Within the proposal L’Institut de Recerca Oceanogràfica of Xàbia has presented to the fishermen associations of the Marina Alta to regulate a number of fishing exclusion zones, the Roca dels Felius is a very special case. This underwater mountain, about 3.5 miles east of Cap de la Nau and to 60 meters deep at the top and 110 m the deepest, is known for rich underwater around him, several species of corals, gorgonians (candlesticks, crespellars and oliveres) gives hideout to the rock fish and shellfish, one of the main generators of marine life in our waters.
However over the years has undergone an excessive fishing pressure that has damaged part of its structure, reducing its size considerably.
That is why we consider it necessary to declare their environment as a Marine Protected Area to ensure its contribution of marine life, which alone does not improve the rest of the marine environment but even at the same local fishing industry, which could reach majors catch out of their environment. So we proposed a study on delimited:
-Knowledge of current Roca dels Felius: bathymetry, characterization of biological communities and species of fishing interest.
-Analysis of the current state of fishing operation in the area.
-According to all, or most, of the fisheries concerned.
-Collecting information about sites with similar characteristics.
-Planning monitoring measures.
-Proposal writing protection.
-Implementation of monitoring plans on fisheries experimental biological communities and surveillance plans.
With all that we could establish the best way to protect the rock with the participation of the fishing industry in La Marina Alta, achieving a better balance between our activities and the marine environment.
