The event, organised by the Directorate General of Natural Environment and Forest Management of the Balearic Government with the support of GEN-GOB and fay SOLDECOCOS, WWF, and the Biodiversity Foundation, and in collaboration with the fishing service of the Consell Insular de Formentera, enabled progress in the management, regulation, and monitoring of the island’s marine heritage.
The Marine Stewardship Board was created following the approval of the Natura 2000 Management Plan for Formentera. It is a stable participatory instrument that supports the protection of 8,518.49 hectares of marine and coastal areas, distributed across five zones of high ecological value.
This is a pioneering experience at the national level in environmental co-governance and represents a firm commitment to integrating scientific perspectives, the primary sector’s vision, tourism needs, and conservation expertise into a single decision-making space.
The meeting dedicated a significant part to reviewing management measures implemented in the protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network and presented the case of the Dragonera Blava Network in Mallorca, which analyzes the positive effects of limiting boat speed in marine reserve areas.
There was also an update on the Blue Connect Project, which works to strengthen sustainability and co-governance in Marine Protected Areas. Additionally, a new protocol for the extraction of ghost fishing nets developed by the fishermen’s guilds of the Pityusic Islands and coordinated by the Local Fisheries Action Group (GALP) was presented as a mitigation measure.
The meeting also included the presentation of codes of good practice for nature tourism companies operating in marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, resulting from participatory workshops.
With this fourth meeting, Formentera consolidates a working model based on active participation, shared responsibility, and the establishment of measures agreed upon by all involved sectors.
