Sa Dragonera Blava (Blue Dragonera)
The sea around Sa Dragonera is home to extraordinary habitats and great marine biodiversity. However, the area faces numerous threats from human activity.
Over the last 6 years Save the Med have 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.
As a result of this work, community members have come together to form the Xarxa Dragonera Blava, (Blue Dragonera Network) a network of citizens from all sectors that help protect the local marine ecosystems. In 2023, in collaboration with the network, Save the Med launched a series of initiatives to promote marine regeneration in the area.
ACTIONS
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We created working groups that address important and specific environmental issues in the area. Topics include:
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Education and best practices at sea
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Mooring and anchoring
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Water quality.
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Sa Dragonera Natural Park staff members joined the open forums, promoting more inclusive park management.
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We produced "Weaving Ancestral Networks", a mini documentary series about artisanal fishing. This series was launched in partnership with Andratx's artisanal fishermen and the General Directorate of Fisheries.
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We launched a “Good Practices” campaign on the Andratx coast, along with a communications campaign to reduce single-use plastics in the municipality.
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We conducted an analysis of habitats and marine species in the inner waters of the Es Freu marine reserve. The data could help create a Restricted Use Zone and strengthen its protection.
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We organised a variety of educational and marine science activities in conjunction with IMEDEA research centre, CEAB research centre, Observadores del Mar citizen-science platform, local diving centres and expert photographers.
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Marine Stewardship at play
The seabed of “Es Pantaleu” hosts healthy meadows of Posidonia oceanica, a key element of a thriving Mediterranean ecosystem. The seagrass currently grows underneath a number of anchored buoys that are currently in a legal limbo. With the support of the Town Council, citizens from one of the working groups would like to take charge of this situation and legalise the status of the buoys, allowing for a local and reliable management of mooring in the area.