The Calvià Town Council has launched an underwater surveillance system that allows live viewing of the seabed of the Ponent Islands Reserve. The images can be accessed on the municipal website and at the 23 information totems throughout the municipality.
The Calvià Town Council has taken a new step in monitoring its coastline with the installation of an underwater camera on the islet of El Toro, within the Marine Reserve of the Ponent Islands. The device, located four metres deep, provides real-time images of the seabed 24 hours a day, accessible both on the municipal website and at the 23 information totems distributed throughout the municipality.
The initiative, driven by the Calvià council, has been supported by IB3, the public broadcasting service of the Balearic Islands, as part of the Arxipèlag Blau programme, co-produced with the Marilles Foundation. The telecommunications company IB-RED has been responsible for the installation and technical maintenance of the infrastructure, which also allows for high-quality photographs to be captured through the web viewer.
The system adds to the information already available on the municipal website regarding the status of the beaches of Peguera, Palmanova, Magaluf, and Santa Ponça, where users can check the total capacity, percentage of occupancy, and the number of people present at each beach, with automatic updates every ten minutes.
The Marine Reserve of the Ponent Islands, initially created in 2004, has undergone several expansions. In 2022, the Balearic Government declared the Marine Reserve of the Islands of Toro and Les Malgrats, and in 2025 the current Marine Reserve of the Ponent Islands of Mallorca was established, which includes El Toro, Les Malgrats, and El Sec, modifying the boundaries and dimensions of the protected area.
To access the live underwater images, interested parties can visit the Beaches and Coast section of the Calvià Town Council website. This tool allows residents and tourists to know the real-time status of the seabed, which can be useful for activities such as diving or observing biodiversity.
The underwater camera offers a unique window into a protected marine ecosystem, where it is possible to observe species such as fish, seaweed, and other forms of marine life without the need to dive. The initiative reinforces the municipality's commitment to environmental conservation and scientific dissemination.
The Calvià Town Council has highlighted that this technology allows citizens and visitors to enjoy the natural wealth of the marine reserve from anywhere, thus promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting these spaces. The live feed is available free of charge and without time restrictions.
Public-private collaboration has been key to making this project a reality. IB3, through its Arxipèlag Blau programme, has contributed its expertise in audiovisual production, while IB-RED has ensured connectivity and maintenance of the equipment. The Marilles Foundation, for its part, has contributed to the development of educational content.
With this initiative, Calvià positions itself at the forefront of monitoring its marine resources and offers an educational and recreational tool that brings the seabed closer to the public. The municipal website also includes information about the status of the beaches, facilitating the planning of visits and activities along the coast.
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