Marina Ibiza, as sponsor and main promoter of the Marine Forum, has helped organise various initiatives throughout 2024 to raise awareness and mobilise citizens about the protection of marine ecosystems in the Balearic Islands.
The Marine Forum recently marked its sixth edition with a series of events and activities involving children, young people, scientists, biologists and environmental organisations.
In the month of May, the fifth edition of the Future Forum was held to encourage young people to take part in the conservation of the Mediterranean.
This event, aimed at youngsters between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, featured prominent speakers.
The topic “Zero Emissions Also in Our Lungs” was pitched, with the aim of underlining the importance of young people helping protect the oceans. Two training projects carried out by the students of the Colegio de Santa Gertrudis (Ibiza) and the IES Calviá (Mallorca) were also presented, reflecting the hard work of the new generations towards improving the marine environment.
The Future Forum coincided with the commemoration of World No-Tobacco Day, so this edition included a nationwide clean-up of cigarette butts promoted by the Surfrider Foundation, which took place across the Balearics on Saturday 1 June with the catchphrase “Let’s Stop Suffocating the Planet”.
Dani Marí, Manager of Marina Ibiza, said that “Marina Ibiza supports initiatives such as the Future Forum, which inspire new generations to protect the Mediterranean. Youth involvement in such important projects fills us with hope for the future of our oceans”.
In September, the Marine Forum, together with other partners such as Observers of the Sea and Ibiza Town Council, held two important events. The first, “Ibiza, Formentera and the Sea: Citizen Science”, highlighted the importance of collaboration between citizens and scientists for the conservation of the marine ecosystems of Ibiza and Formentera. The second was the photographic exhibition “Meaning”, organised by MARE and the Marine Forum, which set out to raise awareness about the fragility of the Balearic Sea, showing images that highlight its natural wealth.
2024 also marked an important milestone with the expansion of the Marine Forum to all four of the Balearics, starting in Ibiza in October and continuing to Mallorca, Formentera and Menorca.
Marcos Marí, CEO of Marina Ibiza, pointed out that “the expansion of the Marine Forum to all four of the Balearics signifies huge progress in terms of awareness and collective action for the protection of our marine environment. This growth reflects our community’s commitment to the Mediterranean and its sustainable future”.
The opening day of the sixth edition of the Marine Forum addressed vitally important topics such as the protection of Posidonia seagrass and the impact of climate change on the Mediterranean, with the participation of leading experts such as Manu San Félix and Theresa Zabell.
On 6 October, an activity was organized aboard the 100% electric S/Y Galaxie, where a group of participants explored Posidonia meadows to see one of the most iconic species in the Mediterranean. This activity included underwater photography workshops and also marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of UNESCO listing Posidonia as a World Heritage Site.
What’s more, the Marine Forum organised another key day in October on sustainable fishing, which brought together fishermen, institutional representatives and experts in marine conservation. This was part of the partnership with the Calant Xarxes Alliance, an initiative that promotes responsible fishing in the Balearic Islands.
On 25 October, three innovative projects focused on the conservation of the Mediterranean were presented in Formentera: a marine debris remote sensing system, the “Submerged” educational podcast on biodiversity, and the “Posidonia Soundscapes and Marine Conservation” project, which combines science and art to raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Dani Marí explained that “taking part in activities such as the exploration of Posidonia meadows and in conferences on sustainable fishing underlines our commitment to conservation of the Mediterranean. Seeing environmental experts, fishermen and young people working together is a sign that change is possible when we join forces”.
The last day of the 2024 Marine Forum was 7 November, with a focus on the urgent need to protect 30% of the Mediterranean Sea by 2030, with 10% strict protection. Also unveiled was the Marine Protected Area project, key to sperm whale breeding, while threats facing the Mediterranean, such as overfishing, pollution and climate change, were discussed.
Marina Ibiza, as sponsor and promoter of the Marine Forum, has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of the sea and continues to support initiatives that promote a more sustainable future for the Balearic Islands.
Marcos Marí, said that “rounding off the 2024 Marine Forum by highlighting the need to protect the Mediterranean at all costs highlights our conviction that only with ambitious and collaborative measures can we guarantee the future of our oceans. Marina Ibiza will continue to support projects that foster marine conservation and protect the natural wealth of the Balearic Islands”.