The Fòrum Illa de l’Aire advances community-based and participatory management of the Marine Reserve

37 people take part in the 2nd Participatory Forum to agree on new conservation and awareness-raising measures

On Tuesday, the Sala Albert Camus in Sant Lluís hosted the 2nd Participatory Forum of the Illa de l’Aire Marine Reserve (RMIA), a collaborative working session organised by the Fòrum Illa de l’Aire, the community project of Menorca Preservation, with the collaboration of the Marilles Foundation, the support of the Leader Island of Menorca Association and the Sant Lluís Town Council, and the technical involvement of GOB Menorca and OBSAM-IME.

The event brought together more than 30 people from different sectors — public administrations, environmental organisations, diving centres, tourism and local businesses, researchers and citizens — with the aim of continuing the citizen participation process launched at the beginning of the year and defining priority actions for 2026 in marine conservation, communication and awareness-raising.

During the session, the progress achieved in the Forum’s first year of operation was presented, the main challenges of the RMIA were reviewed — such as improving surveillance, the need for clearer communication about the regulations, and involving the fishing sector — and group work was carried out to identify proposals and concrete commitments for joint action.

Among the most relevant measures proposed were improving communication and understanding of the reserve’s regulations through the creation of a good practice guide and information materials tailored to different audiences; renewing interpretive panels and leaflets with new designs and QR codes linking to content about the natural and cultural values of Illa de l’Aire; promoting educational and awareness-raising activities such as guided visits, thematic workshops and talks; and strengthening collaboration with the administration by requesting a complementary protection designation and the installation of surveillance cameras in the reserve.

It was also agreed to keep the ambassadors’ group and the clean-up group active, both of which will continue working on disseminating the forum’s values, incorporating new voices and organising environmental volunteering activities.

“The Fòrum Illa de l’Aire shows that participatory governance works when built on trust and cooperation. This second meeting confirms that the community wants to get involved, contribute ideas and take an active role in the conservation of the reserve. Our challenge now is to keep weaving alliances and turn proposals into real actions that benefit both the sea and people,” said Aina Blanco-Magadán, project coordinator.

A premiere connecting science and passion for nature: Documentary on the Bird Migration Study in Illa de l’Aire

The event opened with an exclusive screening of the documentary produced by the Societat Ornitològica de Menorca (SOM), which summarises more than three decades of voluntary scientific work by the organisation in monitoring migratory birds on Illa de l’Aire. The video features the long-term bird ringing work carried out by SOM since 1993, an effort that has made it possible to record over 100,000 birds from 124 different species — including 2,200 birds from 56 species in 2025. The voluntary efforts of numerous ornithologists explain these high numbers, whose main value lies in their continuity over time. In the 2025 season alone, SOM involved 24 volunteers and around twenty students from the Master’s in Biology and Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Salamanca. The study has received financial support from Menorca Preservation for the third consecutive year.

The documentary was warmly received by the audience and served to highlight the importance of citizen science and collaboration between organisations in the conservation of the marine and terrestrial environment of Illa de l’Aire.

“Having been able to carry out more than 30 consecutive years of methodical and standardised work is the main strength of this project. Continuing for another 30 years would be essential to assess changes in migration patterns and address their causes based on rigorous data,” stated Raül Escandell, secretary of SOM and coordinator of the bird migration study on Illa de l’Aire.

The meeting concluded with a networking space and a pica-pica of Custòdia Agrària products, where participants continued sharing impressions, building synergies between projects and organisations, and strengthening the relationships established throughout the day.

The working groups created during the forum will remain active over the coming months, with the aim of coordinating actions and preparing the next follow-up session, scheduled for next year.