IbizaPreservation and One Planet One Life join forces to help the nautical sector of Ibiza & Formentera lead the way in terms of responsible practices oriented towards sustainability
IBIZA, 29/06/2022 – As part of its marine protection work, IbizaPreservation has backed a new initiative by the association One Planet One Life with the goal of minimising the negative impacts of the nautical sector on the environment. The new “responsible boating” training experience is aimed at people and companies in the sector who are looking for direction on more responsible sailing and sustainable tourism.
The shipping fleet is responsible for more than 3% of global man-made carbon dioxide emissions, and this percentage is increasing. Over the last three decades, the industry has grown by an annual average of 5% according to data from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The evolution of maritime traffic of goods and passengers has led to an increase in the sector’s polluting emissions, which contrasts with the limited progress made in reducing atmospheric pollution from land-based sources.
In the case of Ibiza, in the month of June alone the port has had 23 cruise ship arrivals, according to data collected by PIMEEF from the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB). In addition, the recreational boating sector has a very important role in the Balearics, accounting for 80% of maritime activity – 20% more than in the rest of Spain. Maritime Rescue estimates that 400,000 people will board one of these boats in Ibiza this season, most of them tourists. For this reason, and in line with the work already being done by institutions such as the Consell of Ibiza, IbizaPreservation and One Planet One Life underline the need to raise awareness among the tourists who visit the islands every year so that their holidays are as sustainable as possible and their impact on the territory minimised.
“We understand that to protect and care for the marine environment on which we depend we need to know it better,” says Mirko Abbruzzese, a member of One Planet One Life, who explains that: “we offer training with theoretical and practical content on the marine environment and on the impact of the nautical industry, with the aim of encouraging less damaging behaviours and practical alternatives more aligned with the care of the sea and the planet, as well as our own health and economy.”
For her part, IbizaPreservation’s director Inma Saranova recalls that it is estimated that more than 2,000 boats sail between Ibiza and Formentera every day in summer, in an area considered a Natural Park and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. “IbizaPreservation is actively working on its Posidonia protection project to determine the main problems affecting this marine treasure. Both private and commercial shipping generate emissions and increase environmental pollution through practices that contribute to the degradation of marine biodiversity.”
Saranova added that, “Although some parts of the sector, such as marinas and yacht clubs, are already actively involved in minimising this impact through environmental programmes and certifications, as well as awareness-raising campaigns, it is important that training in this type of responsible boating reaches the entire sector.”
IbizaPreservation has financed the creation of this course developed by One Planet One Life, which also counts on the support of the Marine Forum and the Sailing Club of Ibiza. The aim is that the companies of the nautical sector, as well as the marinas of Ibiza and Formentera, can offer the training to their workers and their employees. An additional objective is that the clients of these companies, mostly tourists, become aware of the importance of choosing sustainable products and services.
During the three-hour course, participants will learn basic concepts about marine biodiversity, increase their understanding of the impact of nautical activities in order to minimise it, and deal with specific issues such as waste and wastewater management and fuel-efficient boating, among others.
“The way we steer a boat greatly influences the pollution we emit and the economic expense it requires. We can combine savings in emissions and monetary economies in favour of a healthier ecosystem,” states Diego de la Viña One Planet One Life, another of the skippers in charge of the courses. “Clear information about what to do and what not to do before starting a day at sea can save bad behaviour based on ignorance,” says De la Viña who, together with Abbruzzese, plus a marine biologist and a psychologist, have developed the course units. It can be booked by the island’s nautical companies by contacting the One Planet One Life association via email at info@oneplanetonelife.org.
Several companies have already expressed their interest in the training, which also has the support of the Balearic Islands team of the Spanish MITECO (Ministry for Ecological Transition), which is running a project for the conservation, improvement of knowledge and protection of protected spaces, habitats and marine species.
