Cetaceans Migration Corridor in the Mediterranean

Schéma ISEA :

Schemas

Territory :

The Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor is a Marine Protected Area (MPA), located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, covering a continuous strip of maritime waters of 46,385 km2 and an average width of 85 km. It runs between the Catalan and Valencian coasts and the Balearic archipelago. In the west, it stretches from Cape Nao to Cape Creus, at a distance of some 38 km from the coast of mainland Spain, and in the east it runs parallel to the coasts of the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca, some 13 km from the archipelago.

Physical characteristic :

The area corresponds to the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Its average depth is 2,500 metres. From a topographical point of view, the coastline of this Demarcation is rugged, being surrounded by coastal mountain ranges, with some narrow coastal plains, as in the case of the Gulf of Valencia. The most important geographical features of this coastline are the capes of San Antonio, Llobregat, Bagur and Rosas, the Ebro delta and the channels between the Balearic Islands.

Specificity and importance :

These waters bear high ecological value and form a vitally important corridor for the survival of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean. This is the case of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which uses this area in its migration to other latitudes during the spring. Additionally, it is the habitat and feeding zone for many cetacean species, like the fin whale itself, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), and the Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). It is also the habitat of other ocean species like the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and different seabird species.

Threats and Pressures :

The threat to marine life in the Mediterranean is a stark reality. A total of 10 marine mammals are ranked as ‘threatened' in this corridor, among which are the humpback whale and the stripped dolphin.

Until today, several human activities were posing a threat to these species, including fishing activity, maritime traffic and offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation. With fishing activity come the risk of bycatch—the incidental capture of non-target species. Maritime traffic poses threats due to the noise pollution generated and to the risk of collisions. And offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation can cause noise and vibrations which are harmful to the fauna.

Ecological characteristics :

These waters have great ecological value and constitute a corridor of cetacean migration of vital importance for the survival of cetaceans in the Western Mediterranean. Sharks as manta mobula (Mobula mobular) and seabirds have also been detected in the area.

Management :

Ministry for Ecological Transition, Mr Francisco Guil Celada fguil@miteco.es

A detailed management plan is being developed that will address and regulate possible environmental impacts.

Geographical position :

The area comprises the entire marine area, including the waters in which it is embedded, the seabed, the subsoil and the natural resources within the limits established by the following geographical coordinates: