LIFE-IP INTEMARES

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Title: Integrated, Innovative and Participatory Management for N2000 network in the Marine Environment

Summary: With over a million square kilometres of territorial waters, Spain has the second largest sea area in Europe and, as result of the confluence of three marine regions (North-East Atlantic, Macaronesia and Western Mediterranean), it holds the greatest diversity of habitats and marine species in Europe. In spite of this fact, the conservation of the marine biodiversity and the sustainable use of this natural capital has not been a subject of concern until recently. This situation, however, has developed following the approval of the Spanish regulation for the protection of natural heritage and biodiversity in 2007 and legislation (41/2010) addressing the protection of the marine environment, which transposed the MSFD into law, established marine strategies as essential instruments for the protection of the marine environment, and consolidated the protection of Natura 2000 network sites.


The proper management of the Natura 2000 network is fundamental to complying with the requirements of several European Directives and international conventions, supporting the effective application of the Habitats and Birds Directives, and integrating territorial (national government administration and regional governments) and sectoral policies. The Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000 (PAF), which was developed in Spain by the project LIFE11NAT/ES/700, aims to integrate financing for Natura 2000 into EU financial instruments for 2014-2020. The PAF sets objectives and outlines measures necessary for the maintenance or restoration to a favorable conservation status of habitats and species of Community interest present in the Natura 2000 network, both at terrestrial and marine level. It also identifies the potential contributions that EU funding instruments (such as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Structural Funds and LIFE) can make.


The Integrated Project INTEMARES aims to establish the basis for developing the PAF in the marine Natura 2000 network of Spain. The main objective of the LIFE-IP INTEMARES project is to implement the PAF for Natura 2000 in the Spanish marine Natura 2000 network and ensure that, upon completion, Spain has a consolidated network of marine Natura 2000 sites managed in a demonstrative, effective and integrated way, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as a basic tool for decision-making.


Specific objectives are to:

  • Ensure the maintenance or restoration of the favourable conservation status of habitats and species listed in the annexes of the Habitats and Birds Directives;
  • Ensure the effective management of the marine Natura 2000 Network;
  • Train Natura 2000 network managers and other relevant stakeholders, and create networks to promote cooperation and the exchange of information;
  • Improve critical knowledge for management;
  • Improve monitoring of habitat types and species listed in the annexes of the Nature Directives for a better assessment of their conservation status;
  • Promote innovative approaches to marine Natura 2000 site management (especially funding);
  • Provide information, training and adequate awareness for achieving conservation targets in Natura 2000 sites;
  • Promote sustainable tourism and employment related to the Natura 2000 Network.


In addition to the IPE budget itself, the project will facilitate the coordinated use of €22 million complementary funding from EMFF, ESF and national funds, as applicable.


The overall expected result of the LIFE-IP INTEMARES project is the implementation of the PAF by means of a coherent management of the marine Natura 2000 Network, integrating the different interests of stakeholders, and based on the best scientific knowledge available.


Specific results include:

  • All PAF priorities tackled through the IP;
  • 36% of the overall PAF in Spain and 98% of the PAF in the marine Natura 2000 network implemented;
  • 46 management plans for all marine Natura 2000 sites under the Member State's jurisdiction approved;
  • Four national conservation strategies and seven conservation plans for 34 marine species approved;
  • Nine new areas included in Natura 2000 network and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Target to protect 10% of the Spanish sea area;
  • Use of new technologies for network monitoring and surveillance increased;
  • at least seven new techniques tested;
  • Significant and assessed progress in achieving a good environmental status for habitats and species of Community interest under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD);
  • Integration of the main policies in marine environment (HD, CBD, MSFD, MSP and WSF);
  • An integrated and coordinated management framework between administrations and stakeholders defined;
  • New mechanisms of governance tested;
  • A new governance model tested under different circumstances and in the five MSFD marine areas in order to increase transferability;
  • Managers of the marine environment and other stakeholders in Spain received capacity building to continue the implementation of the PAF once the project has ended and to reduce the impact of economic activities;
  • A legacy strategy implemented and results transferred at a local, regional, national, European and international level;
  • At least 15% of the Spanish population is aware of the project’s progress and results.


For more information, please visit EurOcean Knowledge Gate.

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