{"id":152612,"date":"2026-02-13T10:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mallorcaglobalmag.es\/plan-conservacion-tiburones-rayas-balears\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T12:16:56","slug":"plan-conservacion-tiburones-rayas-balears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mallorcaglobalmag.es\/en\/plan-conservacion-tiburones-rayas-balears\/","title":{"rendered":"The Govern promotes a pioneering plan to protect sharks and rays in the Balearic Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sharks and rays of the Balearic Islands<\/strong> will, for the first time<\/strong>, be backed by a dedicated protection strategy<\/strong>. The Government of the Balearic Islands<\/strong>, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, has approved the Action Plan for the Conservation of Elasmobranchs in the Balearic Islands<\/strong>\u2014a pioneering initiative in Spain and across the Mediterranean<\/strong> that marks a turning point for marine conservation<\/strong> in the archipelago.<\/p>\n

\"Sharks

The tope shark (locally known as alit\u00e1n<\/em> or gatvaire<\/em>) is one of the elasmobranch species at risk of extinction in Balearic waters. Photo: CAIB.<\/p><\/div>\n

The document, already published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB)<\/strong>, sets out a comprehensive framework for action<\/strong> to halt the decline<\/strong> of these species, which are essential to the balance of marine ecosystems. The Director General for Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau<\/strong>, stressed that \u201cthis Plan represents a decisive step<\/strong> towards more effective protection of the Balearic Sea, bringing together conservation and responsible fishing<\/strong>.\u201d \u201cThe Balearic Islands are once again at the forefront of marine policy<\/strong>, with a rigorous, practical and ambitious tool<\/strong> built with the involvement of the sector and the scientific community<\/strong>,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Concerning situation for sharks and rays in the Balearic Islands<\/h2>\n

The need for the plan reflects an alarming reality<\/strong>. Of the 56<\/strong> elasmobranch species\u2014sharks and rays\u2014recorded in the Balearics, 34 are threatened and 17 are critically endangered or have already become regionally extinct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sharks and rays play an essential role in marine ecosystems, sitting at the top of the food chain. Their disappearance can trigger serious ecological imbalances.<\/p>\n

The Director General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres<\/strong>, said that \u201cconserving sharks and rays is not only about protecting species; it is a commitment to the health of marine ecosystems and the future of our natural heritage<\/strong>.\u201d Torres also underlined that \u201cthe Balearic Sea remains an area of exceptional biological richness within the western Mediterranean, and it is everyone\u2019s responsibility to protect it with tools such as this Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

A pioneering plan for marine conservation<\/h3>\n

The strategy approved by the Government is structured around six key lines of action<\/strong>:<\/p>\n