The sea is a source of life that surrounds Mallorca without which the island could not be understood. To balance the relationship between the pressure exerted by humans and the marine environment, the figure of marine reserves was born.

These are areas that have a higher capacity than others to create fingerling and the promotion of species, also favoring the regeneration of the resources of the adjacent spaces and allowing fishermen to obtain a more important yield.

The marine reserves network that exists in Mallorca is an example of a sustainable economy. So far there are a total of six protected areas, in which the exploitation of resources is regulated and the proliferation of species is promoted, without neglecting the conservation of marine ecosystems with differentiated ecological characteristics.

List of marine reserves in Mallorca

  1. Del Toro Island.
    It is the marine reserve in which more recreational dives are carried out. A European benchmark that attracts approximately 20,000 divers a year. Its geography and ocean currents allow it to host very important populations of groupers and corvallos in such a small space.
  2. Palma Bay.
    It was one of the first protected marine areas in Spain when in 1982 it was declared an underwater protected landscape area at the initiative of the Palma Beach Hotel Association. Today, as a marine reserve, the reproductive aggregations of parsnips or whip rays stand out during the spring on its sandy bottoms.
  3. Migjorn of Mallorca.
    In the largest of the Balearic marine reserves, the parrot or raor fish stands out, since in the area of ​​Cape Ses Salines one of the most important fisheries in Mallorca is located. In this reserve there are areas of environmental importance. These are the Es Trenc natural park and it is clear that preserving the marine environment also generates touristic wealth.
  4. Freu of Dragonera.
    It is the last to join the marine reserves network, declared at the end of 2016. It highlights the recovery of its marine fauna and flora during the last four years. And, above all, its growth potential for the coming years by prohibiting the more aggressive fishing systems (trawling, underwater or rodeo) and thus regulate their exploitation.
  5. Malgrats Islands.
    The populations of large wrasses such as merlo, green gum and thrush are important. The reserve has a high ecological and fishing value due to the diversity of habitats. It is to be expected that over time, the control of its exploitation will allow the recovery of sedentary species such as grouper, corvina, etc.
  6. East of Mallorca.
    The only shared management reserve in the Balearic Islands, in which the external water area is administered by the State while the internal water area is managed by the CAIB. It highlights the recovery of the populations of crustaceans such as lobster and Norway lobster.

* With the collaboration and photos of the General Directorate of Fisheries and the Marine Environment.