Xarxa Dragonera Blava Celebrates Its 15th Forum
Marina Port d’Andratx hosted the 15th Forum of the Xarxa Dragonera Blava (XDB)—a participatory network that brings together residents, local sectors, and community members ac
ross the Andratx community in Mallorca to foster informed, active engagement in coastal stewardship, decision-making, and the management of the Sa Dragonera Marine Protected Area.
“In this edition, held in collaboration with the Natural Environment Planning Service of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, we led a participatory workshop allowing local sectors to contribute directly to the upcoming Management Plan for the Sa Dragonera SCI (Site of Community Importance). This marks another significant step toward achieving the core goals behind the network's creation,” explained Yaiza Santana, Project Coordinator at Save the Med Foundation.
During the session, stakeholder input centered on four priority areas: anchoring management, nautical activities, diving operations, and broader environmental factors including water quality, commercial and recreational fishing, and priority scientific research.
The Xarxa Dragonera Blava was established in March 2022 as an independent platform under the Sa Dragonera Blava project, managed by the Save the Med Foundation. Its mission is to amplify the voices of local residents and marine users connected to Sa Dragonera and Sant Elm, empowering them to directly influence marine conservation efforts. Over 165 individuals representing key sectors have taken part to date, including local residents, conservation groups, cultural organisations, commercial and recreational fishers, nautical and diving operators, research institutions, and public authorities.
Among the platform’s biggest milestones is its pivotal role in establishing vessel speed limits around Sa Dragonera, formally enacted in March 2025 by the Directorate-General for Fisheries (Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment). The demand was sparked by a grassroots initiative launched in 2024, when XDB highlighted safety and environmental concerns during the 31st Kayak Tour of Sa Dragonera island and conducted a community survey on maritime safety and conservation. After XDB presented its findings to the Marine Reserve Advisory Committee, the Directorate-General for Fisheries requested a formal position from the Andratx Town Council, which passed a unanimous motion in support. To ensure compliance, the network partnered with the Balearic Government to roll out "Poc a Poc" ("Slowly"), a multi-media public awareness campaign featuring four short videos and educational outreach materials.
XDB has also established a framework for local environmental action and public outreach by building cross-sector partnerships. Key public campaigns include the publication of the Andratx Coastal Best Practices Guide alongside outreach materials highlighting regional marine protection regulations and biodiversity values.
On the conservation front, the community has mobilised to remove heavy marine debris from the seabed off Sant Elm and is currently collaborating with the Amics de Sant Elm association and Cleanwave Foundation’s MedGardens initiative to minimise anchoring impacts around the islet of El Pantaleu.
Efforts have also targeted water quality management in Sant Elm to better understand and address local pollution sources. This community stewardship model is further strengthened through underwater photography workshops, Posidonia sea-dip sessions, and citizen science programs—educational initiatives that not only deepen the community’s connection to the sea, but also equip local champions to mentor others and pass on their knowledge.
Additionally, XDB collaborates closely with the Sa Dragonera Natural Park administration and both regional (Balearic) and national Directorate-General for Fisheries authorities.
“For those of us coordinating the forum over these past 15 editions, it is immensely rewarding to see the growing recognition given to initiatives like Xarxa Dragonera Blava, which synthesise the collective voice of local stakeholders,” said Olivia Mas, Project Officer at Save the Med. “We see that working together delivers real impact—making governance more efficient and grounded in local realities. Most importantly, participants now feel far more confident in their ability to shape the management of their own coastline.”
A Benchmark Model for Participatory Marine Governance
Inspired by pioneering marine stewardship models such as the Las Canteras Micro-area in the Canary Islands and the Formentera Marine Stewardship Table, the Xarxa Dragonera Blava forum is now one of the longest-running participatory processes in Mallorca. It serves as a proven blueprint for emerging initiatives across Menorca, Ibiza, and other coastal areas of Mallorca. Furthermore, XDB has joined ALAMAR, a collaborative marine stewardship network connecting island territories across the Balearics and Canaries to advance community participation and participatory governance in marine and coastal conservation.
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