WRITTEN QUESTION E-1487/02

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(29 May 2002)

Subject: Preservation of posidonia meadows

Posidonia oceanica, which is accorded priority protection in Annex 1 to Directive 92/43/EEC(1) (Habitats), is in sharp decline along the entire Mediterranean coast. The WWF study of The Mediterranean coastline: diagnosis and conservation, states that the density of clumps has fallen in 78 % of the Spanish coast's posidonia oceanica beds, and this appears to confirm that there is a general shrinkage in almost all the beds.

In the case of the Spanish coasts, where this habitat is particularly well represented, the extent and general state of conservation of the beds have declined in recent decades due to massive human pressure, including in particular:

- fishing (especially trawling), which in the case of the Murcian and Valencian Autonomous Communities, has already damaged over 40 % of the surface of the beds;

- the steady proliferation of marinas and other tourist installations, particularly on the Valencian coast, where saturation point has already been reached due to excessive town planning pressures;

- pollution and discharges, which decrease the vegetable biomass and result in a loss of biological diversity in the beds, over and above changes to the vegetable make-up of the associated plant community;

- etc.

Initial reply of 21 June 2001 to written question E-1253/01(2), the Commission deemed it premature to pass judgement on the adequacy of Spain's proposals on the protection of posidonia beds.

In the light of the fact referred to above, and the EU's recent reaffirmation of its commitment to conserving protected habitats, both by its participation in the Biodiversity Convention meetings in the Hague, and its adoption of the Recommendation on the integrated management of coastal areas:

- What specific measures does the Commission intend to propose to arrest the deterioration and shrinkage of posidonia beds, particularly along the Mediterranean coast?

- Does the Commission believe that the SCIs areas marked out by Spain for the conservation of this important habitat are adequate? What is the Commission's opinion of the listing suggested by the WWF in its report on the Mediterranean coastline with regard to the areas not included as SCIs by the Spanish Government? Does the Commission intend to approach the Spanish authorities to plead the case for including these areas?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(2) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 205.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2002)

The Posidonia beds (Posidonion oceanicae) to which the Honourable Member refers are a natural habitat in danger of disappearance, and the Community has special responsibility for their conservation.

The Commission believes that measures taken by the Member States to protect this habitat might not be sufficient, in view of its state of conservation and the number of serious threats endangering it.

The Commission will therefore pay particular attention to ensuring that a sufficient number of sites hosting this habitat are included in the Natura 2000 network.

Moreover, the Commission believes that protection measures should be introduced now, before final adoption of the list of Special Areas of Conservation. More particularly, given the pressures on this habitat, the Commission attaches great importance to the implementation of the provisions of Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Unfortunately, the Commission is not in a position to comment on the adequacy of Spain's proposals or the existence of other possible sites, as the Member States are still transmitting information on sites to be considered for protection in the Mediterranean, and the biogeographical seminar at which they were due to be discussed has been postponed.

The Commission has always believed that the success of nature conservation policies depends largely on the participation of all sectors of society concerned. The report mentioned by the Honourable Member, which the Commission has already received, shows once again that independent contributors have an important role to play in identifying problems and helping to target nature protection initiatives.