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Date Published: 31/07/2024

Spain unveils its very first fully marine National Park

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El Hierro in the Canary Islands is home to an array of species like dolphins, turtles, whales and sponges

Spain unveils its very first fully marine National Park

The Canary Islands are set to make history with the impending creation of the country's first fully marine National Park. On Tuesday July 30, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal to grant the Mar de las Calmas, located in the southern waters of El Hierro, the highest level of protection from the State.

This marine sanctuary, spanning more than 24,000 hectares, is a haven for an array of species, including dolphins, turtles, sperm whales and glass sponges. Far from the hustle of mass tourism and isolated from busy shipping lanes, the area has been carefully preserved thanks to the traditional lifestyle and fishing practices of El Hierro’s inhabitants.

The driving force behind this initiative is the Oceana organisation and Michael Sealey, the group’s senior advisor on environmental policies, insists that the Mar de las Calmas has ecological values “very worthy of conservation.”

“The people of El Hierro have been very careful in the way they use marine resources. This has favoured the sustainability of the sea and the wealth it has. It is important to value this so that the people of El Hierro continue to do their traditional activities as soon as the national park is implemented,” he added.

Also of interest: Spain has just gained a brand-new island in the Canaries

The journey towards this milestone began in 2017 but faced some challenges and delays along the way, including the Covid pandemic and misunderstandings about the impact on local activities. One of the main concerns addressed was the confusion over fishing restrictions, with Oceana clarifying that traditional and sustainable tuna fishing practices will be respected.

Any industrial processes, such as industrial fishing or mineral extraction, will be prohibited within the park, and vessel speed will be controlled to safeguard the resident cetaceans.

Despite some opposition from local political groups, the Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, emphasised the extensive work that has gone into reconciling maximum protection with traditional activities.

The proposal will now undergo a four-month public display period, followed by a year-long process for cataloguing and subsequent legislative approval.

The Mar de las Calmas is home to unique biological communities, including photophilous algae, underwater caves and critically endangered seabird species. The area is also a key habitat for beaked whales, sharks and rays, showcasing the richness and diversity of life in these waters.

With a narrow continental shelf, El Hierro boasts a unique underwater landscape, including deep coral gardens and sponge ecosystems that filter and clean the water. The island’s remote location and warmer temperatures contribute to its distinctive flora and fauna.

Despite the 2011 eruption of the Tagoro underwater volcano, life in the Mar de las Calmas has rebounded, showcasing the resilience and richness of this marine environment.

The president of the Cabildo of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas (PSOE), has been a staunch supporter of the national park, stating that it will be “the icing on the cake of the island's commitment to nature and renewable energy.”

In other news: Patient dies of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever after being bitten by a tick in Spanish countryside

Image: WWF

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