Located off the Vigo Estuary (Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain), is the Illas Cíes SAC, within the Atlantic biogeographic region. With a very small permanent human population, its area encompasses the Cíes archipelago and the surrounding marine area. It comprises the islands of Monteagudo to the north, Faro do Medio and San Martiño to the south, and the islets of A Agoeira or Boeiro, Penela dos Viños, Carabelos, and Ruzo; these are the most rugged islands on the Galician Atlantic coast.
ZEC Illas Cíes – ES0000001
OVERVIEW
Area (ha): 990,35 ha
Natura 2000 Code: ES0000001
Other protection statuses according to national or regional legislation:
The territorial scope of this SAC completely overlaps with the Cíes Islands SPA (ES0000001) and is entirely included in the Galician-Western Cantabrian Migration Corridor SPA (ES0000554). This SAC is included in the Galician Network of Protected Areas under different types of figures (National Park, Natura 2000 Protected Area), which, in accordance with Law 42/2007 (state) and Law 5/2019 (regional), are considered Protected Natural Areas (PNA). It also includes the declaration under the figures of Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, OSPAR Marine Protected Area, and inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, all of which are considered Protected Areas by International Instruments under Law 42/2007 and Law 5/2019.
CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT
Approximately 55% of the surface area of the Illas Cíes SAC corresponds to marine zones. Of the remaining 45% (land area), natural environments (dune systems, coastal lagoons, coastal scrublands, and cliffs) represent 71% of the island’s territory, areas with forest plantations of non-native species represent 24%, tourism is concentrated in beach systems and other designated areas (3%), and finally, urbanized areas occupy the remaining 2%.
The marine area of the Illas Cíes SAC falls under the territorial waters of the Spanish State. On the island’s surface, the areas closest to the coastline are included within the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain (where the specific conservation actions of the LIFE GLOBAL project will be carried out), while the majority of the land area (more than 90%) corresponds to public land (the DXPN). The rest of the land surface is privately owned.
The Illas Cíes SAC (Citrus Islands Spatial Area) is a large, vulnerable ecosystem complex home to a high level of biodiversity, making it a valuable ecological enclave. Considering the strategic role these ecosystems play, LIFE GLOBAL includes a series of specific conservation measures in the Illas Cíes SAC/SPA (ES0000001) to improve the conservation status of habitat 1150*, whose sensitivity and fragility to the threats and pressures detected by this project are greater than those of other habitats present.