“El quefer del cafè” by Maria Estelrich won first prize in this year’s Game Changers competition. Game Changers is a contest organised by Save the Med and Fundación Occidente, where students compete by presenting real-life proposals and solutions aimed at stopping excessive consumption and overproduction of disposable plastics. This year’s winning project offers a system of cups and containers for the campus cafeterias, ensuring that all products available for takeout offer reusable containers with a purchase and return system.

In September, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources of the Government of the Balearic Islands held the inaugural meeting of the expert committee for the Balearic Strategy for Sharks and Rays project. The goal of this initiative is to promote the recovery of sharks and rays in the Balearic Islands, which serve as key indicators of the health of marine ecosystems. Save the Med are working tirelessly to protect these species as sadly the Mediterranean is one of the most perilous seas for sharks and rays. In the Balearic Sea alone, 32 species of sharks, 27 species of rays, and one species of chimaera have been recorded. Sadly, more than half of them are currently facing the threat of extinction.

Recently, Save the Med had the pleasure of hosting an engaging and educational workshop with the children from the Escola del Mar, in collaboration with the Club de Vela del Port d’Andratx. The students participated in a dynamic workshop focusing on the diverse marine species native to the Balearic waters. They learned about the unique flora and fauna that inhabit this special region, as well as the significance of Sa Dragonera as a MPA. The workshop also included an immersive, hands-on experience where the students could directly observe the marine environment. This practical exploration was designed to foster a deeper connection with nature, emphasizing the importance of protecting our oceans and their inhabitants.

On the 2nd July Save the Med Foundation together with The University of the Balearic Islands will be announcing the winners of the Game Changers competition. The winning team will be spending a week with the Save the Med Foundation team, taking part on a scientific expedition out at sea. The winners will be selected for their innovation and their commitment to the environment. Head HERE to see the announcement!

As part of Save the Med Foundation‘s Changemakers project, students have been hard at work developing creative solutions to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution. Their focus has been on combating the overconsumption and overproduction of single-use plastic. After visiting schools across Mallorca to recognise the top teams in the Changemakers Project, Save the Med is pleased to announce the next phase of the program. Students will have the opportunity to join the scientific team on educational marine excursions in the Balearic Sea this Spring!

Save the Med Foundation are proud to present their Annual Report for 2023. Celebrating another amazing year of seeing the foundation grow, projects expand and more community involvement than ever. They have shaken things up a bit with this new presentation which provides a more dynamic version, giving readers a deeper insight into the many facets that come together to create the movement towards the marine regeneration of the Mediterranean Basin. To view their interactive report, click HERE.

Good news for nursehound sharks in Mallorca! More than 200 nursehound sharks (Scyliorhinus stellaris) have been born in captivity since the start of the collaborative pilot project “Small Sharks – Stellaris Action” in Mallorca. 36 of the sharks have already been tagged and released in local marine protected areas and will be joined by the remaining pups and breeders soon. The involved organisations, which include the Save the Med Foundation, hope to replicate this successful project with other threatened shark species in the future.

On the 16th February a meeting in Madrid took place with the Environment Secretary Hugo Morán. Save the Med Foundation joined forces with 116 entities from the #LeydeResiduosYA (WasteLawNOW) a movement which is demanding a full implementation of the Waste Law. Highlighting the critical need to meet the law’s objectives, they urged swift action on key measures: prioritising waste prevention at source, enhancing transparency and reliability through robust monitoring and control of recycling data, and establishing a Deposit Return System for cans, bottles, and Tetra Pak’s.

In an exciting initiative to combat plastic pollution in Mallorca, 295 high school students have already signed up to Save the Med Foundation’s Changemakers Project. These young innovators are coming up with creative ideas to reduce the use of single-use plastics. More sign ups are coming in while the STM team is preparing exciting experiences at sea for the 20 teams that present the most promising project ideas. To discover more click HERE.

Since 2021, the Plastic Free Balearics project, launched by Save the Med and collaborators, has helped over 170 hospitality establishments in the Balearic Islands to reduce their single-use plastic consumption, leading to a collective prevention of approximately 40,000 kilograms of plastic waste. A hundred establishments have achieved the Plastic Free Guardian certification to date, demonstrating their commitment to environmental care. The team are eager to expand their reach this year, helping to educate and influence positive change.