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SEAMOUNTS OF THE 

BALEARIC ISLANDS | 2010 

Proposal for a Marine Protected Area in the 

Mallorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

SEAMOUNTS OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS | 2010 


Mallorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

CONTENTS 

Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus). Balearic Islands. © OCEANA/ Juan Cuetos

INTRODUCTION 5 

SEAMOUNTS OF THE BALEARIC PROMONTORY 9 

> The seamounts of the Mallorca Channel 

> Oceanographic characteristics 

> Ecological characteristics 

> Oceana samplings 

- Other species of interest in the area 

- Habitats and communities in the Mallorca Channel 

> Economic activities and threats 

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING SEAMOUNTS 39 

CONCLUSION AND PROPOSAL FOR A NATIONAL MARINE PARK OF 

THE SEAMOUNTS OF THE MALLORCA CHANNEL 47 

REFERENCES 53

Oceana Ranger crewmembers lowering the ROV into the Mallorca Channel. 

© OCEANA/ Iñaki Relanzón

INTRODUCTION 

5

6 


Seamounts, usually of volcanic origin, are underwater elevations that are either 

isolated or join together to form archipelagos. These structures rise above the 

surrounding seabeds and constitute unique habitats in seas and oceans around 

the world. These submarine structures have different names depending on their 

height, where seamounts rise over 1,000 meters from the seabed; mounts rise 

between 500 and 1,000 meters and banks rise to a maximum of 500 meters. The 

popular names given to these structures do not always follow the same criteria, 

and the denominations given to them take into account not only their height but 

also their typology, including elevations, mounts, banks, hills, mounds, mountains, 

volcanoes or ridges. 

Seamounts harbour high levels of biodiversity and constitute a refuge for marine 

life because their isolated location in deep waters causes a change in ocean currents 

that leads to upwellings of nutrients. Thanks to increased productivity in adjoining 

waters, these elevations are veritable marine biodiversity “hotspots”. They 

attract large schools of fish and groups of sharks, cetaceans, and marine turtles 

and birds, present high levels of endemism 1 and harbour species of commercial 

interest. As such, these areas are both ecologically and economically valuable. 

Estimates point to the existence of at least 100,000 seamounts worldwide 2 , although 

this figure could increase significantly if smaller elevations were taken into 

account. A variety of international research projects focus on these elevations, 

given their importance for biodiversity and economy on a global scale, making 

their protection an urgent matter. 

Over 150 seamounts have been identified in the Mediterranean, with representation 

of all the classifications mentioned above according to type and height. Of 

these, at least 59 rise over 1,000 meters above the surrounding seabed 3 and as 

such, are considered true seamounts. One of the most prominent elevations is the 

Eratosthenes seamount, located SW of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean. At 

roughly 2,000 meters high, this seamount starts at a depth of 2,700 m. and its peak 

is located at -690 m. deep 4 . 

The highest concentration of these types of elevations occurs in the Alboran and 

Tyrrhenian Seas, as well as in the Central Mediterranean. 

Map 1. The most important seamounts in the Mediterranean Sea.►


Mallorca Channel (Western Mediterranean) 

7

Launching the ROV over Emile Baudot from the Marviva Med oceanographic research vessel 

during Oceana’s Mediterranean expedition in 2008. © OCEANA/ Carlos Minguell

SEAMOUNTS OF THE 

BALEARIC PROMONTORY 

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10 

In the Western Mediterranean, the highest concentration of seamounts occurs 

in the Alboran Sea and adjoining areas, as is the case of Seco de los 

Olivos seamount off Almeria or the seamounts and volcanic cones off Alboran. 

The LIFE+INDEMARES project focuses on these mounts and from 2009 to 2013 

the project will study 10 Spanish marine areas for their inclusion in the Natura 2000 

network, along with other areas of special ecological interest. 

Currently, there are 10 named seamounts in the Balearic promontory or adjoining 

areas: Four are in the Mallorca Channel (Emile Baudot, Ausias March, Ses Olives 

and Guyot Bel), one is in the Ibiza Channel (Xabia), one is south of Formentera 

(Prunnes), one is north of Mallorca (Cresques), one is north of Ibiza (Morrot de 

Sa Dragonera) and two are south of the Menorca canyon (Jaume 1 and Colom), 

although other seamounts are pending designation. 

THE SEAMOUNTS OF THE MALLORCA CHANNEL 

The seamounts in the Mallorca Channel are especially unique: Emile Baudot, 

Ausias March and Ses Olives are located in the heart of the Mallorca Channel, 

between the islands of Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca. Furthermore, 

up to 118 pinnacles were identified near Emile Baudot, forming a veritable 

volcanic field 5 . 

Figure 1. Location of the seamounts in the Mallorca Channel.

The peaks of two of these mounts, Emile Baudot and Ausias March, are located at 

a depth which allows the development of red algae. 

Shamefaced crab (Calappa granulata). © OCEANA 

Emile Baudot 

Cerianthid (Cerianthus membranaceus). 

© OCEANA 

This is the southernmost of the three seamounts. It is located roughly 40 nautical 

miles SW of the Cabrera archipelago at 38°42’N and 002°20’E. Of volcanic origin, 

this seamount is found W of the Cabrera canyon, atop the crest of the Emile 

Baudot escarpment, from which the seabed falls almost vertically to over 

2,000 meters deep. Both the seamount and the escarpment have been the subject 

of various geological studies 6 . 

Ausias March 

Continental in origin, it is located roughly 10nm ENE of Formentera at 38º 44’N and 

001º 48’E. It extends between 90 and 120 meters deep and from there, it falls softly 

down to 400 meters, and continues falling more slowly after that. 

Ses Olives 

Tunicate (Salpa maxima). © OCEANA 

Located 20 nautical miles E of Ibiza, at 38º.57’N and 002º.00’E, it is the smallest of 

the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel, although it is located in the deepest waters. 

Like Ausias March, it is continental in origin. 



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12 

Emile 

Baudot 

Ausias 

March 

Table 1. General characteristics of the seamounts in the Mallorca Channel 

Coordinates 

Distance 

from coast 

038°42’N 002°30’E 30 mn, SW 

Cabrera. 

038º 44’N 001º 48’E 9 mn ENE 

Formentera. 

Ses Olives 038º 57’N 002º 00’E 18 mn, E 

Ibiza 

Average depth 

at base 

Approximate 

height 

Approximate peak/ 

base surface are 

700-1,000 m. >800 m. 20/140 km² 

[500 km² including 

volcanic field] 

400-500 m. 300 m. 50/100 km² 

600-900 m. 500-600 m. 15/55 km² 

OCEANOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 

The waters of the Balearic Islands are located in a transition area between the 

Western Mediterranean’s two main sub-basins 7 : the Algerian basin and the 

Ligurian-Provencal basin. The colder and more saline Surface Mediterranean 

Waters (SMW) from the Gulf of Lyons and the warmer less saline Modified 

Atlantic Waters (MAW) from the south, enter and mix through the channels between 

islands, making this a hydrographically complex area with strong currents 

and fronts, as well as eddies 8 and variations in salinity between 36.7 and 38 psu 

(practical salinity units) 9 . These oceanographic conditions are especially strong 

during the summer, when there is significant stratification, with surface temperatures 

that can reach 22-27ºC in August, compared to the 13-14ºC in winter 10 , while 

summer temperatures at 100 meters depth are usually around 13.0-13.9ºC 11 . 

Due to these conditioning factors, the Balearic Sea and promontory have special 

characteristics and the area can be considered isolated from the rest of the western 

Mediterranean 12 . However, its oceanographic conditions depend largely on the 

processes that occur in the rest of Europe and are strongly tied to meteorological 

changes and how these influence the water’s conditioning factors, such as temperature, 

salinity or nutrients 13 . In fact, processes of cold, deep water formations 14 

may occur and temporarily alter the usual patterns of exchange between water 

masses. 

Furthermore, population dynamics of some commercial species, like hake 

(Merluccius merluccius) and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), fluctuations in recruitment 

success, and fishery accessibility have been associated with macro and 

meso-scale climate regimes that depend on North Atlantic and Mediterranean 

Oscillation, associated with increased or decreased inflow of colder Western 

Mediterranean intermediate waters or warmer Levantine intermediate waters 15 . 

Although the abundance of plankton in this area is low, it is nevertheless comparable 

to other Mediterranean oligotrophic areas, with an average of 953-1.842 indiv/m 3 

of zooplankton and 5.4 mg dry weight/m 3 , with some peaks in productivity during 

the inflow of cold, nutrient-rich waters, that are usually over 1,200 indiv/m 3 , but 

sometimes reach over 5,000-6,000 indiv/m 3 . Copedods are especially prevalent 

(Clausocalanus furcatus, C. pergens, C. arcuicornis, C. paululus, Paracalanus 

parvus, Centropages typicus, Acartia clausi, A. danae, Oncaea mediterranea, 

Temora stylifera, Oithona plumifera, O. nana, Ctenocalanus vanus, Diaixis 

hibernica, Neocalanus gracilis, Microsetella sp., Farranula rostrata,

Ischnocalanus tenuis, Nannocalanus minor, Conchoecia sp., Calanus 

helgolandicus, Calocalanus styliremis, Mecynocera clausi, etc.), and may 

represent 54%-64% of the biomass, followed by cladocerans (Evadne 

spinifera, E. nordmanni, E. tergestina, Penilia avirostris, Podon intermedius, 

etc.), appendicularians (Fritillaria sp., F. Pellucida, Oikopleura sp.), doliolids 

(Doliolum nationalis), ostracods (Conchoecia sp.), pteropods (Creseis acicula), 

salps (Thalia democratica, Salpa maxima, S. fusiformis, Isias zonaria, Pegea 

confederata, Ihlea punctata, etc.), chaetognaths (Sagitta sp.), siphonophores 

(genera Mugiaea, Lensia, Eudoxia y Abylopsis) and other mesoplankton 16 . 

As far as phytoplankton is concerned, chlorophyll is usually less than 3 mg l -1 , with 

particular presence of dinoflagellates, as well as coccolithophores and diatoms 

(Pseudonitzschia spp., Chaetoceros spp. and Guinardia striata) 17 . 

Despite this oligotrophic environment, various scientific works 18 have shed light 

on the importance of the Balearic Islands as reproductive areas for both resident 

and migratory species, as well as its unique aspects compared to other spawning 

areas in the Mediterranean. These waters are extremely important for species 

of high commercial value like bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), albacore (Thunnus 

alalunga), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), swordfish 

(Xiphias gladius) and marlin (Tetrapturus sp.). 

Spotted ray (Raja montagui). 

© OCEANA 

Yellow tree coral (Dendrophyllia cornigera). 

© OCEANA 

The oceanographic conditions in the Mallorca Channel lead to variations in the 

distribution patterns of fish larvae throughout the year as well as in the habits 

of the species, where mesopelagic and neritic species show the most significant 

variations. Thus, at the beginning of summer, larval distribution mainly depends on 

depth and the distribution of the two main bodies of water found in this channel; 

while at the end of summer, distribution depends more on the salinity gradient 19 . 

The Mallorca Channel and areas surrounding the Balearic Islands are especially 

important spawning areas for bluefin tuna, where optimum oceanographic conditions 

occur thanks to the warm waters and formation of oceanic fronts and gyres 20 . 

It is also an important spawning area for other species of commercial interest 21 , 

and petitions have been made to create a sanctuary or marine reserve to conserve 

the spawning areas of these overexploited species. 



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In addition, the area is also well known for its crustacean fisheries. At least five of 

the Balearic fleet’s main fishing grounds for red shrimp are located in the Mallorca 

Channel 22 : Cabrera, la Badia, es Gambussí, Formentera and Ibiza nord. 

ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

A wide variety of studies have been completed concerning the formation and 

current geological structure of the oceans. Seamounts have been the subject of 

many oceanographic campaigns starting a few decades ago, although only 350 of 

the thousands of existing seamounts have been sampled and only 100 of these in 

detail 23 . As such, detailed knowledge about the habitats and species present on 

these structures, and their distribution, is still lacking. 

As far as the Mediterranean is concerned, the lack of information is even more serious, 

although some projects have been implemented to conserve Mediterranean 

seamounts. This is the case, for example, of Eratosthenes, south of Cyprus, which 

the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) established as 

a fisheries restricted area to conserve deep sea sensitive habitats 24 . 

Biological samplings 25 from Eratosthenes, although few, have reported roughly 

40 different taxa, many of which are pending identification, including foraminiferans, 

sponges (Hamacantha implicans, Rhizaxinella sp.), cnidarians (cf. Nausithoe sp., 

Kadophellia bathyalis, Caryophylliacalveri, Desmophyllum cristagalli, etc.), molluscs 

(Argonauta argo, Acar scabra, Bathyarca philippiana, Cardiomya cf. costellata, 

Kelliella abyssicola, Mycroyoldia micrometrica, Notolinea crassa, Propeamussium 

fenestratum), polychaetes (Jasmineira caudata, Filogranula stellata, Hyalopomatus 

variorugosus, Metavermilia multicristata, Protis sp., Semicermilia agglutiata, etc.), 

sipunculans (Apionsoma murinae), crustaceans (Odontaster mediterraneus) and 

fish (Hoplotethus mediterraneus). This sheds new light on the distribution of some 

species in the Eastern Mediterranean basin and reinforces the uniqueness and 

richness of these areas. 

Scientific work regarding the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel has mainly focused 

on geology, including sedimentology, mineralogy, petrography, morphogenesis, 

volcanology etc 26 . However, apart from the samplings carried out by Oceana 27 , 

the biology of these structures has never been studied. 

Despite the lack of other biological studies concerning the seabeds of the three 

seamounts of the Mallorca Channel, the work carried out concerning the channel’s 

slope by means of scientific trawling 28 , as well as larval samplings 29 or biological 

samplings of certain species 30 between Mallorca and the Pitiusas, offers a sample 

of some of the species of macrofauna present in the area. Other more general 

studies 31 concerning species in the Balearic waters do not distinguish between 

areas, so they have not been included in the following tables.

Fish 

Table 2. Species identified in the area of the Mallorca Channel during scientific 

expeditions prior to the work completed by Oceana 

Alepocephalus rostratus Anacanthini s.d. Anthias anthias 

Antonogadus megalokyinodon Apogon imberbis Argentina sp. 

Argentina sphyraena Argyropelecus hemigymnus Arnoglossus ghromanni 

Arnoglossus imperialis Arnoglossus laterna Arnoglossus rueppelli 

Arnoglossus sp. Arnoglossus thori Aspitrigla cuculus 

Auxis rochei Bathophyllus nigerrimus Bathypterois mediterraneus 

Benthosema glaciale Blennidae s.d. Blennius gattorougine 

Blennius ocellaris Blennius spp. Boops boops 

Bothus podas Brama raji Callionymiidae s.d. 

Callionymus maculatus Capros aper Cataetyx alleni 

Cataetyx laticeps Centrolophus niger Centrophorus uyato 

Centroscymnus coelolepis Cepola rubescens Ceratoscopelus maderensis 

Chalinura mediterranea Chauliodus sloani Cheilopogon heterurus 

Chelidomychthys lastoviza Chlorophthalmus agassizii Chromis chromis 

Citharus linguatula Coelorinchus caelorhincus Coelorinchus labiatus 

Conger conger Conger sp. Coris julis 



Coryphaena hippurus Coryphaenoides guentheri Coryphaenoides mediterraneus 

Cyclothone braueri Cyclothone pygmaea Cyclothone sp. 

Dactylopterus volitans Dalatias licha Diaphus holti 

Diplodus sp. Dysomma brevjrostre Engraulis encrasicholus 

Epigonus denticulatus Epigonus telescopus Epinephelus sp. 

Etmopterus spinax Euthynnus alleteratus Evermannella balbo 

Gadiculus argenteus Galeus melastomus Giplodys vulgaris 

Glossanodon leioglossus Gobiidae s.d. Gobius sp. 

Helicolenus dactylopterus Hoplostethus mediterraneus Hygophum spp. 

Hymenocephalus italicus Katsuwonus pelamis Laemonema sp. 

Lampanyctus alatus Lampanyctus crocodilus Lampanyctus pusillus 

Lebetus guilletti Lepidion guentheri Lepidion lepidion 

Lepidopus caudatus Lepidopus sp. Lepidorhombus boscii 

Lepidorhombus sp. Lepidorhombus wiffiagonis Lepidotrigla cavillone 

Lestidiops jayakari Lestidiops sp. Lesueurigobius friesii 

Lipophris pholis Lobianchia dofleiini Lophius budegassa 

Lophius piscatorius Macroramphosus scolopax Maurolicus muelleri 

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16 



Merluccius merluccius Micromesistius poutassou Microstoma sp. 

Molva dipterygia Mora moro Mugil sp. 

Mullus barbatus Mullus surmuletus Myctophum punctatum 

Naucrates doctor Nemichthys scolopaceus Nettastoma melanurum 

Nezumia aequalis Notacanthus bonapartei Notolepis rissoi 

Notoscopelus elongatus Oblada melanura Ophidion sp. 

Pagellus acarne Pagellus erythrinus Pagrus pagrus 

Parablennius tentacularis Paralepididae s.d. Paraliparis leptochirus 

Paraophidion vassali Peristedion cataphractum Phycis blennoides 

Polyacanthonotus rissoanus Pomatoschistus minutus Raja asterias 

Raja clavata Raja naevus Raja polystigma 

Regalecus glesne Sarda sarda Sardinella aurita 

Scomberesox saurus Scorpaena elongata Scorpaena notata 

Scorpaena porcus Scorpaena scrofa Scorpaena sp. 

Scyliorhinus canicula Seriola dumerilii Serranus cabrilla 

Serranus hepatus Solea sp. Sparidae s.d. 

Spicara smaris Squalus blainvillei Sternptychidae s.d. 

Stomias boa Symbolophorus veranyi Symphodus sp. 

Symphurus ligulatus Symphurus nigrescens Synchiropus phaeton 

Syngnathus sp. Thunnus alalunga Thunnus thynnus 

Trachinus draco Trachinus radiatus Trachinus vipera 

Trachurus mediterraneus Trachurus picturatus Trachurus trachurus 

Trachyrhynchus scabrus Trachyrhynchus trachyrhynchus Trigla lyra 

Trisopterus minutus Uranoscopus scaber Vinciguerria attenuatta 

Xiphias gladius Xyrichthis novacula Zeus faber 

Zu cristatus 

Crustaceans 

Acanthephyra eximia Acanthephyra pelagica Alpheus glaber 

Aristaeomorpha foliacea Aristeus antennatus Bathynectes maravigna 

Boreomysis arctica Calocaris macandreae Chlorotocus crassicornis 

Dardanus arrosor Dorhynchus thomsoni Euphausia krohni 

Funchalia woodwardii Gennadas elegans Geryon longipes 

Goneplax rhomboides Hymenopenaeus debilis Ligur ensiferus 

Macropipus tuberculatus Macropodia longipes Meganyctiphanes norvegica



Monodaeus couchi Monopodia longipes Munida intermedia 

Munida iris Munida tenuimana Munnopsurus atlanticus 

Nematocarcinus exilis Nephrops norvegicus Pandalina profunda 

Paramola cuvieri Parapenaeus longirostris Pasiphaea multidentata 

Pasiphaea sivado Philocheras echinulatus Plesionika acanthonotus 

Plesionika antigai Plesionika edwardsi Plesionika gigliolii 

Plesionika heterocarpus Plesionika martia Plesionika narval 

Polycheles typhlops Pontocaris lacazei Pontophilus norvegicus 

Procampylaspis armata Processa canaliculata Processa nouveli 

Rhachotropis caeca Richardina fredericii Sergestes arcticus 

Sergestes henseni Sergia robusta Solenocera membranacea 

Stereomastis sculpta 

Molluscs 

Abralia veranyi Abraliopsis pfeffer Alloteuthis media 

Ancistroteuthis lichtensteinii Bathypolypus sponsalis Brachioteuthis riisei 

Chiroteuthis veranyi Chtenopteryx sicula Eledone cirrhosa 

Eledone moschata Heteroteuthis dispar Histioteuthis bonnellii 

Histioteuthis reversa Illex coindetii Loligo forbesi 

Loligo vulgaris Neorossia caroli Octopus salutii 

Octopus vulgaris Onychotethis banksii Opisthoteuthis agassizii 

Pteroctopus tetracirrhus Rossia macrosoma Scaeurgus unicirrhus 

Sepia elegans Sepia officinalis Sepia orbignyana 

Sepietta oweniana Todarodes sagittatus Todaropsis eblanae 

Echinoderms 

Astropecten aranciacus Luidia ciliaris Echinaster sepositus 

Stichopus regalis Sphaerechinus granularis Spatangus purpureus 

Ascidians 

Botryllus schlosseri Diazona violacea Phallusia mamillata 

Ascidia mentula Molgula appendiculata Microcosmus vulgaris 

Algae 

Codium bursa Laminaria rodriguezi Phyllopora nervosa 

Peyssonnelia spp. Corallinace s.d. Osmundaria volubilis 

Mesophyllum sp. Lithophyllum sp. Lithothamnion sp. 



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Some species that have been identified in the Mallorca Channel, such as the 

green algae Codium bursa, are only found at depths of 40-50 meters and as such, 

do not reach as far down as the seamounts, which have a minimum depth of 

80 meters. Some samplings have identified this type of algae at greater depths, although 

this is probably due to dragging from shallower areas. This is not the case 

of many species of coralline algae, however. Apart from being identified during 

Oceana samplings (see below), these algae are known for the important communities 

they form on the deep seabeds of the Balearic Islands 32 . 

In addition to the species listed above, it is also worth highlighting the presence of 

gorgonian mud facies (Isidella elongata) given its importance as a “sensitive habitat” 

that is home to large communities of fish and invertebrates, including commercially 

valuable species such as red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), white shrimp 

(Parapenaeus longirostris), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), the whiting 

(Micromesistius poutassou) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) 33 . 

Other sensitive habitats are located in other areas of the Balearic promontory 34 , 

like facies of deep-sea crinoids (Leptometra phalangium). 

Scientific research points to the increased oligotrophy of the southern area of the 

Balearic Islands compared to the northern area, as well as decreased biomass 35 

and increased dependence of the planktonic biomass on trophic chains compared 

to the benthic biomass 36 . This may however, lead to the development of more specific 

and sensitive communities and species, as proven by the presence of carnivorous 

sponges on Ausias March, a species that is protected by the Barcelona 

Convention 37 . 

Given the variety of habitats present on these seamounts, it should be stressed 

that many other species are likely to be identified in future research. In addition, 

due to the depth of the Emile Baudot escarpment, where the seamount is located, 

some deep-sea species can also be found here, including the Portuguese dogfish 

(Centroscymnus coelolepis). Until now, this species has only been found in the 

southern part of the Balearic Islands because it is restricted to depths of over 

1,400 meters 38 . 

Furthermore, the Mallorca Channel is one of the areas with the highest density of 

sea turtles, with strong interaction between loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) 

and fishing gear, especially surface longlines 39 . This is also an important distribution 

area of bottlenose dolphin populations in the Balearic Islands (Tursiops 

truncatus), which also strongly interact with some of the islands’ fisheries 40 . In 

addition, it is the most important distribution area of the Balearic shearwater 

(Puffinus mauretanicus) in the islands 41 . A more detailed study of the area’s avifauna 

would allow the verification of the presence and abundance of these and 

other species on seamounts. 

OCEANA SAMPLINGS 

Oceana identified approximately 200 taxa over the course of more than 20 hours 

of seamount sampling in the Mallorca Channel with an ROV (Remote Operated 

Vehicle). Of these, 26 are included in national and European legislation, international 

conventions, red lists or protection proposals formulated by experts. 

Map 2. Points sampled using the ROV on board the Oceana Ranger.►



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20 

Green algae 

Table 3. Species identified by Oceana on Emile Baudot, Ausias March and 

Ses Olives. Protected species are indicated in green 42 . 

Palmophyllum crassum 

Brown algae 

Halopteris filicina 

Red algae 

Corallinacea s.d. Kallymenia sp. Lithophyllum cabiochae 

Lithophyllum sp. Mesophyllum alternans (9) Mesophyllum sp. 

Neogoniolithon mamillosum (9) Peyssonellia sp. Rodophycea s.d. 

Poriferans 

Aplysia cavernicola (3,4) Aplysilla spinifera Aplysina aerophoba 

Asbestopluma hypogea (3,4) Asconema sp. Axinella infundibuliformis 

Axinella polypoides (4) Axinella sp. Cacospongia sp. 

Chondrosia reniformis Clathrina clathrus Demospongiae s.d. 

Geodia sp. Halichondria sp. Haliclona oculata 

Haliclona sp. Hexactinellidae s.d. Hymedesmia paupertas 

Petrosia ficiformis Phakellia sp. Spongia agaricina (3,4) 

Spirastrella sp. Spongosorites sp. Suberites carnososus 

Suberites sp. Tedania sp. Terpios gelatinosa 

Foraminiferans 

Miniacina miniacea 

Brachipods 

Brachiopda s.d. Gryphus vitreus Terebratulina rettusa 

Annelids 

Filograna implexa Hyalinoecia tubicola Lanice conchilega 

Megalomma vesiculosum Polichaetes s.d. Protula sp. 

Sabella pavonina Sabellidae s.d. Serpula vermicularis 

Echiuroids 

Bonellia viridis 

Cnidarians 

Acanthogorgia sp. Adamsia carciniopados (9) Alcyonium palmatum 

Amphianthus dohrni Antenella sp. Arachnanthus sp. 

Bebryce mollis Callogorgia verticillata Caryophyllia cyathus (6) 

Cerianthus membranaceus Cerianthus sp. Cervera atlantica 

Clavularia sp. Cornularia cornucopiae Dendrophyllia cornigera



Edwardsia sp. Epizoanthus arenaceus Eunicella verrucosa (7,9) 

Funiculina quadrangularis Hexacorallaria s.d. Hidrozoa s.d. 

Leiopathes glaberrima (4,6,7) Muriceides lepida Octocorallaria s.d. 

Paralcyonium spinulosum Paramuricea clavata (9) Paramuricea macrospina (9) 

Paramuricea sp. Parerythropodium coralloides Pelagia noctiluca 

Savalia savaglia (3,4) Sertularella cf. gayi Sertularella sp. 

Solmissus albescens Swiftia pallida (9) Viminella flagellum 

Ctenophores 

Ctenophora s.d. Leucothea multicornis 

Bryozoans 

Briozoa sd. Caberea ellissi Caberea sp. 

Hornera reticulata Myriapora truncata Reteporella grimaldii 

Smittina cervicornis 

Echinoderms 

Antedon mediterranea Antedon sp. Chaetaster longipes 

Cidaris cidaris Echinacea s.d. Echinaster sepositus 

Echinus melo Hacelia attenuata Holothuria polii 

Holothuria cf. sanctori Holothuria forskali Holothuria tubulosa 

Leptometra phalangium Ophiothrix fragilis Ophiothrix quinquemaculata 

Ophiuroidea s.d. Parastichopus cf. tremulus Parastichopus regalis 

Spatangus purpureus 

Molluscs 

Charonia lampas (2,3,4) Eledone cirrhosa Erosaria spurca (3,4) 

Fasciolaria lignaria Gastropoda s.d. Pteropoda s.d. 

Ranella olearia (3,4) Sepia sp. Sepiola atlantica 

Solenogastridae s.d. 

Arthropods 

Calappa granulata Dardanus arrosor Dardanus sp. 

Derilambrus angulifrons Dromia personata Galathea sp. 

Galathea strigosa Inachus sp. Liocarcinus depurator 

Munida sarsi Munida rugosa Munida sp. 

Mysidacea s.d. Pagurus prideauxi Palinurus elephas (3,4) 

Paramola cuvieri Periclemenes sp. Plesionika cf. antigai 

Plesionika narval 



21


22 

Tunicates 



Ascidia mentula Diazona violacea Halocynthia papillosa 

Pyrosoma atlanticus Rhopalaea neapolitana Salpa maxima 

Tunicata s.d. 

Chordates 

Acantholabrus palloni Anthias anthias Arnoglossus cf. rueppelli 

Arnoglossus imperialis Aspitrigla cuculus Aspitrigla sp. 

Aulopus filamentosus Blennius ocellaris Callanthias ruber 

Callyoniums lyra Capros aper Caretta caretta (1,2,4,5) 

Chelidonichthys lastoviza Coelorinchus caelorhincus Coris julis 

Epigonus cf. constanciae Epinephelus caninus (7,8) Gadiculus argenteus 

Gobius gasteveni Helicolenus dactylopterus Lapanella fasciata 

Lepadogaster sp. Lepidorhombus boscii Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis 

Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei Lepidotrigla sp. 

Lophius piscatorius Macroramphosus scolopax Merluccius merluccius 

Mullus barbatus Muraena helena Peristedion cataphractum 

Phycis blennoides Phycis phycis Polyprion americanus (7) 

Pontinus kuhli Raja montagui (7) Scomber scombrus (8) 

Scorpaena notata Scorpaena scrofa (8) Scorpaena sp. 

Scorpaena porcus Scyliorhinus canicula Serranus cabrilla 

Synchiropus phaeton Trachinus draco Trachurus trachurus 

Trigla lucerna (8) Trigla lyra Triglidae s.d. 

Tursiops truncatus (1,2,3,4,5) 

(1) Habitats Directive./ (2) Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species./ (3) Berne Convention./ (4) Barcelona Convention./ 

(5) Bonn Convention./ (6) CITES./ (7) IUCN Red List./ (8) Red List of the Government of the Balearic Island./ (9) Proposed by experts.

Apart from the seamount samplings done by Oceana in the Balearic Islands, close 

to 30 transects were completed including over 60 hours of observation by means of 

the ROV, at depths between 60 and 250 meters in the Mallorca Channel to collect 

new information about the area’s biodiversity. 



Table 4. List of species observed by Oceana in other areas of the Mallorca Channel 

(excluding the ones found in the infralittoral and upper circalittoral zones) 43 . 

Green algae 

Caulerpa racemosa Codium bursa Flabellia petiolata 

Palmophyllum crassum Valonia macrophysa Valonia sp. 

Valonia utricularis 

Red algae 

Chondracanthus acicularis Chrysimenia sp. Corallinacea s.d. 

Fauchea repens Gelidium pusillum Gracialaria dura 

Gracilaria sp. Halymenia floresia Halymenia sp. 

Hypnea sp. Kallymenia sp. Lithophyllum cabiochae 

Lithophyllum sp. Lithophyllum stictaeformis Lithothamnion cf valens 

Lomentaria sp. Lophocladia lallemandi Mesophyllum sp. 

Mesophylum alternans Neogoniolithon mamillosum Neurocaulon sp. 

Osmundaria volubilis Palmaria palmata Peyssonnelia rubra 

Peyssonnelia sp. Peyssonnelia squamaria Phyllopora crispa 

Phymatolithon calcareum Rhodymenia pseudopalmata Schottera nicaeensis 

Schottera sp. 

Brown algae 

Arthrocladia villosa Cutleria multifida Dictyopteris membranacea 

Dictyota dichotoma Halopteris filicina Laminaria rodriguezii 

Nereis filiformis Phyllariopsis purpurascens Sporochnus pedunculatus 

Annelids 

Bispira vlutacornis Filograna implexa Hyalinoecia tubicola 

Lanice conchilega Megalomma vessiculosum Myxicola aesthetica 

Myxicola infundibulum Polichaeta s.d. Protula intestinum 

Protula sp. Sabella pavonina Sabella spalanzani 

Sabellidae s.d. Serpula sp. Serpula vermicularis 

Terebellidae s.d. 

Poriferans 

Agelas oroides Aplysina aerophoba Axinella damicornis 

Axinella polypoides Axinella sp. Axinella verrucosa 

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24 



Axinellidae s.d. Chondrosia reniformis Ciocalypta penicillus 

Clathrina sp. Cliona celata Crella elegans 

Crellla sp. Demospongiae s.d. Dysidea avara 

Dysidea fragilis Geodia sp. Guancha lacunosa 

Haliclona fulva Haliclona mediterranea Haliclona simulans 

Haliclona sp. Hemymicale columella Hexadella racovitzai 

Hymedesmia paupertas Ircinia variabilis Pachastrella monolifera 

Petrosia ficiformis Phorbas tanacior Polymastia mamillaris 

Raspailia sp. Spongia agaricina Suberites domuncula 

Suberites sp. Tethya aurantium Tethya sp. 

Cnidarians 

Adamsia carciniopados Aglaophenia sp. Alcyonium palmatum 

Amphianthus dohrni Andresia parthenopea Antipathella subpinnata 

Arachnanthus nocturnus Arnoglossus imperialis Arnoglossus kessleri 

Arnoglossus sp. Bebryce mollis Bouganvillia sp. 

Calliactis parasitica Caryophyllia cyathus Caryophyllia sp. 

Cereus pedunculatus Cerianthus membranaceus Cerianthus sp. 

Corallium rubrum Dendrophyllia cornigera Epizoanthus arenaceus 

Epizoanthus sp. Eudendrium racemosum Eudendrium sp. 

Eunicella cavolini Eunicella sp. Eunicella verrucosa 

Eutrigla gunarndus Eutrigla sp. Funiculina quadrangularis 

Halecium sp. Hidrozoa s.d. Hoplangia durotrix 

Hormathia digitata Leptosammia pruvoti Mesacmaea mitchelli 

Nemertesia ramosa Nemertesia sp. Pachycerianthus sp. 

Paralcyonium spinulosum Paramuricea clavata Paramuricea macrospina 

Parazoanthus anguicomus Parazoanthus axinellae Parazoanthus sp. 

Pelagia noctiluca Pennatula phosphorea Pennatula rubra 

Pennatula sp. Phymanthus pulcher Pteroides griseum 

Sagartia elegans Scleractinia s.d. Sertularella sp. 

Serturalella ellissii Serturalella gayi Serturalella rugosa 

Swiftia pallida Veretillun cynomorium Villogorgia brebicoides 

Molluscs 

Alloteuthis sp. Anamenia gorgonophila Aporrhais pes-pelecani 

Aplysia depilans Bivalvia s.d. Bulma rugosa





Calliostoma sp. Cerithium lividunum Charonia lampas 

Cardiidae s.d. Discodoris atromaculata Facellina sp. 

Gastropoda s.d. Gastropteron rubrum Hypselodoris fontandraui 

Loligo sp. Octopus vulgaris Pectinida s.d. 

Phallum granulatum Pleurobranchaea meckelii Pteria hirundo 

Sepia officinalis Sepia sp. Serpulorbis arenarius 

Tethys fimbria Turritella sp. Veneridae s.d. 

Arthropods 

Anomura s.d. Balanomorpha s.d. Brachyura s.d. 

Calappa granulata Caprelidae s.d. Conchoderma virgatum 

Dardanus sp. Galathea sp. Inachus sp. 

Lepadomorpha s.d. Lissa chiragra Lysmata seticauda 

Macropodia sp. Munida rugosa Mysidacea s.d. 

Natantia s.d. Pagurus prideauxi Pagurus sp. 

Palinurus elephas Periclemenes sp. Portunus hastatus 

Echinoderms 

Antedon mediterranea Astropecten aranciacus Astropecten bispinosus 

Astropecten irregularis Brissus unicolor Centrostephanus longispinus 

Chaetaster longipes Cidaris cidaris Echinaster sepositus 

Echinus acutus Echinus melo Hacelia attenuata 

Holothuria forskali Holothuria sanctori Holothuria sp. 

Holothuria tubulosa Leptometra phalangium Luidia ciliaris 

Luidia sarsi Marthasterias glacialis Ophiocomina nigra 

Ophioderma longicauda Ophiopholis aculeata Ophiopsila aranea 

Ophiopsila sp. Ophiothrix fragilis Ophiothrix quinquemaculata 

Ophiura albida Ophiura sp. Ophiura texturata 

Peltaster placenta Spatangus purpureus Sphaerechinus granularis 

Parastichopus regalis Stylocidaris affinis 

Tunicates 

Aplidium elegans Aplidium punctum Aplidium sp. 

Ascidia mentula Ciona edwardsi Ciona intestinalis 

Ciona sp. Clavellina lepadiformis Clavellina nana 

Cystodites dellechiajei Diazona violacea Didemnum sp. 

Diplosoma sp. Ectenoascidia turbinata Halocynthia papillosa 

25


26 



Microcosmus sabatieri Microcosmus sp. Mulgula sp. 

Phallusia mamillata Polycarpa sp. Polycitor sp. 

Polysynchraton lacazei Pseudodistoma ctynusense Pseudodistoma obscurum 

Pyura sp. Rhopalaea neapolitana Salpa fusiformis 

Salpa maxima Styela sp. Sydnium sp. 

Synoicum blochmani Synoicum sp. Trididemnum sp. 

Tunicado s.d. 

Echiuroids 

Bonellia viridis 

Brachipods 

Brachiopoda s.d. Terebratulina rettusa 

Bryozoans 

Briozoa s.d. Caberea boryi Caberea sp. 

Celleporina sp. Hornera frondiculata Myriapora truncata 

Reteporella grimaldii Reteporella sp. Smittina cervicornis 

Turbicellepora magnicostata 

Foraminiferans 

Miniacina minacea 

Phoronids 

Phoronis australis 

Chordates 

Acantholabrus palloni Anguilla anguilla Anthias anthias 

Aspitrigla cuculus Aspitrigla sp. Aulopus filamentosus 

Blennius ocellaris Boops boops Buglossidium luteum 

Capros aper Cepola rubescens Chelidonichthys lastoviza 

Conger conger Coris julis Cynoglosidae s.d. 

Dactylopterus volitans Dasyatis pastinaca Dentex dentex 

Diplodus vulgaris Gadella maraldi Gobiidae s.d. 

Gobius gasteveni Helicolenus dactylopterus Labrus bimaculatus 

Lapanella fasciata Lepidotrigla cavillone Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei 

Lophius piscatorius Macrorhamphosus scolopax Merluccius merluccius 

Microchirus sp. Mullus barbatus Mullus surmuletus 

Muraena helena Osteichthia s.d. Pagellus sp. 

Parablennius rouxei Peristedion cataphractum Phrynorhombus regius





Phycis phycis Pleuronectes platessa Pleuronectiforme s.d. 

Raja clavata Raja miraletus Raja montagui 

Raja radula Raja sp. Scorpaena loppei 

Scorpaena notata Scorpaena scrofa Scyliorhinus canicula 

Scyliorhinus stellaris Seriola dumerili Serranus cabrilla 

Serranus hepatus Solea sp. Soleidae s.d. 

Spicana maena Spicara smaris Spicara sp. 

Symphodus cinereus Syngnathus acus Thorogobius ephittatus 

Thorogobius iphippiatus Trachinus araneus Trachinus draco 

Trachinus radiatus Trachinus sp. Trachurus sp. 

Triglidae s.d. Trisopterus minutus Zeus faber 

It should be pointed out that in certain areas of the Mallorca Channel, some species 

of green and brown algae, that are usually bathymetrically distributed in 

shallower areas, were identified in deep waters of the circalittoral. For example, 

some specimens of Codium bursa, Sporochnus pedunculatus, Arthrocladia villosa 

and Dictyota dichotoma (or even the invasive species Caulerpa racemosa and 

Lophocladia lallemandi) were located at depths over 70 meters. 

Other species of interest in the area 

Excluding sturgeon, practically all the fish, crustaceans and molluscs included in 

the priority species list of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean 

(GFCM) 44 are found on these seamounts or are expected to be found, because 

these locations are within the species’ distribution ranges. 

The following are included among the species already documented on the 

seamounts: Eledone cirrhosa, Lophius piscatorius, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus 

barbatus, Palinurus elephas, Scomber scombrus and Trachurus trachurus. In addition, 

the species identified in the Mallorca Channel and expected to be found 

here include Anguilla anguilla, Aristaeomorpha foliacea, Aristeus antennatus, 

Boops boops, Coryphaena hippurus, Eledone moschata, Engraulis encrasicholus, 

Loligo vulgaris, Lophius budegassa, Micromesistius poutassou, Mullus surmuletus, 

Nephrops norvegicus, Pagellus erythrinus, Palinurus mauritanicus, Parapenaeus 

longirostris, Sardinella aurita, Sepia officinalis, Sprattus sprattus, Thunnus alalunga, 

Thunnus thynnus, Trachurus mediterraneus and Xiphias gladius. Others that are also 

expected to be identified in this area but have not yet been recorded include Isurus 

oxyrhinchus, Lamna nasus, Merlangius merlangus, Pagellus bogaraveo, Pomatomus 

saltatrix, Prionace glauca, Psetta maxima, Sardina pilchardus and Solea vulgaris 

Other species also documented 45 in the southeast area of the Balearic Islands 

include various cartilaginous fish including Cetorhinus maximus, Carcharodon 

carcharias and Chimaera monstrosa, among others. The first two species are included 

in the list of endangered or threatened species (Annex 2) of the protocol on 

Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Interest (SPAMI). 

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28 

Habitats and communities in the Mallorca Channel 

The following table includes more than 100 communities and habitats classified by 

EUNIS 46 that have been identified on these seamounts. At least 50 more that are 

pending confirmation (indicated with an asterisk) could also be found here. 

Figure 2. Nature of the seabed of the Balearic Islands.

Table 5. List of marine habitats observed by Oceana 

classified according to EUNIS 

Codes Marine Habitats 

A4 Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata 

A4.12 Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock 

A4.121 Phakellia ventilabrum and axinellid sponges on deep, wave-exposed 

circalittoral rock 

A4.13 Mixed faunal turf communities on circalittoral rock 

A4.1311 Eunicella verrucosa and Pentapora foliacea on wave-exposed circalittoral 

rock 

A4.139* Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock 

A4.2 Atlantic and Mediterranean moderate energy circalittoral rock 

A4.21 Echinoderms and crustose communities on circalittoral rock 

A4.214 Faunal and algal crusts on exposed to moderately wave-exposed 


A4.23* Communities on soft circalittoral rock 

A4.232* Polydora sp. tubes on moderately exposed sublittoral soft rock 

A4.26 Mediterranean coralligenous communities moderately exposed to 

hydrodynamic action 

A4.266* Association with Mesophyllum lichenoides 

A4.26D Coralligenous platforms 

A4.3 Atlantic and Mediterranean low energy circalittoral rock 

A4.31 Brachipod and ascidian communities on circalittoral rock 

A4.311* Solitary ascidians, including Ascidia mentula and Ciona intestinalis, on 

wave-sheltered circalittoral rock 

A4.3111* Solitary ascidians, including Ascidia mentula and Ciona intestinalis, with 

Antedon sp. on wave-sheltered circalittoral rock 

A4.3112* Dense brittlestars with sparse Ascidia mentula and Ciona intestinalis, on 

sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata 

A4.312 Large solitary ascidians and erect sponges on wave-sheltered circalittoral 

rock 

A4.313 Antedon sp., solitary ascidians and fine hydroids on sheltered circalittoral 

rock 

A4.32 Mediterranean coralligenous communities sheltered from hydrodynamic 

action 

A4.33 Faunal communities on deep low energy circalittoral rock 

A4.7 Features of circalittoral rock 

A4.71 Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs 

A4.711 Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging 


A4.712* Caves and overhangs with Parazoanthus axinellae 

A4.713* Caves and overhangs with Corallium rubrum 

A4.714* Caves and overhangs with Leptosammia pruvoti 



29


30 




A4.715 Caves and ducts in total darkness (including caves without light or water 

movement at upper levels) 

A4.72 Circalittoral fouling faunal communities 

A4.73 Vents and seeps in circalittoral rock 

A4.733 Vents in circalittoral rock 

A5. Sublittoral sediment 

A5.14 Deep circalittoral coarse sediment 

A5.146 Scallops on shell gravel and sand with some sand scour 

A5.15 Deep circalittoral coarse sediment 

A5.25 Circalittoral fine sand 

A5.26 Circalittoral muddy sand 

A5.262* Amphiura brachiata with Astropecten irregularis and other echinoderms in 

circalittoral muddy sand 

A5.27 Deep circalittoral sand 

A5.36 Circalittoral fine mud 

A5.361 Seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud 

A5.3611 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in 

undisturbed circalittoral fine mud 

A5.363* Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud 

A5.37 Deep circalittoral mud 

A5.38 Mediterranean communities of muddy detritic bottoms 

A5.381 Facies with Ophiothrix quinquemaculata 

A5.39* Mediterranean communities of coastal terrigenous muds 

A5.391* Facies of soft muds with Turritella tricarinata communis 

A5.392* Facies of sticky muds with Virgularia mirabilis and 

Pennatula phosphorea 

A5.393 Facies of sticky muds with Alcyonium palmatum and 

Stichopus regalis 

A5.44 Circalittoral mixed sediments 

A5.441 * Cerianthus lloydii and other burrowing anemones in circalittoral muddy 

mixed sediment 

A5.4411* Cerianthus lloydii with Nemertesia spp. And other hydroids in circalittoral 

muddy mixed sediment 

A5.445* Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra brittlestar beds on sublittoral 

mixed sediment 

A5.45 Deep circalittoral mixed sediments 

A5.451 Polychaete-rich deep Venus community in offshore mixed sediments 

A5.46 Mediterranea animal communities of coastal detritic bottoms




A5.461 Facies with Ophiura texturata 

A5.462 Facies with synascidies 

A5.463 Facies with large bryozoa 

A5.47 Mediterranean communities of shelf-edge detritic bottoms 

A5.471* Facies with Neolampas rostellata 

A5.472 Facies with Leptometra phalangium 

A5.51 Maerl beds 

A5.515 Association with rhodolithes in coarse sands and fine gravels under the 

influence of bottom currents 

A5.516 Association with rhodolithes on coastal detritic bottoms 

A5.63 Circalittoral coral reefs 

A5.631 Circalittoral Lophelia pertusa reefs 

A6. Deep-sea bed 

A6.1 Deep-sea rock and artificial hard substrata 

A6.11* Deep-sea bedrock 

A6.13* Deep-sea manganese nodules 

A6.14* Boulders on the deep-sea bed 

A6.2 Deep-sea mixed substrata 

A6.21* Deep-sea lag deposits 

A6.22 Deep-sea biogenic gravels (shells, coral debris) 

A6.31 Communities of bathyal detritic sands with Gryphus vitreus 

A6.4 Deep-sea muddy sand 

A6.5 Deep-sea mud 

A6.511* Facies of sandy muds with Thenea muricata 

A6.512* Facies of fluid muds with Brissopsis lyrifera 

A6.513* Facies of soft muds with Funiculina quadrangularis and Apporhais 

seressianus 

A6.52 Communities of abyssal muds 

A6.6 Deep-sea bioherms 

A6.61 Communities of deep-sea corals 

A6.62 Deep-sea sponge aggregations 

A6.621* Facies with Pheronema grayi 

A6.7 Raised features of the deep-sea bed 

A6.72 Seamounts, knolls and banks 

A6.721 Summit communities of seamount, knoll or bank within euphotic zone 



31


32 




A6.722 Summit communities of seamount, knoll or bank within the mesopelagic 

zone, (i.e. interacting with diurnally migrating plankton) 

A6.723 Deep summit communities of seamount, knoll or bank (i.e. below 

mesopelagic zone) 

A6.724 Flanks of seamount, knoll or bank 

A6.725 Base of seamount, knoll or bank 

A6.7251 Moat around base of seamount, knoll or bank 

A6.75* Carbonate mounds 

A6.8 Deep-sea trenches and canyons, channels, slope failures and slumps on 

the continental slope 

A6.81 Canyons, channels, slope failures and slumps on the continental slope 

A6.811* Active downslope channels 

A6.812* Inactive downslope channels 

A6.813* Alongslope channels 

A6.814* Turbidites and fans 

A6.82* Deep-sea trenches 

A6.9* Vents, seeps, hypoxic and anoxic habitats of the deep sea 

A6.91* Deep-sea reducing habitats 

A6.911* Seeps in the deep-sea bed 

A6.9111* Cold seep benthic communities of hadal zone 

A6.912* Gas hydrates in deep-sea 

A6.913* Cetacean and other carasses on the deep-sea bed 

A6.92* Deep-sea bed influenced by hypoxic water column 

A6.93* Isolated “oceanic” features influenced by hypoxic water column 

A6.94 Vents in the deep sea 

A6.941* Active vent fields 

A6.942 Inactive vent fields 

A7. Pelagic water column 

A7.1 Neuston 

A7.11 Temporary neuston layer 

A7.12* Permanent neuston layer 

A7.3 Completely mixed water column with full salinity 

A7.31* Completely mixed water column with full salinity and short residence time 

A7.32 Completely mixed water column with full salinity and medium residence 

time 

A7.33 Completely mixed water column with full salinity and long residence time




A7.8 Unstratified water column with full salinity 

A7.81 Euphotic (epipelagic) zone in unstratified full salinity water 

A7.82* Mesopelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water 

A7.83* Bathypelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water 

A7.84* Abyssopelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water 

A7.9 Vertically stratified water column with full salinity 

A7.91* Water column with ephemeral thermal stratification and full salinity 

A7.92 Water column with seasonal thermal stratification and full salinity 

A7.93* Water column with permanent thermal stratification and full salinity 

A7.A Fronts in full salinity water column 

A7.A1* Ephemeral fronts in full salinity water column 

A7.A2 Seasonal fronts in full salinity water column 

A7.A3* Persistent fronts in full salinity water column 



Chelidonichthys lastoviza. © OCEANA 

Black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima) with 

hexactinellid sponges. © OCEANA 

Narcomedusa (Solmissus albescens). 

© OCEANA 

Pteropod Cymbulia peroni in waters of 

Ses Olives. © OCEANA 

33


34 

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND THREATS 

Numerous species of commercial interest aggregate on or around seamounts. 

These species are extremely vulnerable to bottom trawling. As such, the most 

obvious and urgent impact to be taken into account in terms of conservation and 

management is caused by both commercial and recreational fishing. 

Figure 3. Fishing grounds and fishermen’s associations in the Balearic area. 

Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive fishing methods for benthic ecosystems. 

It is widely known that bottom trawling alters ecosystems, reduces the 

abundance of benthic species and causes mechanical impacts due to the use of 

heavy doors that can penetrate substrates over 20 cm 47 thick, while also significantly 

increasing turbidity in the surrounding environment 48 . 

Seamounts are even more vulnerable because these are areas where species of 

commercial interest aggregate in all depth ranges, making them a focal point for 

the extractive fleet. In the Balearic area, despite the existence of a trawling fleet 

with the potential to exploit the fishing resources of Emile Baudot, Ausias March 

and Ses Olives, the rocky nature of the bottoms, the distance from major ports 

and the increased cost of fuel, among other factors, seem to have discouraged 

exploitation up to now.

The overlying water column around seamounts may also constitute an important 

pelagic habitat for various tuna and tuna-like species. The seabed’s topography 

and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the area work together to create a habitat 

that is essential for the reproduction of these species 49 . In the specific case 

of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), it has been proven that the species prefers to 

spawn in areas with fronts and eddies, as is the case of the Balearic Islands, one of 

the most important spawning areas for this species in the Mediterranean 50 . 

The Spanish Oceanographic Institute has developed various oceanographic campaigns 

in the Balearic area (TUNIBAL). The results of these campaigns shed light 

on the importance of the Balearic promontory as a spawning area for species like 

bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bullet tuna (Auxis 

rochei) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Specifically, high levels of larval concentration 

have been detected in the Mallorca Channel 51 and, in particular, the area 

around the three seamounts that are the subject of this document. 

Little information is available about the real extent of fishing activities targeting 

tuna and tuna-like species around the Ausias March, Ses Olives and Emile Baudot 

seamounts, apart from seining and longlining during the summer months. Oceana 

has observed the seabeds of the three seamounts and concludes that, although 

they are all being affected by more or less intense fishing activities, they have yet 

to be fully exploited and conserve highly valuable ecosystems. 

While carrying out sampling activities, Oceana observed various fishing operations 

that had different effects on the water column and benthic communities and 

species. 

The strongest impact on the area was caused by bottom trawling, a fishery that 

has left its mark on the Ausias March peak. These observations were compared 

to other sources that confirm the presence of bottom trawling on this seamount 

at different depths from the peak to the base, probably depending on the targeted 

species and with marked seasonal variability, where the seamount’s base was the 

most intensely targeted by trawling. 

Sponge on coralligenous bed. © OCEANA Flat fish (Arnoglossus sp.). © OCEANA 



35


36 

The most intense trawling in the area occurs in the red shrimp fishing grounds 

known as “la Mola” located approximately between 440 and 600 meters deep 52 on 

the elevation’s eastern slope. Therefore, studies at greater depths could reveal the 

strong impact on this seamount’s benthic ecosystems. Trawling activities seem to 

take place in shallower areas in winter and spring. 

Although there is a red shrimp trawling fleet in the Pitiusas, the fleet that operates 

on Ausias March most likely comes from peninsular ports like La Vila Joiosa, 

Santa Pola or Xávea, authorised to operate in these red shrimp fishing grounds at 

isobaths over 400 m 53 . Nevertheless, trawling marks that may have been caused by 

the local trawling fleet, have also been identified in shallower areas. 

In the case of Ses Olives, fishing activities consist of traps to catch Plesionika 

shrimp and surface longlines for large migratory species like swordfish (Xiphias 

gladius). Lost fishing gear, mainly lines, were also documented on these seabeds. 

Emile Baudot was in fact subjected to bottom trawling during the 80’s to target 

shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), although this activity ceased when new management 

measures limiting fishing effort entered into force, such as the implementation 

of time restrictions for fishing, which made the fleet abandon this fishing 

ground because it was located too far away. 54 

Today, the most important fishing activity on Emile Baudot is recreational fishing 

targeting large species such as wreckfish and groupers (Polyprion americanus, 

Epinephelus spp.). Oceana observations have however, revealed that some of the 

larger rocks are completed covered by fishing gear, including nets and lines. 

As mentioned above, fishing constitutes one of the main threats to the conservation 

of seamount ecosystems. Thus, specific management measures must be implemented 

for these areas, not only to conserve biodiversity, but also to conserve 

the live resources these seamounts harbour. Taking into account the importance of 

the ecosystems in these areas and the role they play in the different stages of the 

life cycles of overexploited commercial species, these measures must necessarily 

include partial or total restriction of fishing activities, depending on the type of 

fishing gear used and the different impacts the activity has on the exploited area. 

As indicated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 

(FAO) 55 , fishing is not the only threat to vulnerable marine ecosystems; waste 

dumping, contamination, mineral drilling/exploitation and climate change must 

also be taken into account. 

The most obvious anthropogenic effects identified on these seamounts are remnants 

of waste and fishing gear (buoys, lines, nets, hooks, etc.)- plastics, food 

packaging, bottles, fabrics, jars, canisters, metal waste, etc. 

Although there is no data available on how the communities present on these 

seamounts are affected by this waste, one of the most serious threats may be 

acidification. Ses Olives is an area where an important presence of pteropods has 

been observed, a taxa that is extremely vulnerable to changes in sea water pH. 

Important coral and gorgonian communities have also been observed on both 

Emile Baudot and Ausias March, species that are very sensitive to modifications 

in sea water chemistry and temperature. 

In fact, important extensions of dead corals were identified on Emile Baudot between 

250 and 350 meters deep, although their cause of death is unknown.



Longliner in Balearic waters. 

© OCEANA/ Carlos Suárez 

Garbage found on the seabeds of the 

Mallorca Channel. © OCEANA 

Tug boat with bluefin tuna cages in the 

spawning area in Balearic waters. 

© OCEANA/ Keith Ellenbogen 

37

Red calcareous algae. Balearic Islands. © OCEANA/ Carlos Suárez

THE IMPORTANCE OF 

PROTECTING SEAMOUNTS 

39


40 

All international organisations involved in marine issues and biodiversity conservation 

are developing strategies to protect seamounts worldwide because of 

their ecological importance in maintaining global marine biodiversity and their 

socio-economic importance for industries like high seas fisheries. Traditionally, 

seamounts have always been areas of intense maritime traffic of large vessels, 

including those dedicated to fishing and other important extractive industries like 

mining. 

Seamounts are seriously threatened marine ecosystems because they harbour 

species with slow growth rates and late sexual maturity, making them highly vulnerable 

to anthropogenic impacts. As such, more and more initiatives are been undertaken 

to set up a global network of protected seamounts, as the only possible 

way of guaranteeing their conservation and recovery. 

Currently, only a few seamounts have been designated marine protected areas 

(MPAs) with the goal of conserving the biodiversity they harbour. In 2008 

for example, 2,350 km² around “El Cachucho” a seamount 36 nm off the coast of 

Asturias, were declared as a MPA by the Spanish government once the importance 

and complexity of the communities that live there was proven. Other examples 

include the Tasmanian Seamounts Marine Reserve in Australia, protected 

since 1999 and currently part of a much larger marine reserve; and Bowie seamount, 

which makes up a unique habitat on the high seas because it rises from the seabed 

at 3,100 meters and almost reaches the surface, 180 km off the western coast 

of Canada. 

Figure 4. Marine protected areas.

Black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima). © OCEANA 

Boarfish (Capras aper). © OCEANA 

Furthermore, other protection treaties are being applied to seamounts and focus 

mainly on recovering fish stocks. Recently, various regional fishing organisations 

around the world have temporarily or permanently prohibited bottom trawling and 

other aggressive fishing techniques on seamounts, as a precautionary measure 

due to the imminent depletion of stocks or as a result of it. These measures are 

focused on halting the destruction and contributing to the recovery of habitats 

that are essential for overexploited fishing resources, such as deep sea coral or 

sponge beds, commonly found on seamounts. 

On a global scale, the protection of seamounts is based on only a few legislative 

tools that obligate countries around the world to halt the negative effects of their 

activities at sea, particularly the effects of fishing, mining and transportation. 

- In 1995, the FAO published the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 

to guide governments towards the sustainble use of marine live resources by 

protecting and conserving marine ecosystems. 

- In resolution A/57/141 on oceans and the law of the sea of 2003 56 , the United 

Nations General Assembly urges the most important international 

organisations involved in marine 57 affairs to improve the management of 

risks that maritime activities pose to marine biodiversity associated with 

seamounts, within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law 

of the Sea. Consequently, resolution 61/105 58 was adopted in 2006, by which 

Member States are required to adopt immediate measures to protect vulnerable 

marine ecosystems, seamounts included, from destructive fishing activities, 

acknowledging the importance and value of the ecosystems they harbour. 

- The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 59 (CBD; Rio de 

Janeiro, 1992), an international treaty for the conservation of world biodiversity, 

establishes the requirement to protect at least 10% of world marine ecoregions 

before 2012. The main objective is to halt the loss of biodiversity and for this, 

the protection of world hotspots of biodiversity, i.e. seamounts, is essential. 



41


42 

In the EU, there are a variety of directives that are directly related to the conservation 

of marine species and habitats, and these must be applied and developed by 

all Member States. These include: 

- The Marine Strategy Framework Directive 60 , which establishes the objective 

of integrating and improving all EU policies concerning the management of 

the oceans. Among its main objectives is the creation of a network of marine 

protected areas that comply with all European and international agreements, 

conventions and legislations. 

- Annex I of Directive 92/43/CEE 61 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats 

and Wild Species of Fauna and Flora (Habitats Directive) includes the 

types of habitats of community interest whose conservation requires the 

designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Unfortunately, of the 

230 habitats included for protection, only five are marine habitats: sandbanks 

which are slightly covered by sea water all the time, Posidonia beds, reefs, 

submarine structures made by leaking gases, fully or partly submerged caves. 

All submarine structures are considered reefs according to the Interpretation 

Manual of European Union Habitats and as such, seamounts are habitats of 

community interest whose conservation requires their designation as MPAs. 

In addition, annexes II, IV and V, list animal and vegetable species of community 

interest, and Member States are required to designate special areas for their 

conservation or establish management measures. Of these, only 30 are marine 

species, and some are found on seamounts including the bottlenose dolphin 

(Tursiops truncatus) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). 

- The Birds Directive 62 also lists dozens of marine species including some 

found in the Mallorca Channel, as indicated above, and the endangered Balearic 

shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus). 

At the Mediterranean level, there are various international conventions and agreements 

that have been transposed into European law. Mediterranean coastal Member 

States are required to strengthen the protection of the marine environment, 

including seamounts among other ecosystems. 

- The Barcelona Convention for the protection of the marine environment 

and the coastal region of the Mediterranean, in its Protocol on Specially 

Protected Areas and Biological Diversity, also contemplates the protection 

of highly valuable natural areas, representative marine ecosystems that 

are important for marine biodiversity and habitats that are essential for the 

survival, reproduction and recovery of endangered and endemic species of 

fauna and flora. Seamounts are globally acknowledged as hotspots of marine 

biodiversity, areas of high primary production and elevated rates of speciation 

due to their isolated location. They are therefore essential environments for 

countless marine species and conserving them is essential for maintaining 

biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. 

- The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, 

Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) 

indicates that “Parties will make an effort to create and manage specially 

protected areas for cetaceans corresponding to the areas which serve as 

habitat and/or which provide important food resources for them,” thereby 

increasing the possibility that seamounts may be considered MPAs.

- The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) 63 is 

responsible for managing fisheries resources in the Mediterranean, according 

to FAO directives. For this, it requires the parties, including Spain, to establish 

fisheries restricted areas to protect sensitive deep-sea habitats. Until now, 

only three habitats have been protected under this designation, including one 

of the tallest seamounts in the Mediterranean, the Eratosthenes. Furthermore, 

as indicated above, the commission classifies over one hundred fish, molluscs 

and crustaceans as priority species and seven of these have already been 

documented on these submarine structures, while roughly 40 species include 

these areas within their distribution range. 

Gorgonian (Callogorgia verticilata). © OCEANA 

Coralligenous bed. © OCEANA 

At the national level, apart from the laws and conventions mentioned above and 

with which Spain must comply, there are also various laws and texts that establish 

the urgent need to include seamounts in the Spanish network of marine protected 

areas. 

- The Ley del Patrimonio Natural y la Biodiversidad 64 (Law on Natural 

Heritage and Biodiversity) of 2007, includes the designation MPA in Spanish 

law, complying with EU directives and creating a network of marine protected 

areas. Since then, only one area, “El Cachucho” off Asturias, has been declared 

a marine protected area, affording protection to a wide variety of marine 

species, many of which are listed as protected. 

- La Estrategia Española para la Conservación y el Uso Sostenible de 

la Diversidad Biológica 65 (the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation 

and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity) acknowledges that, with 

roughly 80,000 taxa, Spain is responsible for conserving the widest range of 

diversity on the European continent. It also specifically mentions the marine 

environment and indicates the importance of complying with national, European 

and international conservation agreements as “an urgent requirement”, 

including the designation of SCI’s, and with the commitments established by 

the IV Protocol of the Barcelona Convention on the Protection of the marine 

environment and the coastal region of the Mediterranean and the Agreement for 

the Protection of Small Cetaceans in the Mediterranean, within the framework 

of the Bonn Convention; among others. 



43


44 

- The Ley de la Red de Parques Nacionales 66 (Law on the Network of 

National Parks), approved in 2007, lists in its annexes the marine ecosystems 

that should be included in the protection network, expressly mentioning “large 

seamounts and submarine caves, tunnels and canyons” among other criteria 

that correspond to the Balearic seamounts (see below). 

- The results of different research projects focused on defining the ecology 

of the seamounts show that they harbour most of the ecosystems included in 

the law’s annex, and large seamounts themselves are one of these ecosystems. 

Since its approval, no seamount has been included in this network. Of the 

14 Spanish national parks, only three include a marine environment, though 

they are limited in reach and are always associated with land: 

· Doñana National Park in the Gulf of Cadiz: with only 3,700 marine hectares 

legally protected as part of the park’s terrestrial zone, it leaves important 

marine fauna unprotected outside its limits. 

· The National Park of the Atlantic Islands in Galicia, where 7,285 marine 

hectares around the islands harbour extraordinary biological richness. 

Numerous sandbanks close to the islands also harbour high levels of 

diversity of endangered marine fauna and flora, although these are located 

outside the limits of the park and are therefore not protected. 

· The Cabrera Archipelago National Park, in the Balearic Islands, includes 

8,703 marine hectares in its protected area. Again, important habitats like 

kelp forests, rhodolith beds and gorgonian gardens or protected species 

like red corals (Corallium spp.) and the knobbed triton (Charonia lampas) 

are not protected because they are outside the park’s limits. 

Dying jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca). © OCEANA Echinoderm (Holothuria tubulosa). © OCEANA 

Rattail (Coelorinchus caelorhincus). © OCEANA

Other laws protecting biodiversity 

As indicated in table 3, 25 of the species identified so far on the seamounts of the 

Mallorca Channel are included in conventions, directives, laws or lists of endangered 

or protected species of fauna and flora. 

Apart from those already mentioned, other important laws that can be applied in 

this case include: 

- Law 4/1989 on the Conservation of Natural Spaces and Wild Species of Flora 

and Fauna 67 and subsequent modifications, through the National Catalogue 

of Threatened Species 68 , includes more than 50 marine species in its lists, 

especially birds and mammals, but also invertebrates like the knobbed triton 

(Charonia lampas) found on Ausias March or the sea urchin (Centrostephanus 

longispinus) present in the Mallorca Channel. 

- Concerning protected habitats, the Comprehensive Management Plan for 

the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean 69 establishes 

in its article 5 that “fishing with trawling nets, dredges or seining nets over 

Posidonia oceanica beds or any other seagrass beds, coralligenous and maerl 

beds is prohibited”. These last two ecosystems are abundant on the seamounts 

of the Balearic Islands. 

- The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural 

Habitats or the Berne Convention lists roughly 130 marine species in its 

annexes (and dozens of birds), including all cetaceans and sea turtles, 

anthozoans like Savalia savaglia (present on Ses Olives), the carnivorous 

sponge Asbestopluma hypogea (found on Ausias March), the sponge Spongia 

agaricina (documented on Emile Baudot and Ausias March), etc. 

- The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) 70 or the Bonn Convention. 

Apart from ACCOBAMS (see above), which depends on this convention, its 

annexes include many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and elasmobranchs 

present or potentially present on these seamounts. 

- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 

Fauna and Flora (CITES) 71 or the Washington Convention: although it only 

regulates international trade, CITES clearly indicates which species are 

endangered and are hence in need of management measures. Various species 

listed in its annexes are found on the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel, 

including black corals (Antipathes spp., Leiopathes glaberrima) and button cup 

corals (Caryophyllia spp). It also lists various vertebrates commonly found in 

the Mallorca Channel, including birds, turtles, mammals and fish. 

- We should also mention the various red lists of fauna and flora, such as the 

one compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 72 

or the one compiled by the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands 73 

which lists 8 species found on the seamounts of the Mallorca Channel. 



45

Red tube worm (Serpula vermicularis). Balearic Islands. 

© OCEANA/ Juan Cuetos

CONCLUSION AND PROPOSAL 

FOR A NATIONAL MARINE PARK 

OF THE SEAMOUNTS OF THE 

MALLORCA CHANNEL 

47


48 

Rhodolith beds. © OCEANA 

Lobster (Polinurus elephas). © OCEANA 

Yellow tree coral 

(Dendrophyllia cornigera). © OCEANA 

Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus). 

© OCEANA 

All marine areas currently protected in the Balearic Islands are located on the 

coasts or are related to archipelagos, islands or islets, so the habitats and communities 

they harbour are not usually found outside the infralittoral zone. 

This proposal aims to include these three seamounts within the Natura 2000 network 

so they may be subsequently included in the Network of National Parks. 

The seamounts of the Mallorca Channel are located within the territorial sea 

(Ausias March), in the contiguous area (Ses Olives) and in the fishery protected 

zone (Ses Olives and Emile Baudot). Declaring this a marine protected area would 

would allow it to fall under various types of conservation designations, including 

the combination of National Park with other national and international designations 

(Marine Reserve, SPAMI, etc.). Taking into account the oceanographic 

and biological characteristics of these seamounts and the species they harbour, 

described in this report, the proposed area is also an ideal candidate for protection 

by the GFCM as a fisheries restricted area in order to protect deep-sea vulnerable 

habitats. This would mean the Spanish government is actively promoting 

marine conservation away from the coasts and shallow areas, establishing a 

precedent for environmental protection of the seamounts and deep waters of the 

Mediterranean. 

The designation of a national park of the seamounts on the high seas of the 

Mallorca Channel would substantially increase the ecosystemic diversity of the 

protected spaces, including almost fifty habitats and marine communities, and 

hundreds of species. In addition, apart from complying with Law 42/2007 on Natural 

Heritage and Biodiversity 74 , the “Cibeles” priorities of the Spanish government 

to halt the loss of biodiversity 75 , the Order ARM/143/2010 for the establishment of 

a Comprehensive Fishery Plan for the Mediterranean 76 and the draft bill on the 

Law of Maritime Fishing and Aquaculture of the Balearic Islands 77 , the proposal 

to create this protected area would also respond to 11 of the 13 natural Spanish

marine systems to be represented in the network of national parks, according to 

the law 78 . Only seagrass beds and communities of photophilic or laminarian algae 

would be left out of the bathymetric distribution range of these seamounts and 

would not meet the criteria to create a national park (except species like Laminaria 

rodriguezii and possibly Phyllariopsis purpurascens, not yet identified on these 

structures). The rest would be: 

- Systems associated with submarine gas seeps. 

Found in the mud volcano fields north of Emile Baudot. These systems may 

also be found in other areas because both Emile Baudot and Ausias March are 

of volcanic origin. 

- Detritic and sedimentary bottoms. 

All of the walls and bases of these seamounts are heavily covered by sediments. 

In fact, most of the peak of Ses Olives is covered by soft sediment. The deeper 

area, especially the slope, is dominated by planktonic sediment generating a 

mud bottom with biogenic material with strong presence of foraminiferans 

like Orbulina universa 79 . 

- Deep-sea coral beds. 

Some deep areas of Emile Baudot show high concentrations of deep-sea 

scleractinian corals, sometimes alive, but also large extensions of dead 

colonies. Furthermore, the shallow areas of both Emile Baudot and Ausias 

March harbour important communities of soft corals or gorgonians that should 

be protected. We should also mention the presence of large black corals 

(Leiopathes glaberrima) on the walls of Ses Olives. 

- Maerl beds. 

This type of coralligenous bed has been documented on both Emile Baudot and 

Ausias March, covering large extensions between 80 and 130 meters depth. 

- Coralligenous communities. 

Like maerl beds, coralligenous communities cover large areas of Emile Baudot 

and especially Ausias March, and some coralline algae can be found close to 

150 meters depth. 

- Pelagic passing areas, spawning areas or areas with regular presence of 

cetaceans or large migratory fish. 

Apart from the fact that the Mallorca Channel is an important spawning ground 

for large pelagic species like bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), albacore (Thunnus 

alalunga) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius), cetaceans are also commonly found 

around these seamounts. During the samplings completed by Oceana, groups 

of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were often seen around Ses Olives; 

and a dolphin skull was found on Emile Baudot. Other species of cetaceans can 

also be found in this channel including striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), 

pilot whales (Globicephala melas), etc. 

Although not specifically mentioned in any law, other highly migratory species 

also present on these seamounts, like sea turtles, should also be taken into 

account. 



49


50 

- Large seamounts, submarine caves, tunnels and canyons. 

The three structures can be considered seamounts and banks and can be 

included within this category. Caves, tunnels and other cavities can also be 

found on seamounts. 

- Large filtering communities: Sponges, ascidians and bryozoans. 

The three seamounts harbour important and abundant communities of 

poriferans, creating sponge fields on coralligenous or maerl beds in some 

areas. These are also common on other substrates. The presence of some 

species protected by international conventions should also be mentioned, 

including Spongia agaricina, Axinella polypoides and Asbestopluma hypogea 

(although this last is not a filter feeder, but a carnivorous “hunter”). 

Ascidians and bryozoans, although less abundant, are also present. 

- Communities on hard substrates with populations of photophilic or shadetolerant 

algae. 

As indicated above, sunlight reaches the shallower parts of Emile Baudot and 

Ausias March, allowing the development of algal communities, coralligenous 

communities and other sciaphilic species. 

- Shoals and sharp escarpments. 

The Emile Baudot escarpment is possibly the largest and deepest one in the 

Spanish Mediterranean. The shoals and smaller escarpments of the other 

seamounts in this channel should also be taken into account. 

- Rocky banks. 

By nature, seamounts are rocky banks and, in addition, their bottoms are 

comprised of hard substrates perfect for the development of a wide variety of 

communities (gorgonian gardens, sponge fields, deep-sea corals, etc.). 

As we have explained in this document, because seamounts are unique 

habitats of biological importance included in agreements and conventions 

on marine conservation, a marine protected area should be created in the 

Mallorca Channel. This area should be considered a National Park. 

Map 3. Proposal for the marine protected area 

“Seamounts of the Mallorca Channel”.►



51

Submerging the ROV and the Oceana Ranger as seen from the sea. © OCEANA/ Iñaki Relanzón 

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Gestión para la conservación de los recursos pesqueros en el Mediterráneo. Núm. 27 Lunes 1 

de febrero de 2010, Sec. III. Pág. 9163-9167. 

77._ GOIB (2010). Esborrany de l’Avantprojecte de Llei de pesca marítima, marisqueig i aqüicultura 

a les Illes Balears. Conselleria d’Agricultura i Pesca. Govern de les Illes Balears. 143 pp. 

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BOE Nº 81: 14639-14649. 

79._ Cartes J. E., Maynou F., Morales-Nin B., Massutí E. & J. Moranta (2001). Trophic structure of a 

bathyal benthopelagic boundary layer community south of the Balearic Islands (southwestern 

Mediterranean). Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 215: 23-35. 



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This publication and all related research was completed by Oceana with the collaboration of Fundación 

Biodiversidad, Fundación MarViva and Fundación La Caixa. 

We would like to thank the Oceana Ranger and MarViva Med crewmembers, the divers and ROV technicians, as 

well as the General Directorate of Fisheries of the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands and the Spanish 

Oceanographic Institute for providing us with documentation and information. 

Project Director • Xavier Pastor 

Authors • Ricardo Aguilar, Enrique Pardo, María José Cornax, Silvia García, Jorge Ubero 

Editor • Marta Madina 

Editorial Assistants • Aitor Lascurain, Ángeles Sáez, Natividad Sánchez 

Cover • Individuals soft sea star (Hacelia attenuata) Ausias March, Channel of Mallorca, Balearic Islands. 

© OCEANA 

Design and layout • NEO Estudio Gráfico, S.L. 

Photo montage and printer • Imprenta Roal, S.L. 

Portions of this report are intellectual property of ESRI and its licensors and are used under license. 

Copyright © 2010 ESRI and its licensors. All rights reserved. 

Reproduction of the information gathered in this report is permitted as long as © OCEANA is cited as the source. 

November 2010

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