The Balearic Islands consist of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, located in the middle of the western Mediterranean. This archipelago has a high biodiversity, including the valuable Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows between Ibiza and Formentera that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The Balearic Islands are a known spawning area for bluefin tuna, and the only nesting spot for the Balearic shearwater – one of the most threatened marine birds in the world – and Loggerhead sea turtles are also known to swim in these waters. Overfishing has been the most impactful stressor to the area, but scientists say that the overfishing problem isn't as damaging to this area as others in the Mediterranean, offering hope for a healthier future for the vulnerable species that inhabit it.
