Environmental Sustainability in Maritime Hubs

Abstract

The historical Port of Santa Pola is looking for a transformation towards sustainability, as the European Union and the Agenda 2030 require. This paper examines the situation of Santa Pola's port regarding the green path. It explores the challenges that the city and its port are facing, the progress achieved so far, and future initiatives for achieving the green transition. Traditionally, these include the adoption of renewable energy sources, the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and, most importantly, the engagement of the local community. However, to achieve them, it is necessary to secure the support of public institutions. The author hopes that this paper will provide valuable insight for policymakers, stakeholders, and maritime professionals committed to advancing environmental sustainability in port operations in Santa Pola.

To reference this paper: 

Polo Martín, B., 2024. Environmental sustainability in maritime hubs: The case of Santa Pola, Spain. In Towards Circular: Analysis of the coastal areas of Greece, Italy and Spain. Edited by Skupchenko, J.K. Think Tank AlterContacts. Available at: https://www.altercontacts.org/publications/towards-circular-2024/es-sd-1 

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13073.03685

Introduction

Nowadays, awareness about environmental issues is increasing in our society. Among the domains seeking a green path, ports have a relevant position due to their high impact on immediate surroundings. These impacts have different natures, such as environmental, industrial, socio-economic, and physical. Spain is considered to have a well-developed network of ports, which play a crucial role in the country's economy as key points for international trade, tourism, and fishing (de Manuel López et al., 2024).

Born as a fishing town, Santa Pola (Alicante province, Valencian Community) is now a popular tourist resort due to its proximity to big centers, excellent beaches, and a warm climate. It is easy to access, the road infrastructure is in good condition, and it is conveniently located near Alicante´s airport to the north and Murcia San Javier´s airport to the south. Nearby destinations include La Marina, Guardamar del Segura, and Torrevieja to the south and Alicante to the north. From Santa Pola, visitors can take regular ferries to the island of Tabarca, which is currently immersed in the process of regeneration and conservation.

Despite becoming successful as a tourist town in the 1960s, the town port continues to be operational. Its fleet is the most active in the Valencian Community after Alicante and consists of trawlers, purse seiners, and small-scale fishing boats. Due to its importance, the port has a well-developed infrastructure to support fishing activities. Additionally, Santa Pola boasts a beautiful marina filled with recreational boats.

Fishing in Santa Pola not only provides direct employment to fishermen (200 direct jobs) but also generates a significant number of indirect jobs in related industries such as fish processing, boat construction and maintenance, marketing, and tourism. This sector is vital for the local economy and the well-being of the community.

According to its historical activity (Álvarez Tortosa et al., 2021), right now, Santa Pola, like many coastal towns, faces several sustainability challenges. Efforts to address these challenges involve coordination among local government, businesses, citizens, and environmental organizations to create a balanced approach that ensures a long-term sustainable future. These interests align with increasing efforts at all levels, from institutions such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), and the European Seaports Organization (ESPO), to promote sustainability in ports through a broader environmental vision that encompasses other issues, such as health, economy or social (Cerceau, 2014; Ducruet et al., 2024).

In recent years, various measures have been implemented to ensure the sustainability path in Valencia Community and, as a result, in Santa Pola. These measures have focused on, among other domains, the port area. Santa Pola has experienced a regulation of catches, the protection of certain species and marine areas, and the promotion of responsible fishing practices that ensure the conservation of marine resources for future generations (Giner, 2023). The questions that this paper intends to answer include: What is the current situation in the shipping and fishing industry in Santa Pola? What influence does the main port have on the coastline? What are the key factors detrimental to the environment and society? What possibilities for sustainable development can be implemented there?”

Methodology

Studying sustainability in ports involved a comprehensive methodology that integrated environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This literature review included existing academic literature, industry reports, and case studies related to port sustainability. It was necessary to check policies and regulations and what kind of bibliography exists related to the subject. 

First of all, it was necessary to make an approach to legislation, European as well as national or local. Understanding the regulations regarding ports and activities related to them, mainly fishing in the case of Valencia Community, it was necessary to look for some reports and articles in Google Scholar from the 2000s, when the policies about ports started being modified. The terms Santa Pola, Valencia, port, fishing, and sustainability were used in the search. 

To establish benchmarks and identify best practices, it was necessary to compare the sustainability practices of leading ports globally. From previous research, the author knew of practices in other European ports, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, or Hamburg, so this information was found directly on the page of each port. Finally, after literature and case study analysis, the research strategy was developed. 

Sustainability in Ports

The impacts of ports have garnered increasing attention in recent decades, especially from the Paris Agreement in 2016 (United Nations, 2016)or the 2022 COP (Conference of Parties) conference and the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals to accomplish Agenda 2030. However, these concerns started much earlier. Ports have a role as transport hubs and attract industrial and logistical activities, demonstrated by the growth pole and free-zone policies of the 1970s in Western countries and, more prominently, in Asia.

Rising environmental concerns, coupled with numerous technical, technological, spatial, and socio-economic considerations, have often driven the separation of ports from cities. This has led to the relocation or closure of ports and the redevelopment of old port areas for new urban uses such as culture and tourism (Hoyle, 1989). Today, industrial and port activities typically operate in peripheral locations, serving traditional port cities with other ways of transport and creating new pressures on out-of-town areas.

Concerns related to the impact of ports have been increasing over the years, but lately, and with the urgency that the Agenda of 2030 represents, the transition of all sectors, including ports, to a sustainable path, the research in this domain multiplies. In 1993, the International Association of Cities and Ports (IACP) titled its fourth international conference, “Port Cities, Actors of the Environment” (IACP, 1994). In the early 2000s, research began to focus on integrating environmental values into port policies (Chédot, 2001), green transformation of industrial maritime transport (Comtois and Slack, 2005), and legislation (Ansaud, 2006) among other areas such as the development of measures about CO2 and PM2.5 levels (Merk and Dang, 2013), industrial ecology (Cerceau et al., 2014), environmental conflicts (Lo Prete, 2012; Bartlomiejski, 2016), urban vulnerability in port cities (Lo Prete, 2015), the port´s sustainability and port-city plans (Schipper et al., 2017) or environmental issues in port cities (Wagner, 2019; Carpenter and Lozano, 2020; Zheng et al., 2020 and Ducruet et al. 2024).

Two leading families of measures can be found in some ports to address these issues: those related to the energy transition and those facilitating transportation flow. Through the European Seaports Organisation (ESPO), the European Commission awards the "Ecoport" label to ports committed to measuring and controlling emissions. Using Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS), "noise mapping" effectively targets noise reduction measures and supports community awareness initiatives. Collaboration between government agencies, port authorities, maritime companies, and local communities is essential to address these health concerns effectively.

Santa Pola´s port as economic center

The Valencian Community has over 518 km of coastline bordering the Mediterranean Sea, which has historically been a fundamental element for the development of fishing and other marine activities. There are 21 Fishermen's Guilds: 13 in Alicante (Alicante, Altea, Benidorm, Calpe, Dénia, El Campello, Guardamar del Segura, Jávea, Moraira, Santa Pola, Tabarca, Torrevieja, and Villajoyosa), 5 in Castellón (Benicarló, Burriana, Castellón de la Plana, Peñíscola, and Vinarós), and 3 in Valencia (Cullera, Gandía, and Valencia) that occupy a significant portion of the Valencian coastline.

Santa Pola, located in the southeast of the Valencian Community, has a rich history that reflects its importance in maritime activities. Its history dates back to the 4th century BC when an Iberian settlement was built at the mouth of the Vinalopó River to serve as a commercial base with Greece. Later, in the 1st century AD, near this settlement, a port was built to serve the city of Illici (now Elche), as Claudius Ptolemy wrote in Civitates Mediterraneae. This port was fundamental for the development of maritime trade in the region, and, along with Cartagena, it became one of the most important ports due to significant fishing activity.

Several studies have been dedicated to the type of fishing in the southeastern area of the Iberian Peninsula, between the capes of Palos and San Antonio and its twelve fishing ports. These studies (Fernández González, 2009) provide an understanding of the type of fishing traditionally carried out in the city and surrounding ports. The fishing wealth of Santa Pola is reflected in the annual landings of 20,000 tons of various species (García Rodríguez et al., 2006), of which 11,000 tons come from the purse seine fleet, primarily targeting sardines and anchovies. Additional catches include horse mackerel, mackerel, and frigate mackerel. Currently, the bottom trawl fleet is the second most important in terms of landings, averaging 8,000 tons annually (García Rodríguez et al., 2006).

Among the number of registered vessels in the Valencian Community, Santa Pola and Isla de Tabarca stand out, representing a quarter of the total number. Both of them are at the top regarding the number of small-scale and trawler boats. 

This economic activity has been included as part of the bioeconomy. According to the FAO, this is an economic system that uses biological resources from the land and sea, as well as waste, as inputs for the production of food and feed, industrial and energy production, and the use of biological processes in a sustainable industry.

This concept, which integrates all economic activities related to the marine environment, was initially included in Europe within the Horizon 2020 Plan and later in the Horizon Europe Plan (2021-2027). In Spain, the main instrument for the development of the bioeconomy is the Spanish Bioeconomy Strategy: Horizon 2030. Fishing activities such as aquaculture and the exploitation of marine resources can be influenced by a better understanding of marine biology and ecosystems. The sustainable management of these resources adapted to the evolving knowledge of marine science researchers and the comprehensive use of marine resources for obtaining bioproducts and algae, in line with the blue growth proposed by the European Commission (2018 and 2021), is vital.

This type of economy plays an important role in the development of both traditional and emerging sectors across Europe and in Spain (Vaca Cabrero et al. 2024); in this case, the Valencian Community as well (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, 2015). According to data provided by Giner (2023), the most representative sectors of the Blue Economy in this community employ around 315,764 people and contribute over 23.4 billion euros to the gross value added (GVA). That supposes 15% of total employment and 20% of the total GVA of the Valencian Community. These values are significantly higher than those recorded in Spain (4.9% employment, 3.0% GVA) and in the EU (2.3% employment, 1.5% GVA).

Furthermore, the fishing sector alone accounts for 2.6% of employment and 4.1% of the GVA of the entire blue economy, making it the fourth most important sector in this community, after coastal tourism, maritime transport, and port activities. The different economic reports about fishing in different parts of the Valencian Community situate Santa Pola as one of the top in the list (Lillo Bañuls et al. (2024). 

Similar to the tonnage data, the revenue trends show a decline from 2014 to 2019, followed by a recovery and increase in the subsequent years. This reflects how changes in fishing activity due to regulations and possibly market conditions impacted the economic returns over this period. During the last ten years, this economic activity has been visibly affected by other factors, including overfishing, among other environmental problems. Some studies indicate that temperature changes are the main issue affecting the location of species (Calatayud Díaz, 2014). The poor condition of fish stocks in the Mediterranean has led to the establishment of very strict multi-annual management plans.

Since 1970, the European Union has made efforts to manage European fishing fleets and conserve fish stocks through a regulation to sustainability called the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) – originally a part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With the reform in 2013 (Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013), the new CFP, together with the joint organization of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013) and the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (Regulation (EU) No 508/2014) included the following criteria:

• Environmental, economic, and social objectives in fisheries.

• All managed fish stocks should reach the maximum sustainable yield by 2020.

• The gradual introduction of a landing obligation by 2019.

• Continued application of multi-annual plans (MAPs) to more specifically manage fisheries in different marine basins.

• Regionalization to allow EU countries to propose detailed measures.

• Maximum fleet capacity limits per EU country combined with the obligation for EU countries to ensure a stable and lasting balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities over time.

After ten years, in February 2023 (European Commission, 2023), the European Commission improved the sustainability and resilience regulations with four points: 1) Communication on the functioning of the joint fisheries policy; 2) Protecting marine ecosystems; 3) Energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector; 4) Common market organization. As a complement, in October 2023, a study about the role of fishers -Fishers of the Future—was launched as part of the Pact for Fisheries and Oceans.

As a result of the European policy, in 2020, the Demersal Plan for fishing in the Western Mediterranean was implemented in Spain (Guijarro, 2023). In the Valencian Community, this plan has resulted in fewer days of fishing and, consequently, a reduction in catches and in the income of the fishing sector. It has primarily affected the trawl fleet, which represents 39.3% of the Valencian fishing fleet. By province, the fishing sector in Alicante has been the most affected by the plan, with 45% of its fleet dedicated to this type of fishing, while in the provinces of Castellón and Valencia, the trawl fleet represents 39.9% and 27.2%, respectively. This type of fishing accounts for 63% of the fishing revenue in the Valencian Community, with varying significance across its ports. In the case of Santa Pola, the fishing fleet is only able to go out to fish between 120 and 140 days this year, according to the latest EU regulation.  

The severity of these plans, along with external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit (especially for some fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic), and high fuel prices, undermine the future of the fishing sector (Lleonart, 2024). Fuel costs, along with labor costs, are the main operating costs of the fishing sector. Therefore, economic performance depends significantly on fuel prices. Currently, with the increase in fuel prices due to the geopolitical situation, the costs endanger the economic sustainability of the EU fishing sector. 

Another weakness of Santa Pola´s fishing sector is the lack of skilled labor. This is mainly due to the low salaries, which lead better-prepared and younger people to seek employment in more profitable sectors (Calatayud Díaz, 2014). In recent years, this trend of migration to more economically attractive sectors has also occurred with unskilled labor. As a result, the vacancies in the fishing sector are filled primarily by newcomers from foreign lands.

A potential pressure on the EU fishing sector is the increase in the protection of EU seas, in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) request to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 through a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective conservation measures.

The reduction of fishing days, combined with high fuel prices, the rising maintenance costs for the vessels, and the lack of interest of new generations to continue the work, has placed fishermen of Santa Pola in what they describe as a very hard situation. Solving the problems of the fishing sector in the Mediterranean Sea, in general, and Santa Pola specifically, remains challenging, considering the termination of the tax exemption in the near future given the EU Green Deal and the interest in reducing CO2 emissions, as well as international pressure (for example, World Trade Organization negotiations). 

Impact of the port on the natural heritage around 

The port has not only an economic impact on the surroundings but also an influence on the coastline and the marine ecosystem, both positive and negative. In this area, we find the Salinas Natural Park, which was declared a natural park by the Valencian government in December 1994. Located between the municipalities of Santa Pola and Elche, it includes all existing salt production facilities, a series of brackish water ponds to the west dedicated to hunting and fishing, as well as a coastal area with a belt of dunes and natural beaches. However, the beaches and dunes are in danger because of the continuous urbanization.

However, the port adds positive value to the recovery of sand. Longitudinal currents in an East-West direction facilitate the transport of sediments towards the Vatasa breakwaters and the port of Santa Pola. These infrastructures act as obstacles to the currents, causing significant accumulation of sand in the bottoms of Levante and Varadero beaches. This retention naturally favors the replenishment of sand on the dry beach when calm conditions occur.

A series of structures were projected to regenerate and create a stable beach in optimal conditions for swimmers. Measures such as the construction of three detached breakwaters, which allow for the deposition of sediment and protect the beach from incoming waves by controlling sediment transport, are being implemented, along with artificial nourishment. Additionally, a series of transversal breakwaters were dismantled.

The port has an effect in the marine reserve of Tabarca Island. About 80% of its surface is covered by Posidonia oceanica, representing one of the best-preserved seagrass meadows on the Valencian coast. In addition to providing an important habitat for a wide variety of marine species, Posidonia plays a role in protecting our planet from the increasing accumulation of carbon dioxide. It acts as a "carbon sink". In other words, Posidonia absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helps to slow the effects of global warming. However, recently, during the last analysis of water quality, the water located south of the ports of Alicante and Santa Pola presented a low environmental quality due to their high eutrophication. The causes include port activities of both cities, especially the former, after its expansion (Sánchez Lisazo et al., 2020). When industrial, urban, and agricultural discharges reach the sea, coastal waters receive a flood of nutrients, which reduces oxygen levels and causes marine life to suffocate and die (Fundacion Aquae).

Maritime and port activities can pollute waterways through spills of hazardous materials, discharge of untreated wastewater, and runoff from port facilities. We should remember that ports handle a wide range of hazardous materials, including chemicals, fuels, and toxic substances. Improper handling, storage, or transportation of these materials can increase the risk of accidents, spills, and exposures, leading to acute and chronic health effects among workers and surrounding communities (Sakib et al., 2021).

Some pilot projects, such as electrolytic artificial reefs (Información, 2023), were implemented last year to purify water. Following the trend of other countries like Italy (Serra Peris and Medina Folgado, 1988), the reef structures are placed about 180 meters from the coast and at a depth of 4 meters. The project aims not only to create a habitat for marine flora and fauna but also to attract divers and tourists interested in ecotourism.

In Santa Pola, artificial reefs have become a crucial tool for the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems. Also, in the Tabarca area, near Santa Pola, pyramid-shaped structures made of concrete blocks have been placed at a depth of 24 meters. These structures not only prevent trawling but also create a refuge for numerous marine species. Divers can observe an impressive variety of marine life (dive-academy).

Besides the problem of water pollution, there are other dangers. Among the most treacherous and invisible risks, some articles show that emissions of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particles (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause the degradation of air quality (Ledoux et al., 2018; Mwase et al., 2020; Merico et al., 2020; Gregoris et al., 2021). These pollutants can contribute to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer among port workers and nearby residents (EEA, 2019). In some cases, there is talk of excess mortality, as in the case of neighborhoods near the port in Dunkirk.

Conclusion

There are two critical issues concerning the transition towards sustainability. First, it is necessary to operate as a sustainable port (eco port), promoting economic growth while prioritizing the environment and social responsibility in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, it is vital to achieve a balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social justice so that a better future for all can be possible.

Sustainable fishing 

As mentioned above, the current fishing system suffers a deep crisis, not only economically but also environmentally and socially. The European Union itself recognizes the failure of its Common Fisheries Policy (European Commission, 2009, 2011) and the need to reformulate it. This is why the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), as established by Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 of July 27, 2006, seeks to finance a restructuring of the sector and sets as one of its five priority axes the “sustainable development of fishing areas.” To achieve this, the EFF aims to “support measures and initiatives aimed at diversifying and enhancing economic development in areas affected by the decline of fishing activities.”

These regulations have been followed by national regulations in Spain. The new Law 5/2023, of March 17, on Sustainable Fishing and Fisheries Research 2023, updates the previous State Maritime Fishing Law of 2001. This recent regulation has sustainability as its transversal axis, with a triple perspective: conservation of fishery resources, economic activity and employment, and social cohesion of coastal areas.

For the first time, it regulates the management of genetic fishery resources and addresses the management of recreational fishing in external waters. It introduces reducing coefficients for the retirement age in health-risk fishing activities predominantly performed by women, such as shellfish gatherers, net makers, and packers.

The objectives of this Law on Sustainable Fishing and Fisheries Research are to strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of fishing resources, ensure that this activity contributes to job creation, wealth generation, and social cohesion of coastal areas, and to strengthen the link between science and political action in this area. This law aims to respond to the new challenges of fishery management, ensuring optimal use of resources and existing fishing opportunities while maintaining a balance with fishing capacity. In this sense, the artificial reef projects not only benefit marine life through water purification but also offer new opportunities for recreational diving, contributing to local tourism and the regional economy.

In this crisis environment and with the financial support of the EFF, various initiatives have been emerging in Spain, creating, practically from scratch, a sector dedicated to fishing tourism (Molina et al., 2010). Alicante, and specifically Santa Pola, could follow the examples of Galicia and Catalonia (Miret Pastor, et al., 2015).

Another possible solution is intended to boost the aquaculture production of low trophic level species with almost no impact on the environment with the aim of improving the sustainability of the food production system and feeding an increasingly large human population (Piedecausa López, 2018). This activity is essential for addressing climate change and meeting food demands. It remains to be seen whether consumers are willing to incorporate or increase the consumption of low trophic level species such as algae and some shellfish (for example, mussels).

However, the APROMAR report (2023) highlights significant administrative complexities as a major obstacle. Specifically, new marine aquaculture startups face substantial administrative barriers unless they purchase existing facilities, which hinders sector growth.

Furthermore, there is a pressing need for investments in engineering to integrate technological innovations that enhance operational processes. It is also crucial for companies to expand and invest in scaling up their operations to achieve economies of scale, thereby reducing average costs and improving profitability. In that sense, the government plays a crucial role in facilitating more accessible procedures for obtaining licenses for aquaculture installations or expansions. Supporting the sector and simplifying access to assistance through companies or aquaculture associations are essential steps forward.

Renewables energies

As we have previously pointed out (Ferrando León, 2020), Tabarca Island is located 8 kilometers offshore. As part of the conservation and regeneration project, a study on a renewable energy system utilizing the existing solar, aquatic, and wind resources in the area was conducted. Following this example and analyzing the results, the port of Santa Pola could repeat the best practices.

The port authorities, together with governmental institutions, need to collaborate with the private sector in sustainable development initiatives, such as opportunity identification, proposing viable solutions, and establishing a budget in order to make some of the changes below possible:

• Installation of photovoltaic panels on rooftops of port buildings, warehouses, and other structures to generate electricity (following the example of Rotterdam´s or Hamburg´s port).

• Use of solar-powered lighting for port facilities,  and allowing lowering carbon emissions.

• Installation of small wind systems on port infrastructure to supplement energy needs (following the example of Rotterdam´s or Hamburg´s port).

• Transforming organic waste generated in port activities into biogas or biofuels.

• Cultivating algae for biofuel production (for example, follow the example of Ammonia in the port of Antwerp).

• Installing large-scale batteries to store excess renewable energy.

Training

Nowadays, specific skills are required when working at sea. However, there are few young people who are trained in specialized programs aimed at the fishing sector. Alicante has the Mediterranean Maritime Fishing Polytechnic Institute, the only center of its kind in the Community. Although the institution is in the capital and not in Santa Pola, what happens in this center affects Santa Pola's fishing activity as well. A declining student quota puts the Institute in a complex situation since there is a dilemma about which Ministry should assume the powers of the educational institution. It is currently within the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, which urges the Ministry of Education to assume responsibility for centers of these characteristics.

SDG Alignment and Indicators

Regarding possibilities for sustainable development in Santa Pola, the first framework we have to consider is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to ports and sustainability. Ports, infrastructures that play a crucial role in global trade and economy, pose significant environmental challenges.

If we look carefully at the situation of a medium-sized port, as it is one of Santa Pola, there are some additional activities that can be implemented to promote a sustainable path and adjust fully to the SDG goals. However, the role of public institutions and other stakeholders is essential to fully completing the purpose. In the case of Santa Pola´s port, these actions could be directly related to Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). 

Finally, in order to assess if there is progress to achieve the proposed SDGs, specific indicators are necessary. Usually, port authorities use the metrics to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development to stakeholders and authorities. A sustainable path might include adopting renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient technologies, enhancing waste management practices, and engaging in community development programs.

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