action in the field of marine environmental policy or Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (called “MSFD” or “Directive” hereinafter) (Bellas 2014). The main
objectives of this Directive into others are to protect and preserve the marine
environment. The MSFD in Spain is under the umbrella of Law 41/2010 for the
protection of the marine environment (LPME). The LPME, in addition, includes the
regulation of spatial planning (Bellas 2014). This maritime spatial planning is
delimited, with the aim of facilitating the implementation of marine strategies, five
subdivisions denominated “demarcations.”
The Atlantic region includes three demarcations: the North Atlantic (NOR,
Spanish north coast), the South Atlantic (SUD, Spanish coast of the Gulf of
Cádiz), and the Canary Islands (CAN, the Canary Islands). The Mediterranean
region comprises two demarcations: the Levantine-Balearic (LEBA, east coast of
Spain and Balearic Islands) and the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea (ESAL). The
demarcations were delimited according it biogeography and oceanographic and
hydrological characteristics.
Therefore, the Alboran Sea is within the ESAL demarcation of the MSFD. Within
the regional coordination, in a first step, regional expert work groups were
established for the generation of a report that includes the baseline and environment
status from each descriptor previously detailed (MITECO 2020).
In general, ESAL shows a good environment status in function of its biodiversity,
marine fisheries resources, and habitats. However, multiple sources of impact and
threats have been identified among which are listed: extraction of solids (i.e.,
exploitation of underwater deposits and port dredges), extractions of sands for the
creation and regeneration of beaches, discharges of dredged material, regeneration of
beaches and creation of artificial beaches, offshore wind farms, alteration of hydrodynamic conditions and modification of sedimentation, retention of river flow in
reservoirs and other regulatory infrastructures, extraction of fishing species of
commercial interest through trawling, boat anchoring, human pressures for the use
of recreational coastal water and seawater (diving, noise, tourism, etc.), marine litter
and other wastes, desalination plants, accidental and/or uncontrolled discharges,
introduction of microbial pathogens, invasive species, ballast water discharge, and
aquaculture.
Next step is the performance of the monitoring program, which they will be
addressed to implement seawater strategies for the development of the continuous
assessment of the state of the marine environment and will be used to estimate the
resistance between the environment state of the demarcation, based on the elements
listed in the Annex III of the MSFD. This second cycle is currently in progress.
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
813
Directive (called “MSFD” or “Directive” hereinafter) (Bellas 2014). The main
objectives of this Directive into others are to protect and preserve the marine
environment. The MSFD in Spain is under the umbrella of Law 41/2010 for the
protection of the marine environment (LPME). The LPME, in addition, includes the
regulation of spatial planning (Bellas 2014). This maritime spatial planning is
delimited, with the aim of facilitating the implementation of marine strategies, five
subdivisions denominated “demarcations.”
The Atlantic region includes three demarcations: the North Atlantic (NOR,
Spanish north coast), the South Atlantic (SUD, Spanish coast of the Gulf of
Cádiz), and the Canary Islands (CAN, the Canary Islands). The Mediterranean
region comprises two demarcations: the Levantine-Balearic (LEBA, east coast of
Spain and Balearic Islands) and the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea (ESAL). The
demarcations were delimited according it biogeography and oceanographic and
hydrological characteristics.
Therefore, the Alboran Sea is within the ESAL demarcation of the MSFD. Within
the regional coordination, in a first step, regional expert work groups were
established for the generation of a report that includes the baseline and environment
status from each descriptor previously detailed (MITECO 2020).
In general, ESAL shows a good environment status in function of its biodiversity,
marine fisheries resources, and habitats. However, multiple sources of impact and
threats have been identified among which are listed: extraction of solids (i.e.,
exploitation of underwater deposits and port dredges), extractions of sands for the
creation and regeneration of beaches, discharges of dredged material, regeneration of
beaches and creation of artificial beaches, offshore wind farms, alteration of hydrodynamic conditions and modification of sedimentation, retention of river flow in
reservoirs and other regulatory infrastructures, extraction of fishing species of
commercial interest through trawling, boat anchoring, human pressures for the use
of recreational coastal water and seawater (diving, noise, tourism, etc.), marine litter
and other wastes, desalination plants, accidental and/or uncontrolled discharges,
introduction of microbial pathogens, invasive species, ballast water discharge, and
aquaculture.
Next step is the performance of the monitoring program, which they will be
addressed to implement seawater strategies for the development of the continuous
assessment of the state of the marine environment and will be used to estimate the
resistance between the environment state of the demarcation, based on the elements
listed in the Annex III of the MSFD. This second cycle is currently in progress.
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
813