MARINE PROTECTED SPACES IN SPAIN The term Marine Protected Area (MPA) is used internationally as an umbrella concept that identifies any area of the sea with some degree of protection. It covers a wide range of different focuses for the management of marine and coastal zones. Spain did not recognise MPAs as a protection tool of its own until Act No. 42/2007 on the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity came into effect. Said Act defines these areas as Designated natural spaces for the protection of ecosystems, communities and biological or geological marine environment elements including intertidal and sub-tidal areas which, due to their rareness, fragility, importance or uniqueness warrant special protection. Despite this, no MPA has been declared in Spain to date. El Cachucho (Asturias province) has been engaged in the procedural process since 2008. All remaining marine areas respond to the generic meaning of the word and come under national protection legislation, including: The Natural Protected Spaces Network (RENPA), the Marine and Fisheries Reserves and other legal concepts agreed in international treaties: the Natura 2000 network, Biosphere Reserves, RAMSAR wetlands and other forms, such as the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs). The Natura 2000 network is a European biodiversity conservation area ecological network. It comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated in accordance with the Habitats Directive and previously proposed as Sites of Community Interest (SCIs), as well as Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPABs) established by virtue of the Birds Directive. Their aim is to ensure the long-term survival of the most threatened species and habitats in Europe, contributing to halting the loss of biodiversity brought about by the adverse impact of human activities. BASIC DATA Marine Protected Spaces Number of protected spaces 101 Total surface area (ha) 578 118 Average surface area (ha) 5 723 Governance Legal framework Act No. 42/2007, of 13 th December 2008, on the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Institutions Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs Instruments The Natura 2000 Networking Programme The Spanish National Catalogue of Endangered Species 73
Autonomous Community Andalusia Protection tool Name of marine space Total surface area (ha) SCI, SPAB, SPAMI Alboran Island 966 SCI, SPAB, SPAMI Cape Gata - Nijar 11 613 SCI, SPAB, SPAMI Maro - Cerro Gordo sea cliffs 26 367 SCI, SPAB La Breña and Barbate wetlands 1 410 SCI Straits Coastal front 8 710 SCI Roquetas de Mar reefs 204 SCI Entinas Point - Sabinar seabeds 3 963 SCI Bay of Cadiz seabeds 5 575 SCI Bay of Estepona seabeds 552 SCI Levante Almeriense seabeds 1013 SCI Tesorillo Salobreña seabeds 1 012 SCI Calahonda - Castells de Ferro seabeds 842 SCI Guadiaro seabeds 102 SCI Palmones river seabeds 88 SCI Mona Point seabeds 99 SCI Piedras river estuary 10 700 SCI, SPAB Tinto river estuary 444 SCI, SPAB Odiel wetlands 6 631 SCI, SPAB Isla Cristina wetlands 2 500 SCI, SPAB Doñana Coastal band 108 450 SCI El Saladillo Baños Point 1 755 SCI Eastern Straits 23 641 74
Andalusia Catalonia Ceuta Galicia Region of Murcia SCI Calahonda 1 094 SCI Trafalgar Point 482 SCI San Andres islet 35 SCI L' Albera 5 SCI Maresme Coasts 2 921 SCI, SPAB Garraf Coasts 26 576 SCI Maritime-Land Zone of Monte Hacho 786 SCI, SPAB Chafarinas Islands 506 SCI Corrubedo wetlands 7 424 SCI, SPAB Ons - O Grove Complex 5 597 SCI Estelas Islands 717 SCI Region of Murcia Submerged coastal band 10 600 SCI, SPAB Mediterranean coast Islands and islets 16 SCI La Muela and Cape Tiñoso 7 889 Basque Country SCI Gaztelugatxeko Doniene / San Juan de Gaztulagatxe 157 Community of Valencia Community of Valencia SCI Cape l Horta 4 250 SCI Orpesa coast and Benicassim 1 325 SCI, SPAB, SPAMI Columbretes Islands 12 035 SCI Alguers de Borriana - Nules - Monfoca 4 082 SCI L Almadrava 2 240 SCI El Montgo 3 010 SCI Penyasegats de la Marina 3 260 SCI Tabarca Islands 14 500 SCI Cape Roig 4 680 75
Balearic Islands Canary Islands Canary Islands SCI Southern Ciudatella marine area 2 234 SCI, SPAB Es Vedra - Es Vedranell 637 SCI, SPAB Tagomago 556 SCI, SPAB Cabrera Archipelago 8 073 SCI, SPAB Sa Dragonera 1 278 SCI, SPAB Western Ibiza islets 2 543 SCI, SPAB La Mola 2 191 SCI, SPAB Cape Barbaria 2 484 SCI Northern Menorca 5 153 SCI Prima Point - Aire Island 1 134 SCI Cala Figuera 66 SCI Amer Point 530 SCI Cala Saona 443 SCI Tramontana beach 1 412 SCI Migjorn beach 2 057 SCI, SPAB Teno Rasca coastal band 72 680 SCI Sea of Calmas 10 428 SCI Fuencaliente coastal band 7 418 SCI, SPAB Garafia coast 3 654 SCI Santiago Valle Gran Rey coastal band 13 780 SCI San Juan de La Rambla coast 1 674 SCI Southern Tenerife submarine prairies 2 812 SCI, SPAB Los Organos coast 1 217 SCI Antequera submarine prairies 283 76
SCI San Andres submarine prairies 607 SCI Güigüi submarine prairies 7 500 SCI Playa del Ingles submarine prairies 2 826 SCI North Sardina coast 1 482 SCI La Isleta 8 882 SCI Bay of Gando 495 SCI Cabron beach 992 SCI, SPAB Sotavento de Jandia beaches 5 625 SCI, SPAB Cave of Lobos 7 845 SCI Corralejo submarine prairies 2 000 SCI Cagafrecho 650 SCI Guasimeta submarine prairies 1 309 SCI Chinijo Archipelago 9 082 SCI Los Jameos 240 SCI La Graciosa submarine prairies 1 222 SCI, SPAB Los Islotes 141 SCI, SPAB Timanfaya National Park 5 322 SCI Sea cave of San Juan 0.81 77
78 National Scale