Respect the Sea, Reduce Your Speed: Raising Awareness at the Palma International Boat Show

The annual Palma International Boat Show is upon us once more, taking place this year from 30 April to 3 May. As one of the largest boating events in the Mediterranean region, it draws around thirty thousand attendees who come to admire all kinds of vessels — from llaüts, the traditional fishing boats, to superyachts over 24 metres. The event brings together key service providers, enterprises, and members of the yachting community. At the heart of it all, one passion connects everyone involved: their love for the sea.

Save the Med's RIB Ondine on a turtle release mission in 2021

This year, Save the Med joins the show with an important mission: raising awareness of a new speed regulation approved by the Balearic Government for the waters of Sa Dragonera, one of the foundation’s focal points and areas of action. The law, which limits navigation speeds in the Marine Reserve of Es Freu de Sa Dragonera to 10 knots, marks a major step forward in protecting local marine ecosystems — and reflects a growing commitment to the health of the Balearic Sea.

A Call from the Community

In 2024, Save the Med joined Xarxa Dragonera Blava and Els Voltors Sports Group during the annual public nautical event Volta a Sa Dragonera en caiac. Together, they 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 environmental disruption.

According to Vesselfinder, 7,553 vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) crossed the Freu de Sant Elm between 2022 and 2023 — a number that could triple when accounting for all vessels. Notably, 82% of crossings occur during the summer, when marine ecosystems are especially vulnerable.

In response to the mobilisation and other campaigns led by NGOs, 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 BOIB marked the culmination of efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems in this protected area. The new speed limit of 10 knots applies to boats navigating the marine reserve, including those crossing through Es Freu, to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems of Sa Dragonera and its surroundings.

Why Speed Matters

Speeding boats are not just a threat to human security at sea affecting beach goers on a summer day. They are responsible for higher CO2 emissions, black carbon, and other atmospheric pollutants, as well as causing noise and disturbance that affects underwater ecosystems. 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.”

Studies by the Belgian Ministry of Environment, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and OceanCare show that lowering vessel speed can reduce pollution, underwater noise, and even ship-whale collisions. Sharon Livermore, Director of Marine Conservation at IFAW, called this a “cost-effective solution” with immediate benefits for the ocean, climate, and marine species.

A Simple Rule with Big Impact

Respecting the new 10-knot limit isn’t just about following rules — it’s about understanding why they exist. It’s a collective commitment to ensure that everyone — humans and wildlife alike — can enjoy a safe, healthy, and peaceful environment in the Balearic Sea. Reducing the speed of vessels is an important step in the right direction for a thriving marine reserve and regenerated Balearic sea.

At the Palma International Boat Show, Save the Med will be there to remind attendees of this responsibility — and to inspire a future where slowing down means moving forward for marine regeneration.

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Check the full Stewardship Actions to Care for the Andratx Coastline by clicking the image below: