Spain begins the process to declare its first marine national park on the island of El Hierro

Opposite La Restinga, the southernmost settlement in all of Spain, there is a sharp underwater mountain with two peaks that just missed emerging from the waters by just a handful of feet. It is known as El Bajón, and is one of the most legendary dives for underwater photography enthusiasts, because this steep wall subject to currents is home to a large number of species, such as enormous groupers and manta rays. The underwater mountain has been part of the Mar de las Calmas (Sea of Calm) marine fishing reserve since 1996, which has greatly contributed to maintaining the enormous biodiversity of this area south of El Hierro, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. The Spanish government on Tuesday took a further step to extend its protection, surface area and recognition: the Cabinet has approved the proposal to declare Mar de las Calmas a national park. Now a process begins that will conclude with a bill that will have to be ratified by parliament. If successfully completed, it will be the first entirely marine national park in Spain, and the 17th in the state network of national parks.

Seguir leyendo