Save the Med Foundation took part in the annual Palma International Boat Show in late April with a very important mission: raising awareness of a new speed regulation approved by the Balearic Government in early March of this year for the waters of Sa Dragonera, one of the foundation’s key areas of focus. The law, which limits navigation speeds in the Sa Dragonera Marine Reserve to 10 knots, marks a major step forward in protecting local marine ecosystems — and reflects a growing commitment to creating the conditions needed for a thriving Balearic Sea in the future.

As one of the Mediterranean’s largest boating events, the Palma International Boat Show,  attracts around 30,000 attendees who come to admire a wide range of vessels — from traditional llaüts to superyachts over 24 metres. It’s a vibrant gathering of service providers, companies, and passionate members of the yachting community. At the heart of it all is a shared love for the sea. Save the Med conducted a pulse check to see how the yachting community in Mallorca feels about this new measure.

A new law

As described in our previous article, Lower Revs for A Safer Mediterranean, published in the September edition of last year’s Islander Magazine, Save the Med joined the Xarxa Dragonera Blava (Blue Dragonera Network) —  a local entity that brings together local citizens, government representatives, experts, activists, and anyone who wants to help regenerate the region — and the Els Voltors Sports Group during the Kayak Tour Around Sa Dragonera. The Volta a Sa Dragonera is a public event which is attended by hundreds of kayakers each summer. Together with these groups, Save the Med raised concerns about increasing maritime traffic and boat speeds in the reserve — a major issue for the coastal community of Andratx, with implications for both safety and ecological disruption.

In response to this pressure, the Andratx City Council passed a motion urging the Balearic Government to regulate speeds in the reserve. On March 11, the publication of Order 6/2025 in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands (BOIB) marked the culmination of efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems in this protected area. The new maximum speed limit of 10 knots aims to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems of Sa Dragonera and Sant Elm – providing new hope towards a better protection of these precious waters.

It’s not just about human safety

Boat speed doesn’t just pose a safety risk to humans out at sea or beachgoers on a sunny day — it also leads to higher CO₂ emissions, black carbon, and noise pollution, all of which cause severe disturbances and have serious consequences for underwater ecosystems and marine life. 

Biologist Yaiza Santana, coordinator of the Sa Dragonera Blava project at Save the Med, notes that vessel speed is a significant stress factor for the marine ecosystem: “It has been shown to affect behaviours like reproduction and foraging, which can reduce fish populations — even those important to local fisheries.” According to two studies commissioned by the Belgian Ministry of the Environment, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and OceanCare, lowering the speed would reduce each of the above-mentioned negative impacts on underwater life. as well as for the quality of seawater itself. The analyses also indicate that this reduction in speed would lead to a significant reduction in underwater noise, resulting in quick action to achieve healthy oceans.

Reactions from the yachting community

At this year’s Palma Boat Show, under the first heavy-hitting sunrays of the year, a few Save the Med team members made their way through the multitude of commercial stands and yacht admirers on their mission to raise awareness on the new boat speed regulation, and gather first impressions regarding this important measure. To the team’s surprise, they found that among those interviewed, there was little awareness of the recently passed law. However, once informed, support for the measure was unanimous. Lars Molin, Founder of Palma Yacht Crew, said: “I was unaware of this, and I think it’s a fantastic initiative. It will certainly help nature, limit accidents with wildlife, and boat safety – it matters very much.”  Raimon Martínez, Captain of the first fully electric sailingboat Galaxie dedicated to marine regeneration and climate action, stated “I think that’s fantastic. I actually think it should be applied to the entire coast of Mallorca. 10 knots is enough. It also allows the navigant to be less stressed and enjoy the navigation instead of trying to push up the speed. I think that’s beneficial for all species, including humans.” 

Help us spread the word

The message is clear: slowing down means moving forward for marine conservation. When passing through the protected waters of the Sa Dragonera Marine Reserve, it is up to all of us—especially the yachting community, both local and visiting—to remind fellow seafarers of the 10-knot speed limit. Through these small actions, we can all help create safe, peaceful and thriving conditions in the Balearic Sea.