Brussels, 31/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Environmentalist organisation Oceana has informed the Spanish government and the regional Balearic government of illegal trawling activities that are threatening the coralligenous and maërl seabeds (formations of calcareous red algae recognised as protected habitats by Spanish and international regulations) to the south of Majorca, in the Migjorn nature reserve and to the east of the Cabrera National Park, in the area known as Fort den Moreu. “We have demanded effective protection for these habitats for years, given their environmental and fishing significance, and because it is a legal obligation under EU and Spanish regulations, which recognise them as protected habitats”, said Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe in a press release. For this reason, the organisation has urged the Spanish government finally to enforce the legislation that is in place - in particular the Mediterranean Regulation and the Comprehensive Plan for Management of Mediterranean resources - and to expressly ban trawling in areas where these habitats are found. Trawling poses a serious threat to the conservation of this area and to that of the species, such as hake, lobster, and red mullet, which depend on it. The area is also home to other essential, sensitive habitats of interest for the fishing industry, such as squid spawning grounds, and crinoid fields. (LC/transl.fl)