After its stopover in the Region of Murcia, the LIFE A-MAR navigation campaign arrived in the Valencian Community on 12 and 13 May, with awareness-raising activities open to the public and meetings with socio-economic stakeholders, aimed at highlighting the natural values of its protected marine areas.
On 12 May, the Xàbia Marina (Alicante) hosted an information day open to local residents and visitors, bringing the project’s message closer to the community. In the afternoon, at the Duanes Library and Social Centre, a meeting was held with local socio-economic stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges for the conservation and sustainable use of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network.
On the morning of 13 May, the programme concluded with a guided boat trip through the protected area of Montgó–Cap de Sant Antoni, allowing participants to explore its marine diversity and appreciate the biological and landscape richness of this unique site.
Protected Marine Areas in the Valencian Community
Off the coast of the Valencian Community there are 22 such marine sites. One of them is the Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) Montgó–Cap de Sant Antoni, located between the municipalities of Xàbia and Dénia. It forms part of the Montgó Massif Natural Park. Beyond its impressive cliffs, extending into the sea, the seabed is composed of rocky and sandy substrates characterised by extraordinary marine biodiversity, ranging from small invertebrates such as anemones and limpets to large creatures such as moray eels and groupers.
The great variety of environments present in Cap de Sant Antoni allows for the development of a significant number of benthic communities, some of them of high ecological interest.
Among the protected species inhabiting its waters are the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and the orange gorgonian (Leptogorgia sarmentosa), also known as “sea fans”. These colonies of organisms are highly valuable as resting and feeding grounds for other marine species.
To download: Montgó-Cap de Sant Antoni (Valencia) brochure
Brochure on the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network in the Valencian Community.
