DiverSea News - Marine Protected Area Designation in Process
MARINE PROTECTED AREA DESIGNATION IN PROGRESS TO PROTECT SPERM WHALE BREEDING AREAS IDENTIFIED BY TURSIOPS ASSOCIATION
As part of the sperm whale population monitoring campaigns conducted by the Tursiops Association in the Balearic Islands region, a breeding area for this species has been identified in the northern part of the archipelago. This is the only such area described in the Mediterranean. Consequently, in March 2025, Tursiops proposed its protection before the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.
The area covers 34,172 km², and its boundaries have been established considering the existence of other adjacent protected zones, such as the Cetacean Migration Corridor, the Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, as well as the limits of Spain’s Exclusive Economic Zone with France and Italy. Its declaration would complete a comprehensive spatial planning framework for marine protection in Spanish waters of the Mediterranean.
The need for protection of this area is detailed in the work by Brotons et al., published in November 2024 in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: "New Data on the Distribution of Sperm Whales in the Western Mediterranean Highlights Insufficiency of Currently Proposed Protection Measures." This study describes the high presence of calves in the area, the threats faced by the species, and the legal protection framework of the surrounding zones. It justifies the urgency and necessity of safeguarding this habitat, as well as the importance of managing the entire area coherently, considering all adjacent protection figures—some declared with different objectives by various institutions, including several involving multiple countries.
The declaration process is progressing. From July 24th to September 15th, a public consultation process was open, allowing participation from both entities and citizens prior to the formal declaration. The declaration of this Marine Protected Area (MPA), along with the coherent management of threats, will significantly contribute to the effective protection of this endangered species.
This process is taking place alongside the declaration of several other new marine protected zones in Spain, including five new Marine Protected Areas and a seabird sanctuary. “We are delighted to see the establishment of new Marine Protected Areas — a significant achievement for ocean conservation. These designations strengthen our collective efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. We remain hopeful that the next MPA to be officially recognised will be the one our team has been working toward.”