Marine Protected Areas of the Canary Islands

The term “Marine Protected Area”. (MPA) is used internationally as a generic concept that identifies any marine area with some degree of protection. It covers a wide range of different approaches to marine and coastal zone management. MPAs were not recognized in Spain as a specific form of protection until the entry into force of Law 42/2007, of December 13, 2007, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which defines them as “Natural areas designated for the protection of ecosystems, communities or biological or geological elements of the marine environment, including intertidal and subtidal areas, which, due to their rarity, fragility, importance or uniqueness, deserve special protection”.