A small island group off the Costa Brava renowned for protected rocky reefs, caves, seagrass and dense fish communities.
Illes Medes
Why it is protected
Conserve reef and seagrass biodiversity.
Manage diving and fishing pressure around the islands.
Habitats and significant life
Habitats: Rocky reef, Sea cave, Posidonia seagrass meadow, Coralligenous habitat.
Significant species: Dusky grouper, Red coral, Barracuda, Seagrass communities.
Rules and activities
Diving access and other activities are regulated through permits, quotas and protected-area zoning.
Governance
Government of Catalonia; Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park.
Pressures
Diving pressure; Boating; Marine heatwaves.
Protection effectiveness
These dimensions are intentionally separate: a valid designation or active management program does not, by itself, prove ecological recovery.
Habitats and marine life connections
Ecologically related protected areas
These places share documented habitat types or the same ocean region. The relationship is ecological context, not proof of direct connectivity.
Condition and evidence
MLL reports what the available evidence supports. It does not infer ecological health from designation or mapped coverage.
Insufficient evidence
Official protection and management information is available, but the evidence reviewed does not support a single current ecological condition trend for this protected area.
Protection framework
Positive evidenceThe protection plan area is implemented; this describes legal status, not ecological outcome.
- Evidence period
- 1992–present
- Geographic scope
- Entire designated area
- Confidence
- high
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
Ecological outcome
Insufficient evidenceA comparable, current ecological trend has not yet been established in this MLL review.
- Evidence period
- Current public evidence review
- Geographic scope
- Entire protected area
- Confidence
- not-assessed
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
How to read this: Insufficient evidence means the available evidence cannot support a conclusion. It does not mean the MPA is in poor condition.
Sources
Illes Medes — Nationally designated areas — European Environment Agency. Verified 2026-09-13.