Context and challenge

Migratory marine mammals and sea turtles are impacted by human activities in many parts of the world’s oceans and seas. In the Mediterranean Sea, cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) and sea turtles are impacted during migration by three main types of human activities. Marine traffic poses threats from the noise pollution generated by the ships and the risk of collisions. Underground geological research and oil and gas exploitation may cause negative impacts on species, particularly those that are sensitive to noise and vibrations. Finally, during commercial fishing operations cetaceans and sea turtles may end up as bycatch (the incidental capture of non-target species).

Figure 1. The cetacean migration corridor in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain. The three islands are the Balearic Islands.

Approach

The Mediterranean Project identified areas of special interest for the conservation of cetaceans in the Spanish part of the Mediterranean Sea. Based on scientific studies, some areas were recognised as important migration corridors for cetaceans and other species such as sea turtles that need protection.

A first level of protection for the area was achieved by declaring it as a marine protected area (MPA), which is a legal category of natural protected areas recognised in Spain’s Law of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity (Royal Decree 699/2018, June 2018). In order to ensure that there is no decline in the conservation status of the species present in the MPA, the decree enables prohibiting underground geological research and hydrocarbon extractive activities, except for those related to exploration or exploitation permits in force.

Article 50 of the Law of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity specifies that natural areas that are formally designated in accordance with the international conventions to which Spain is a Party will be considered ‘protected areas by international instruments’, and specifically includes ‘Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance’ (SPAMI) as a potential protection category. SPAMIs are created to promote cooperation in the management and conservation of natural areas, as well as protection of threatened species and their habitats. The Spanish government therefore requested the status of a SPAMI for the area from the secretariat of the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. Stopping economic activities, including exploration and exploitation of energy resources, will be considered as an option to avoid any significant damage to cetaceans and other marine species. 

Examples of ecological corridors

The Ibiza channel and its underwater slopes off the coasts of Valencia and Catalonia, Spain, constitute a migratory corridor used by many species of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean Sea (Figure 1). It is especially used by the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) during its migration from breeding areas off the coast of Africa in the mid-Mediterranean to the feeding areas in the Gulf of León off the coast of France, and the Ligurian Sea off the coast of Italy.

The Ibiza channel is a highly productive deep-water area that provides abundant food resources for cetaceans. It contains a diversity of geologic forms and habitats, such as the sea bottoms around the Columbretes Islands, those of Valencia’s marine trench in the Gulf of Valencia, or the canyons of the continental shelf of the Gulf of León, where most species have been observed. In its southern part the migratory corridor crosses important ferry routes that connect the Spanish cities of Valencia and Denia with the Balearic Islands about 100 km off the Spanish coast.

Results

The decree that enforces the MPA prohibits underground geological research and hydrocarbon extraction, except when conducted for research or under current exploitation permits. These protective measures will be in force until a detailed management plan has been approved.

It is expected that, because of the declaration of this large marine area as a SPAMI and the protection that comes with it, there will be a positive effect on the cetaceans, marine turtles and seabirds that occur in and move through the area. A detailed management plan is being developed that will address and regulate possible environmental impacts.