top of page
bait ball.jpg
save-the-med-transparent-background.png

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Welcome

Welcome to the 2023 Save the Med Annual Report. Another amazing year of seeing the Foundation grow,  projects expand and more community involvement than ever.

 

We have shaken things up a bit with our new presentation and hope this more dynamic version gives you a deeper insight into the many facets that come together to create the movement towards the marine regeneration of the Mediterranean Basin. 

rib.jpeg

A word from our President 

I was on the drive home, after spending an afternoon with Josep Vives, my good friend and colleague from the Pollença based NGO Arrels Marines. As we were leaving the stunning Tramuntana landscape behind us, my kids asked me: “Papa, why are you two separate NGOs? Why are you not working together?” A fair and sensible observation from a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old. My response to these insightful young humans was: “We are working very closely together and have been for the past couple of years.” To which they responded: “Why are you not called Save the Arrels?!” I love the purity and honesty of children’s thoughts, something that we, as adults, should strive to return to. How have two young children observed the vital necessity for collaboration, which has been missing for many years in the third sector? What is stopping our communities and governments from effectively creating sufficient change to deal with the monumental climate issues that we are all facing today? With this in mind, Save the Med is moving forward guided by three defining pillars: The first pillar is deep collaboration. As observed by my children, collaboration is one action that we must embrace, but on a much deeper level. Nowadays many collaborations are carried out at a superficial level, which as a result do not have the strength to last nor to contribute meaningfully to the change required.. In my experience deep collaboration yields the best results once trust and respect has been forged between the people involved. This takes time. The second pillar is about adopting a holistic vision. Sadly, most of our world has become monocultural. The way most of us live fails to prioritise the biodiversity that is critically important to support living systems. This importance is also not reflected in the way the third sector prioritises or solves environmental problems. Many of today’s so-called solutions become tomorrow's problems, as we have not mastered the ability to see the entire picture. This needs to change. The third pillar is local community engagement. We believe this to be the missing link in Mediterranean regeneration. For decades, most large International NGOs working within the Mediterranean region have been focused on top-down processes. Meaning that they mostly work with governments to change policy, and that the last people to find out are the locals who are directly affected by that policy change. This in itself is not a negative action. However, it leaves out local social movements and engagement at grassroots level, leading to poor results and laws that are not necessarily adopted or embraced on the ground. Save the Med is currently focused on integrating these three pillars; collaboration, holistic vision and community engagement, into the amazing projects we already have underway. 2023 was another wonderful year at the helm of this good ship Save the Med Foundation. I hope you enjoy reading this Annual Report and that you too will find some inspiration. Stay strong, stay focused and stay together! - Brad Robertson, President, Save the Med Foundation

IMG_0011.JPG
Message from the President

About Save the Med

About save the Med
image.png
image.png

VISION:

A healthy Mediterranean basin.

MISSION:

Contribute to the regeneration of the Mediterranean basin through a holistic and collective approach, accompanying the re-evolution of local communities into conscious and active custodians.

Save the Med inspires local communities to take action not only to protect but also to regenerate their surrounding environment. The organisation conducts research to generate knowledge towards a better understanding of fragile ecosystems, and to implement innovative projects to minimise human impact on the environment while contributing towards improvements in relevant policy and management strategies.

 

Save the Med collaborates with individuals, schools, businesses, NGOs, governmental institutions and other stakeholders to develop and implement regeneration projects.

Screenshot 2024-03-20 at 15.24.04.png
Screenshot 2024-03-21 at 15.52.34.png
Screenshot 2024-03-20 at 15.25.01.png
DSCF0381.jpg
IMG_0093_1.jpg
Save the Med_Make Throw Away Go Away.jpg
baby ray .jpeg
balearic shearwater Calo_dio_1.jpg
DSCF8614.jpg
turtle reflected.jpeg
whale tail.JPG

Team update

Expanding our team

Save the Med are happy to welcome a few newcomers to the team: Paula as Multimedia Manager, Jorge as Operations Manager, and Lara, as coordinator of collaboration initiatives.

Settling in to the new offices

At the end of 2022 the Foundation moved to new offices in the central Mallorcan village of Binissalem. 2023 has been about making the office building and village the Foundation's home. 

376b22a1-99c4-4e61-9702-e9875f8e9bcc.jpg
Aerial View of Lake

Marine Regeneration

MARINE STEWARDSHIP & CUSTODY

Protecting our oceans for the future isn't just a task for scientists and governments - it requires the active involvement of us, the humans who live alongside them. This is where marine stewardship and custody come in.

Stewardship describes the responsible management of the ocean and its resources, like fish populations and marine ecosystems. Custody, on the other hand, emphasises the careful watch kept over these life sustaining resources, ensuring their responsible use and long-term health. And who is better suited to lead these processes than the local communities that know their areas best? 

SA DRAGONERA BLAVA (Blue Dragonera)

100+

Participants at the 3rd Sa Dragonera Blava Conference

7x

Increase in commercially valuable fish biomass within the marine reserve

3

Open forums, that in turn established 3 different working groups
   - Education & best practises
   - Mooring & anchoring
   - Water quality

Over the last 6 years Save the Med has worked on community engagement projects developed to help safeguard the area’s biodiversity. The work aims to connect communities with the sea, facilitate knowledge, encourage stewardship and promote participatory governance amongst citizens.

logo dragonera blava blanco 300.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

U NORD BLAU (The Blue North)

Participants in activities at sea

200

Individuals participated in forums

186

1

Proposal submitted for the protection of the sea around Cape Formentor

Harnessing the knowledge and experience gained through our community engagement projects in Sa Dragonera, the U Nord Blau initiative aims to achieve lasting environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic benefits.  Open forums have been created to help foster stewardship of land and sea among communities in the area of Pollença, facilitating dialogue and the sharing of knowledge amongst citizens.

FORMENTOR NordBlau White RGB.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
IMG_0061.jpg
WhatsApp Image 2023-07-04 at 14.51.03 (4).jpg
DSCF8760_1.jpg
DSCF8592.jpg
DSCF8662.jpg
DSCF8641.jpg
DSCF0379.jpg
DSCF8552.jpg
DSCF7090.jpg
DSCF8566.jpg
Cayume- Shark release - Editada.jpg
llampuga_pesca_artesanal.jpg
IMG_0135.jpg
STM_11thHRT_1 (1).jpg
Marine Regeneration
RM Marine stewardship
RM sa dragonera
RM u nord blau
Under Water

Marine Research

SPINETAIL DEVIL RAYS (Mobula mobular)

image.png
Registered sightings to date

360

Rays succesfully tagged and tracked to date

2

image.png
image.png

In recent years, Save the Med has been able to gather in-depth information on the presence and behaviour of Spinetail Devil Rays in the Balearic Sea. The team successfully tagged two individuals and recorded unique data, including dives to more than 600m depth and a 650 km journey to the Ligurian Sea (Northern Italy). This research enables biologists to better understand these mysterious animals and develop an evidence-based conservation strategy for rays in the area. 

Collaborative project

PETITS TAURONS- ACCIÓ STELLARIS  

(Small sharks - Stellaris Action) 

Save The Med is currently co-working on a pilot conservation project called Petits taurons - Acció Stellaris, which aims to help recover the population of Balearic nursehound sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

200+

Sharks bred in captivity to date
Young sharks tagged and released in Cabrera National Park

16

16

Young sharks tagged and released in the marine reserves of El Toro and Malgrats
image.png
image.png
vlcsnap-2024-02-05-11h04m14s270.png
Shark eye.jpg
vlcsnap-2023-10-03-09h58m10s877.jpg
vlcsnap-2023-03-22-15h51m10s373.jpg
Shark in the grass.jpg
vlcsnap-2024-02-05-11h01m34s347.png
43 baby sharks have been born through the project _Stellaris Action_.jpg

Protection of Marine Ecosystems

IBIZA

In 2023, Save the Med contributed to a successful proposal presented to the Government of the Balearic Islands, to establish marine reserves in Ses Bledes and Es Vedrà-Vedranell in Ibiza and to improve management measures for these areas.

Balearic waters gain IUCN recognition for sharks and rays

CANAL DE MENORCA

Save The Med is part of the steering committee drafting a management plan for the Natura 2000 site in the Menorca Channel. Working closely with relevant institutions to create a management plan they are taking into account all research and the voice of all stakeholders in the community. 

CAP DE FORMENTOR

Save the Med submitted a collaborative proposal for the protection of the marine area surrounding the Cape of Formentor  calling for comprehensive conservation measures, an expansion of the protected area and the regulation of fishing activities.

Marin Research
RM Spine tail devil rays
RM Petit taurons
RM IUCN

Plastic Pollution Reduction

In the current era, environmental awareness of plastic pollution has reached record levels, and the search for sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics has become a global priority. Growing concern about the negative impacts of plastic products on the environment and human health has driven innovation towards greener solutions. However, in this emerging landscape of alternative options, there is a need to objectively assess and compare their sustainability and effectiveness.

PLASTIC POLLUTION REDUCTION PROJECT

Developed by Save the Med in 2018, the Honest Alternatives to Plastics Index (HAPI) is an innovative tool that evaluates, and eventually reduces, the plastic footprint of companies in the hospitality industry and beyond. It is currently being used to calculate the impact of businesses who want to get certified in the Plastic Free Balearics Programme

170

Establishments evaluated in the Balearic Islands to date

100

Establishments certified through the Plastic Free Balearics programme 

40,000

Kilos of potential plastic waste have been prevented through the programme since 2021
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

BACK4THEFUTURE -

Let’s rewrite our story

Back4thefuture is an interactive artwork that was born from the collaboration of Mallorcan artist Carles GO’D and Save the Med. It is a visual tool that weaves cultural, scientific and social storylines. It has been used to spark dialogue and reflection, challenging our mainstream perceptions and questioning today’s prevailing patterns of consumption and development.

Screenshot 2024-03-21 at 17.44.08.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

As part of Save the Med’s plastic pollution reduction project, Save the Med continued its close collaboration with Spanish sailing team SailGP Spain. We participated in their Inspire program, SailGP’s community, education and outreach initiative. The program aims to play a leading role in helping to diversify the sport of sailing for youth so that race, gender, and socioeconomic status do not constitute a barrier to entry.

SailGP

40

Students participated in citizen-science beach clean

130

Students joined Save the Med’s marine biodiversity workshop

1

Training workshop for SailGP team

DSCF0097.jpg
Gatera_Terrae (1).jpg
IMG-20231220-WA0001_1 (1) (1).jpg
IMG_7120.JPG
A gogo Pizza-2.jpeg
Save the Med_Make Throw Away Go Away.jpg
01_Group Photo_official (1) (1).jpg
Pollution Reduction
RM plastic pollution reduction
RM Back4thefuture
RM Sail GP
Education Programmes

Education Programmes

Save the Med’s education programmes demonstrate that small actions can make big differences and can nurture the next generation of environmental stewards, equipping them with knowledge, skills and purpose.

DOS MANOS

The Dos Manos project has been active in schools in Mallorca since 2018 and helped to ignite a wave of environmental awareness and action. In 2023 alone, some 1,300 students ventured beyond the classroom to conduct surveys and discuss lasting solutions to the issues of plastic pollution.

11,170

Students have participated in the programme 

400,000

Plastic objects have been removed from beaches in Mallorca

60

Participants from the penitentiary centre of Palma joined the action this year
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

CHANGEMAKERS

The Changemakers project is now in its 7th Annual Edition. It aims to bring young people closer to nature and promote awareness in schools and their communities. 


Every year, Save the Med invites students to form teams and present creative ideas that reduce the consumption of single-use plastic.

200+

Students  participated in 2023

57

Teams presented projects to reduce single-use plastics

30

Students took part in an in-depth workshop at Save the Med HQ

5

Days at sea on a scientific expedition

1000+

Students have participated since inception
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

GAME CHANGERS

The success of the Changemakers project has prompted the team at Save the Med to take the concept a step further and create Game Changers, a university level project to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders to effect real change. 

An agreement was signed with Save the Med, University of the Balearic Islands and Fundación Occident to launch the pilot in 2023

 

Fifteen multi-disciplinary groups have signed up as participants in the challenge, including students studying Law, Marine Biology and Social Sciences

Top projects will be awarded a cash prize and invited for a week at sea on-board a marine science expedition with Save the Med

image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

STM Ed is a pilot project designed by teachers and biologists, offering access to an interactive online platform containing online courses and materials on the marine environment. This will be made available to students and educators as well as to any individual, group or entity interested.​

As this was designed to be incorporated into the local education system, at present the projects are in Catalan and Spanish only. 

Save the Med Ed.
 

Pilot Programme

activities_onboard.jpg
DSCF0257 (1).jpg
IMG_0229.jpg
IMG_5153.HEIC
IMG_0005.jpg
IMG_0072.jpg
IMG_0035.jpg
PSX_20231212_222707.jpg
IMG_0249.jpg
IMG_0356.jpg
DSCF0305.jpg
RM Dos Manos
RM Chagemakers

Financial report

Financial report
Screenshot 2024-04-09 at 18.41.37.png

EXPENSES

Total
costs

683,582€

INCOME

Screenshot 2024-04-10 at 07.53.50.png
Total
income

675,051€

image.png
image.png

To ensure greater transparency our accounts are audited annually. The audit and our anual accounts are available on request. If you would like to see 2022 overview please click on the PDF.

image.png

A special thanks to our Funders, Corporate partners and Collaborators of 2023

thanks to our funders
image.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-04-15 at 16.07.59.png
image.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 11.47.15.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-04-17 at 13.35.01.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 11.29.03.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-03-23 at 17.06.33.png
Screenshot 2024-03-23 at 17.18.24.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
Screenshot 2024-03-23 at 17.25.30.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
Blue Fin Tuna - Image by Dan Abbott.jpg

AND THANK YOU! 

Thank you for taking the time to read through the report. If you would like to know more about what we do please get in touch. If you would like to get involved with Save the Med and help the continuation of this vital work click below.

  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
18082023-P8180044.jpg
DSCF8228.jpg
DSCF0383.jpg
DSCF8332_1.jpg
Screenshot 2024-03-21 at 17.40.44.png
Enrique Talledo SHO_6539.JPG
IMG_4396_dive51_Eunicella singularis.JPG
CapCatalunya1.JPG
rib.jpeg
WhatsApp Image 2022-02-07 at 17.56.26.jpeg
turtle oasis IMG_1394a.jpg
bottom of page