Political parties promise extension of Cabrera reserve

The ecology organisation, Oceana, said yesterday that four political parties in the Balearics - Guanyem, Més, Podemos and PSOE - have promised in their election manifestos to extend the Cabrera National Park, meaning that they are proposing an extension of current conservation measures and a regeneration of fishing; both of which have been called for some time.
These measures would include the creation of a new protected marine area of the subterranean mountains in the Majorcan Channel. Oceana believes that this could be turned into the largest such area in the Mediterranean.
The four parties have also agreed to the creation of other marine reserves for Sa Dragonera, Tagomago and the Tramuntana mountains in line with fishing sustainability measures applied through European and Spanish legislation. Oceana says that at present and in many instances this legislation is ignored by Balearic fishermen.
Oceana has studied the electoral programme of different parties. Més says that it would widen the boundaries of the existing nature parks and improve vigilance in order to avoid illegal fishing. Two parties - El Pi and the UPyD - would also incorporate positive protection methods, though neither party is as categorical in stating intentions.
 El Pi speaks of studying the possibility of increasing the Cabrera park and of seeking consensus in the application of existing protection laws. The UPyD would restrict trawling and support the initiative for there to be a sanctuary for the red tuna as well as an initiative for offshore wind farms. The party does not say anything specific in respect of the existing conservation area.