areas need to be at the core of Balearic and Spain’s economic recovery strategies.
“Healthy oceans and coasts are essential to the prosperity of a country. Spain is committed to declaring 30% of its waters as marine protected areas by 2030.”
Marine protected areas are a tool for the regeneration of marine ecosystems. Its dual goal is to increase fishery resources while protecting habitats and marine species.
Facts have proved that over time, marine protected areas are one of the best ways to protect and build fish populations, which can produce larger and more abundant fish, and the number of fish in some areas has increased sixfold.
Marine protected areas in Europe have previously been Fail to protect the ocean And restore the fishery to a sustainable level. According to their report, last year, auditors concluded that there was “no meaningful sign of progress” in the Mediterranean region, where fisheries are currently at twice the sustainable level.
The Balearic Islands have a network of marine protected areas, but the Llevant MPA in eastern Majorca was chosen for research because of the quality of existing scientific information and the importance of the various economic sectors involved in its declaration and management.
The Balearic Islands have a network of marine protected areas covering 21.5% of the Balearic Sea. Compared with other regions in Spain, Europe or the Mediterranean, this is a very high percentage, although only 0.16% of the Balearic Sea is an overall protected area where fishing is completely prohibited.
