Sacrificing quality for quantity is a familiar dilemma that everyone faces in their daily lives, especially when shopping. Unfortunately, some governments operate in much the same way when it comes to conserving our natural environment, whether on land or at sea. We addressed this issue in a recent article regarding the expansion of the Freus Marine Reserve in Ibiza and Formentera. There, the Balearic government proposes to expand the reserve while reducing its level of protection by removing certain restrictions on recreational fishing.
Lowering the level of protection of a marine protected area (MPA) by removing restrictions, or expanding its size without increasing the resources needed for proper management ‒ or even cutting back on surveillance, as the central government did a few months ago in marine reserves ‒ has consequences. If protection decreases, so does the quality of habitats and the species we are meant to protect. It’s not rocket science.
MPAs, and particularly no-take reserves, are the most effective tool for restoring our seas, replenishing fish stocks, creating economic opportunities across multiple sectors, and enhancing public enjoyment and wellbeing. For this reason, the number one priority of our foundation is the creation of more and better MPAs and no-take reserves.
When it comes to protecting the sea, we do not accept being forced to choose between quality and quantity. Neither do we do accept the lack of resources to make it possible.
The budget currently allocated by governments ‒ both central and Balearic ‒ to marine conservation is very low, less than €10 million per year. Considering the value the sea represents for our islands, this is negligible. A much larger budget is needed to maintain a well-managed and exemplary network of marine reserves. Suppose €50 million were allocated, less than 1% of the Balearic government’s annual budget. This is a relatively small amount compared to other budget items, comparable to the cost of five superyachts or a handful of luxury villas.
Science and data show that investing in marine conservation pays off. According to government data, some no-take reserves in the Balearic Islands have increased commercially valuable fish biomass by between 8 and 17 times. No-take reserves work, but there are far too few of them.
In this regard, the Balearic Sea Conservation Plan presented in February 2026 includes a commitment to expand strictly protected areas tenfold, creating up to 600 km² of no-take reserves. Of these, 500 km² would be located within Cabrera National Park, which would become the largest no-take reserve in the Mediterranean, while the remaining 100 km² would be established in other locations yet to be defined.
To ensure that MPAs deliver the benefits we seek, they must be located where they matter most: where the most valuable, unique habitats and species are found, and where they can best strengthen our marine resources. Our submissions to the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of Cabrera National Park ‒ an approval process that, incidentally, the government has delayed by yet another year ‒ follow this approach. Expanding and improving the MPA network in the Balearic Islands will require more research, better monitoring, and above all, greater enforcement. Cutting corners on marine protection simply does not pay off.
