Manu San Félix, a marine biologist, diver, and photographer based in Formentera in the Balearic Islands, supports a signature-collecting initiative. The Reserve30 campaign aims to secure full protection for 30 percent of the Mediterranean by 2030, aligning with UN biodiversity goals. This region, like the Arctic, is warming rapidly due to climate change, endangering marine biodiversity. The campaign emphasizes turning words into tangible action.
-What drives support for the Reserve 30 Mediterráneo campaign, and does public enthusiasm fall short at times?
-The moment I arrived in Formentera at twenty-six, I was a budding marine biologist and a PhD student dreaming of a Mediterranean filled with majestic groupers, seals, and sea beds adorned with red corals, crabs, and lobsters. I believed we could recover what we had damaged if we protected it well. More than three decades have passed, marked by speeches, meetings, the creation of marine protected areas, and sustained media attention aimed at safeguarding the sea. Yet the challenge persists and the struggle continues.
“If we compare market realities from fifty years ago to today, the sea appears on a path toward extinction.”
However, progress remains limited and the Mediterranean’s recovery remains elusive. Large fish have dwindled, numerous species approach critical thresholds, and water quality declines become evident upon entering the water. The campaign emerged from a desire to show people the severity of the situation, urging collective engagement through the Mediterranean Declaration and aiming to restore the sea to the state it held in the 1960s.
-What is the proposed process and timeline for this effort, including how many signatures are hoped for and how will they be used?
-The goal is at least half a million signatures, with optimism for more. It may be an ambitious project, but that does not deter belief in success within a year if possible. The campaign timeline carries the name Reserve 30, signifying protection of 30 percent by 2030. If signatures accumulate, National Geographic will help present them to the government to catalyze policy action and safeguard the Mediterranean.
-Is the objective of protecting 30 percent of the planet’s oceans by 2030 realistic and supported by international bodies?
The target is achievable in the view of supporters, especially when connected to the Pristine Seas project which seeks remote marine protection and the 30-by-2030 pledge endorsed by many nations at the Montreal biodiversity conference. International backing strengthens the belief, though substantial work lies ahead to translate that commitment into effective protections.
-Fishermen sometimes resist marine protections. How do these measures affect local livelihoods and why might fishing communities benefit?
Restoring local fishing—where possible—remains a central aim. It is essential to designate protected zones that allow continued, sustainable catches while safeguarding breeding populations. Across the globe, there are success stories that show fishing can thrive alongside conservation, attracting more stable long-term yields for communities that adapt and embrace informed management.
“Allocating fishing zones that sustain livelihoods is essential; evidence shows responsible fishing can be profitable.”
At present, only a small fraction of the Mediterranean—about 0.23 percent—enjoys protection from fishing. The analogy mirrors farming: protect the most productive individuals or stocks, and sustainable yields follow. Designated reserve areas provide resilience without demanding excessive infrastructure, aligning with natural productivity.
-For new protected areas, active management is crucial to avoid “paper parks.” Do administrations have the will and resources to expand protections significantly?
The opposite seems true in practice. Establishing protected areas can boost income through sustainable use and tourism rather than raise costs. A notable example is the Papahanaumokuakea reserve in Hawaii, where intensified management correlated with a notable increase in regional tuna catches, illustrating how protected areas can yield substantial economic benefits.
“Mediterranean finances resemble a current account that has run dry after repeated withdrawals.”
Today, the fishing sector faces acute pressure and heavy reliance on subsidies. The challenge is clear: fishing increasingly depends on longer trips and more gear. Past decades showed people heading to sea with simple means, and the Mediterranean now needs smarter, more durable conservation and governance.
-Global warming makes the Mediterranean particularly fragile. Is there still time to avert a total collapse, and what options remain?
The task is daunting but solvable with decisive protection. A healthier Mediterranean withstands thermal stress better. Optimism is warranted, yet urgency is nonnegotiable. Acting now mirrors what younger generations wished had happened years ago. If done right, the sea can be saved; otherwise, the window to act may close.
-Plastic pollution poses another major challenge. How is progress being made, and what improvements are expected?
Plastic pollution remains a grave threat, but quicker solutions are emerging. Safer, biodegradable alternatives will lessen long-term impacts while new materials are developed. In the meantime, reducing usage, prioritizing recycling, and cutting waste are essential habits everyone should adopt.
– What about the growing impact of cruise ships and mass tourism on marine environments?
Setting limits on cruise and tourism activities takes time. A culture of excess has driven growth, yet it is unsustainable. The future requires thoughtful planning and restraint to prevent further harm to the Mediterranean and the wider planet.
Web to sign in favor of the campaign: Reserva30.org
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Contact address of the environmental department: [redacted for privacy]