The marine protected area in Spain grows to 22.5% with ten new zones.

Madrid, June 24 (EFE).- Ten new special marine conservation zones approved Tuesday by the Council of Ministers will increase the percentage of protected surface area in Spanish waters to 22.5%, on track to reach the goal of 25.7% by the end of the year.

The Third Vice President of the Government and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, has announced the Council's approval of a Royal Decree on Marine Protected Areas, which, she said, represents "a firm step" in the direction outlined by Spain two weeks ago at the United Nations Conference on the Oceans in Nice.

Of the ten areas included in the Royal Decree, seven are considered special protection zones for birds in the Mediterranean marine region, Aagesen indicated.

Ten management plans governing the uses and activities in these areas have also been approved.

"We currently have 20.9% of the marine surface protected. With these plans, we'll reach 22.5%, and our goal is to reach 25.7% by the end of the year," the vice president said. EFEverde

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