Spain’s First Marine National Park Is In Tuna-Rich Grounds

The Spanish government will soon announce Mar de Las Calmas, located in the southwest of the Canary Islands, as the country's first national marine park. This area, known for its scenic beauty, is a popular tourist spot located in the Atlantic Ocean which is rich in tuna. Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, said that the latest move aligns with the government’s commitment to the UN 30x30 framework, which is to protect 30 percent of the oceans by 2030, reported Spanish news sites. Mar de Las Calmas was declared a Special Conservation Zone in 2011, but it did not receive any other privileges until there was a push in 2017 by NGOs (such as WWF Spain) and conservationists to make it a marine national park. Mar de Las Calmas, which has an area of ​​more than 24,000 hectares, is known for its volcanic rocky seabeds. Conserving it will benefit artisanal and environmentally friendly fishing, and attract sensitive tourism, reported the National Geographic. The declaration is being processed after its approval in July and is likely to be announced soon.