Mar de las Calmas, or “the sea of calm”, has been named the first marine national park in Spain. The protected ocean habitat is off the coast of the Canary Islands and is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to the world’s largest population of beaked whales. Fishing has been legally restricted in the area for the past 30 years, which has allowed for marine life to thrive. Coral reefs, underwater volcanoes, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and fish can be found in the pristine waters. Environmental groups have been fighting for the protection of Mar de las Calmas for over a decade, but officials were hesitant to approve the proposal out of fear that it would negatively impact economic activity in the area. After years of advocacy work, the environmentalists prevailed as the Spanish government made Mar de las Calmas an official national park.
Image via Guia Repsol
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