·       Calvià consolidates a pioneering marine conservation system with three reserves on its coastline, strengthening biodiversity, supporting the artisanal fishing sector and promoting high-quality, sustainable tourism.

Calvià, located in southwest Mallorca, has welcomed the new Illes del Ponent Marine Reserve, marking a decisive step in strengthening the protection of its coastline and its credentials as a sustainable tourism destination. The new protection scheme includes enclaves of high ecological value such as El Toro, the Islas Malgrats, and l’Ila del Sec, covering a total of 2,300 hectares of which 240 are highly protected. With this expansion, the new reserve incorporates an additional 15 hectares of highly protected area and extends the coastal strip included in the protected zone by approximately seven kilometres. This protected area represents a benchmark in the recovery of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable tourism activities.

PROTECTED MARINE AREAS ON THE CALVIÀ COASTLINE

Isla del Toro: Biodiversity in Recovery

The Isla del Toro Marine Reserve, created in 2004, has proven to be an exemplar conservation project. Since its declaration, the concentration of species has quadrupled, allowing for the recovery of vulnerable populations such as grouper and sea bass. Its area spans from Clot des Moro to Cala Refeubetx, including Isla del Toro, Isla del Toretó, Ses Barbines, and Es Pans. Despite being one of the smallest reserves in the Balearic archipelago, it stands out for its rich biodiversity and the quality of its seabed, covered by extensive Posidonia seagrass meadows and rock formations. This environment provides refuge for both sedentary Mediterranean species and large migratory species, such as tuna, barracuda, dentex, and large rays, which coupled with its crystal-clear waters, makes it an exceptional place for diving, underwater photography, and other low-impact marine activities.

Islas Malgrats: A Refuge for Marine and Terrestrial Wildlife

The Islas Malgrats are not only an oasis for marine life, but also an enclave of great terrestrial ecological value. The endemic Lilford’s wall lizard can be found here, along with other protected endemic species. Its 89-hectare area is classified as a special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), as it is a nesting site for the European shag, the Cory’s shearwater, and the Balearic shearwater, the latter of which is critically endangered. It has also been recognised as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) within the European Union’s Natura 2000 Network. Visitors in Islas Malgrats can enjoy a variety of activities centred around the natural beauty and marine life of the area including snorkelling, bird watching, paddleboarding, and low-impact boat tours.

Illes del Ponent: A Strategic Expansion

The newly designated Illes del Ponent Marine Reserve stretches along the coast of Calvià, replacing the previous 2022 delimitation to now encompass the areas of El Toro, Islas Malgrats, and l’Illa del Sec. The Illes del Ponent Marine Reserve forms a key part of municipal environmental conservation strategy, complementing other sustainable initiatives promoted by local government, such as the restoration of the Galatzó Public Estate, the efficient management of water resources, and the use of reclaimed water to irrigate public green areas.

With the intention of maintaining and recovering the endemism and remarkable landscape of these islets, the Calvià Town Hall and the Environmental Department of the Balearic Government hopes this reserve will help to propel the municipality towards a greener future. Boasting caves and crystal-clear water, home to sea anemones and vibrant coral reefs, the new reserve will become a cornerstone of Calvià’s natural and sustainable tourism offering.

Spain has, once again, been recognised as the destination with the most Blue Flag accredited beaches internationally.  

Blue Flag, an international certification awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, recognises beaches, marinas and boats that are following the FEE’s sustainability guidelines. Meeting and upholding a set of rigorous standards pertaining to the environment, education, safety, and inclusivity are prerequisites to attaining the Blue Flag status. For over 35 years, Blue Flag has been the benchmark for sustainable beach and marine tourism, and the organisation is a key contributor towards the UN’S 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Being certified as a Blue Flag beach highlights an area or team’s commitment to meeting sustainability credentials and showcases their dedication to working towards sustainable environment management.

Today, many beachgoers are more aware than ever of the environmental impact that human action is having on coastal and marine environments. Beaches with a Blue Flag accreditation are a clear indicator to visitors and locals that measures are being taken to limit the environmental impact of tourism in that area. As a result, the Blue Flag label is trusted by millions of travellers across the globe. 

Since the accreditation began in 1987, Spain has received recognition for 729 of its beaches, with 10 beaches having acquired their Blue Flag for the first time and 22 beaches having regained their title in 2023.  

Five of the top Spanish Blue Flag accredited beaches are: 

1. Playa El Far de Sant Cristófol, near Barcelona  
2. La Breña, Córdoba 
3. Torre Derribada, Murcia 
4. Jover, Tenerife  
5. Cancho del Fresno, Cáceres, Extremadura 

Spain is proud to have 53 sites that are designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. These sitesare recognised as being important terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.

The environmental standards of the reserves are continuously monitored in order to protectthese natural areas for future generations to enjoy. The sites are maintained to conserve the biodiversity and cultural diversity of the areas, encourage economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable, and support development through research, monitoring, education, and training.

For 2023, various Biosphere Reserves across Spain are celebrating significant anniversaries. The Sierras de Cazorla in Jaen and Marismas del Odiel in Huelva are both celebrating 40 years of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognition. The islands of the islands of Lanzarote and Menorca celebrate their 30-years.

Home to nearly 220 species of birds and 1000 species of plants, 60 of which are endemic to this northernmost island of the Balearic archipelago, the UNESCO Natural Biosphere Reserve of Menorca has remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. Since October 1993, it has been recognised by UNESCO for the exceptional conservation of both its heritage and landscape. Visitors to Menorca can immerse themselves in its unspoiled rural countryside by exploring varied landscapes on foot, horseback or by bicycle. The Camí de Cavalls, a historic path navigating the entire coastline, has been improved in recent years with new footpaths and stone hedges to make Menorca’s impressive scenery more accessible to visitors.

Lanzarote’s UNESCO reserve, also declared in 1993, is equally beautiful. Due to a series of volcanic eruptions taking place throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the volcanic soil on the island has birthed luxurious vegetation. The heritage site covers 127,000 hectares of sub-tropical land surrounding Timanfaya National Park and a marine ecosystem comprising of gorgeous isles and countless bird species, many of which are endemic. Networks of volcanic tunnels spread throughout the reserve which are carefully maintained to allow visitors to explore and experience without harming the surrounding rock.

The event will hold a number of sessions to discuss new innovative sustainability models, technological advancements, and the concept of Blue Economy, which encourages preservation and regeneration of the marine environment. Presentations will be led by representatives from local companies, NGOs, researchers, and industry experts from WWF, WTTC, Cornell University and Global Sustainable Tourism Council, among others.

As part of the event, participants will be invited to take part in additional activities, such as beach cleaning and exploring the meadows of Posidonia Oceania. On a guided boat excursion visitors will see the unique seagrass that is believed to be the reason behind the Mediterranean Sea’s turquoise colour! 

Formentera has been long committed to the conservation of the local sea floor which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. In 2017, the local authorities launched the pioneering Save Posidonia Project, which allowed both companies and individuals to sponsor a small stretch of the seagrass from as little as one euro, ensuring that all funds go directly to the conservation programme.

Thanks to generous donations, over 250,000 square metres of the Posidonia Oceanica meadows have already been sponsored and preserved. The protection and restoration of this marine plant is crucial to the local ecosystem as it serves as one of the most important sources of oxygen which helps to filter the water’s sediments.

The local government will continue to work on a cartography project which aims to map the seagrass and help boats find appropriate places to moor that asure that chains and anchors stree clear of the Posidonia meadows