More than 1100 people are taking part in 54 training and citizen science activities in Spain as part of the LIFE A-MAR project

The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), a partner in the LIFE A-MAR NATURA 2000 project, has run a programme of 39 training sessions aimed at key sectors related to the marine environment, from five autonomous communities, focusing on the values and management of the Natura 2000 Network’s marine sites in the Mediterranean. It has also organised 15 citizen science workshops to raise awareness among the local population and visitors.

With yesterday’s conclusion of the final marine training workshop in Almuñécar (Granada), the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), a partner in the LIFE A-MAR project, has concluded the marine training and citizen science programmes in Spain. They carried out 57 activities involving a total of over 1100 participants. These activities have helped to strengthen public knowledge, awareness and social commitment to the conservation of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as promoting sustainable practices along the Mediterranean coasts of five Spanish autonomous communities: Andalusia, the Region of Murcia, the Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Both initiatives were implemented in collaboration and coordination with the governments of these autonomous communities and local authorities.

The training programme was primarily aimed at key sectors linked to the marine environment: managers of marine protected areas, law enforcement agencies, the Navy, Maritime Rescue, tour operators, the fishing and shellfish industry, and the education sector. Specific training courses have also been developed for professionals in the tourism sector and operators linked to the marine environment, such as kayaking, diving and boat charter companies, hotels and tourist guides, amongst others.

In total, these training sessions have involved 917 participants. The sessions have taken a practical approach, ensuring that the content is applicable to the operators’ real-world working environment. The focus has been on the benefits and services provided by marine protected areas and on how to communicate this to customers in order to move towards a more sustainable model of tourism. The experience gained has been compiled and systematised in the Guide to Good Practice in Training on the Marine Natura 2000 Network, with the aim of facilitating the replication of these initiatives in other contexts.

Meanwhile, marine citizen science initiatives, developed in collaboration with local organisations, have enabled the public to engage with the observation and monitoring of marine biodiversity through theoretical and practical workshops tailored to each region. Across 15 activities, 270 people have received training in the use of citizen science platforms and in basic techniques for species identification, data recording and submission. These activities have included walking tours, scientific snorkelling, litter picking, bird and cetacean watching, and specific activities such as checking blue crab traps.

The workshops have been held in the towns of Aguadulce (Almería), Tarifa (Cádiz), Castell de Ferro (Granada), Mijas (Málaga), Calabardina and Las Cobaticas (Region of Murcia), Pollença and San Telmo (Mallorca), Can Marroig (Formentera), Santa Pola (Alicante), Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona), Deltebre (Tarragona) and L’Estartit (Girona).

The programme has received a strong public response and the collaboration of numerous local stakeholders, which has enabled each activity to be tailored to the specific characteristics of its local environment.

These initiatives have enhanced awareness and engagement among both the public and key sectors with respect to the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, thereby supporting the transition towards a more responsible and sustainable model of coastal use.

LIFE A-MAR

The LIFE A-MAR project is coordinated by the Italian Federation of Parks and Nature Reserves (Federparchi – Europarc Italy) and involves partners such as Triton Research, the Biodiversity Foundation of MITECO, and Lipu. Co-financers include the Asinara National Park, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, and the Cinque Terre National Park. The project is funded with the financial support of the European Union’s LIFE Programme.