Talaia nord forum drives marine conservation in Pollença

At the latest Talaia Nord forum (meaning: Northern Watchtower) — a quarterly community forum co-organised by Arrels Marines and Save the Med in the Mallorcan town of Pollença — citizens are taking decisive steps to advance marine conservation of this northern part of the island.

As described in our previous article, and thanks to the efforts of local NGO and Save the Med partner Arrels Marines, the Talaia Nord forum has become an important platform for dialogue and community engagement on local marine and environmental issues in the municipality of Pollença, located in the Formentor Peninsula in northern Mallorca. The most recent edition, which took place in early July, was especially significant, as it witnessed local citizens taking decisive steps to push forward two major conservation initiatives. 

In the lead-up to the Forum and in its aftermath, Arrels Marines and members of the local community have been collecting signatures from residents of the municipality of Pollença in support of two petitions. The first calls for expanding the Site of Community Importance (SCI) of the Menorca Channel to include areas within the municipality, such as Cala Sant Vicenç, Cala Castell, and Ariant. The second urges improvements to the management plans for the existing SCIs in the Bays of Alcúdia and Pollença.  In the case of the latter, the 2007 management plan was generic and identical to those of other SCIs, and was later annulled by a royal decree. As a result, there is currently no management plan in place, making the drafting and formal approval of a new, site-specific plan a key priority.

Why is this important? An SCI is a site that is regarded by the European Commission as being of EU-level significance for the conservation of natural habitats or species, and forms part of the Natura 2000 Network, the European-wide network of protected areas. From the moment an SCI is listed, EU member states must prevent habitat degradation and species disturbance, and any projects that could affect the site must undergo environmental assessment, ensuring its ecological integrity is safeguarded. 

If any region is worth protecting it is the Formentor Peninsula and surroundings pertaining to the municipality of Pollença. Part of the UNESCO-listed Tramuntana mountain range, it features the island’s longest coastline and stands out as one of the most significant biodiversity hotspots in the Balearics. It is home to over 500 species, including threatened ones such as sharks, devil rays, turtles, tuna, and marine mammals, as well as unique marine habitats ranging from Posidonia meadows to underwater caves—making it a key area for both conservation and tourism. Unfortunately the latter, combined with other expanding human activities, is placing growing pressure on local marine and coastal ecosystems. An increase in reports of stranded vessels, seabed debris, boats anchoring on Posidonia meadows, and disturbances from boating and coastal leisure activities during high season, underscores the urgent need for stronger regulations and protection measures.

Although the existing SCI designations under the Natura 2000 Network offer legal protection, the implementation and monitoring of these protection measures for these two designated areas is virtually non-existent. This is because the SCI designation does not cover all areas of high ecological value, and no management plan currently exists to effectively implement protection measures – despite the existence of regulations such as the 25/2018 Decree on the Conservation of the Posidonia Oceanica, which protects posidonia meadows in all of the Balearic waters from uncontrolled anchoring, bottom trawling, and dumping. By advocating for expanded and better-managed protection in these areas, the citizens of Pollença are taking direct action to ensure a healthier marine environment for current and future generations. 

The Pollença Town Council responded to the citizens’ initiative by passing a motion formally backing the proposals. This is a key milestone: gaining the support of local government is a critical step in any policy change, and it underscores the growing awareness of how essential marine conservation is — not only to environmental sustainability, but also to the social and economic well-being of coastal communities.

Now, the focus shifts to the regional and national levels. The next steps include urging the competent public authorities to ensure transparency and the participation of local social, scientific, and environmental stakeholders in the drafting and approval of these management plans.

This participatory approach is vital. It ensures that conservation strategies are informed by those who know the marine environment best — the fishers, scientists, divers, sailors, and residents who live and work in these coastal areas. By involving local voices in decision-making, the process becomes more transparent, inclusive, and ultimately more effective. It also reinforces the idea that environmental protection is not something imposed from above, but something that emerges from shared values, community, and local action. Forums like Foro Talaia Nord empower citizens to engage directly with environmental governance, and their success here shows the tangible impact such involvement can have.

The story unfolding in Pollença is far from over. As proposals move forward and participatory processes begin, the real work of implementation will require ongoing collaboration, monitoring, and adaptation. But one thing is already clear: grassroots action can be a powerful driver of policy change. When communities unite around a shared vision for a healthier planet, their voices can — and do — shape the future.