When I think of the Mediterranean, I think of a place of longing. Crystal-clear water glistening under the sun, fishing boats drifting quietly along the coast and that unmistakable feeling of freedom and space that only the sea can give. But behind this picturesque backdrop lies a sad reality: our beloved Mediterranean is suffering. And has been for decades.
Overfishing, Plastic waste and the Consequences of climate change - The list of problems is long, and sometimes I wonder whether we can still change things in time. But then I see the progress that has been made in the Cabrera Marine Park be made. There, just a short boat trip away from Mallorca, the sea has slowly recovered. The fish stocks are growing, the sensitive Seagrass meadows come back - a small glimmer of hope.
Marine protected areas are a big part of the solution. They are like havens for nature, which can regenerate there without the constant pressure of human intervention. It is fascinating what happens when we simply give the sea time and space. Nature is more resilient than we often think.
But to be honest, that alone is not enough. What makes me angry sometimes is the Plastic wastethat pollutes the sea. It's hard to bear when you walk along a beautiful beach and come across plastic bottles or bags. Where is the beauty that we love so much when we trample it underfoot? But projects like "Clean Up the Med" give me hope again. People who love the sea as much as I do are committed to eliminating plastic waste - and not just symbolically, but in very concrete, large-scale clean-up campaigns. It's the small steps that count, I often think to myself.
Also in the Fishing a lot has changed. In the past, it was the huge catches that exploited the Mediterranean; today it is all about sustainable methods to preserve local traditions without destroying the ecosystem. You can see this in the ports of Mallorca, for example, where more and more fishermen are opting for smaller catches and consciously taking a gentle approach. I think it's important that we give local people the tools to preserve their traditions, but with an eye to the future.
And then there is the issue that can no longer be ignored: the Climate change. We can all feel it - the summers on Mallorca are getting hotter and hotter, the sea warmer and warmer. It hits me when I see how what we love so much is slowly disappearing. But I firmly believe that we can do something. There are projects that are reforesting the Mediterranean - Seagrass meadowswhich are known as "forests of the sea", bind CO₂ and provide a habitat for many species of fish.
Yes, the Mediterranean has the potential to recover. But we need to give it the time and protection it needs.
isla Reading tip:
Mallorca's most beautiful beaches: where does all this beauty come from?
Hopeful news for Mallorca's Neptune grass: Posidonia monitoring shows improvements
Why the seawater around Mallorca is becoming increasingly greener
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