Resources

The project includes a Training Strategy that aims to educate and train the main users and managers of the marine Natura 2000 Network. This facilitates appropriate and coordinated decision-making by the competent administrations and promotes the development of economic activity in line with the values of the blue economy.

As part of this strategy, the project has created four educational modules on safeguarding the marine environment and managing Natura 2000 Network sites. These modules are intended for individuals interested in protected marine areas, as well as public administration personnel responsible for managing the marine Natura 2000 Network, including personnel from the Spanish Navy, Civil Guard, and Maritime Rescue, among others.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has updated the management plan for El Cachucho, a large underwater mountain located off the Asturian coast. Learn more about this protected area and the conservation measures included in this second management plan.

The proposal to adapt the marine Natura 2000 Network is the result of an analysis conducted with the participation of 170 experts in marine research, conservation, and management, as well as in collaboration with WWF. This analysis identified 104 areas of high ecological value to advance the international commitment to achieve 30% protection by 2030. In the short term, Spain has committed to achieving 25% protection by 2025.

Based on this scientific basis, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge developed a proposal for sites eligible for protection, taking into account ecological and socioeconomic criteria. This proposal was used to declare new marine areas in the Natura 2000 Network. Within the framework of LIFE INTEMARES, other areas have been studied to advance the declaration of new protected areas.

With the aim of promoting coordination in responding to sea turtle nesting events on the Spanish coast, MITECO, together with the Regional Government of Andalusia and within the framework of the project, developed a training and awareness campaign in 2024 for municipal technicians, beach staff, volunteers, and the general public. Access the materials generated within the framework of this initiative.

Furthermore, to aid in the development of management plans for the designated areas, we have analysed the impact of fishing activities during oceanographic campaigns in the Menorca Channel, the Canary Islands, the Gulf of Cadiz, and the Aviles canyon systems.

The reports below are part of the effort to diagnose the impact of human activities and climate change on the marine Natura 2000 Network. They also contain proposals to control, eliminate, or mitigate these effects.

Training sessions have already been held for Public Administrations on the management of the Natura 2000 Network and marine biodiversity during its implementation, with over 7,000 individuals trained. Over 2,100 participants took part in training sessions for the Guardia Civil, Navy, and SASEMAR. This action was possible due to the collaboration established with the Ministries of the Interior and Defence.

We have developed instruments to increase the social benefits and reduce the environmental impact of LIFE INTEMARES acquisitions.

We have calculated our carbon footprint, which describes the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions generated by the project. This tool allows us to identify the major sources of emissions and take action to reduce their impact.

The methodological framework offers innovative guidelines for calculating and monitoring project carbon footprints:

We have assessed the impact of the 175 marine projects financed by the Biodiversidad Foundation between 2011 and 2018, within the framework of LIFE INTEMARES, and their collective contribution to the implementation of European Directives, Spanish marine protection legislation, and major international conventions related to marine conservation.

The report also analyses the achievements, limitations and opportunities of the Biodiversidad Foundation’s marine projects that are complementary to the objectives of LIFE INTEMARES:

We have assessed and evaluated the services provided by Natura 2000 marine protected areas and their impact on human well-being.

We analysed the relationships between marine ecosystems and the provisioning of fisheries, regulation of carbon sequestration, and cultural services such as tourism and recreation associated with protected areas. Our goal is to ensure that decision-making processes integrate the diversity of values embedded in the Natura 2000 network. We have published the following report and its executive summary:

The INTEMARES-Lost Gear initiative, developed in collaboration with Hombre y Territorio, has established criteria for managing Lost or Abandoned Fishing Gear (LAFG).

Furthermore, this issue was discussed at the 4th Annual Seminar on marine litter organized by the Directorate General for the Coast and the Sea of MITECO as part of the Marine Strategies program of measures. This initiative is supported by LIFE INTEMARES and is part of the National Environmental Education Centre’s permanent seminar programme.

The seminar’s main conclusions are outlined in the report:

Additionally, we conducted a study on the feasibility of adapting new monitoring technologies to the marine areas of the Natura 2000 network.