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Mallorca is pretty well-known around much of the world, but…how much do we know about the sea that surrounds this famous island? Here at Palma Aquarium, we’ll let you into some fascinating facts about the Mediterranean Sea so you can discover a little more about it.
1- The Mediterranean Sea is more than 4,500 metres deep
The Mediterranean is an intercontinental sea located between Europe, Africa and Asia. Connecting with the Atlantic from the Strait of Gibraltar and with the Red Sea from the Suez Canal, it bathes the coasts of more than 20 countries.
It has an average depth of some 1,500 metres but at some points it is more than 4,500 metres deep! In addition, the Mediterranean Sea acts on its coasts, reducing the heat and generating the climate that bears its name: the ‘Mediterranean climate’.
2- Home to some 17,000 species
Despite being one of the smallest seas on the planet, accounting for approximately 1% of the ocean surface, the waters of the Mediterranean are home to around 10% of all marine species, some 25% of which are endemic.
The Mediterranean is the only place where you will find species such as red coral, monk seals, bream or Mediterranean moray eels… in addition to others such as the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta) turtle, which also inhabits the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; or Posidonia oceanica, which is also found on Australia’s southern coast.
3- 1 sea in invasive species
Although its waters and lands are inhabited by a wide diversity of species, it is estimated that around 4% of them are invasive, including more than 200 types of molluscs and 100 crustaceans. Scientists believe that they entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Whatever the case, the large number of invasive species that inhabit such a small sea is striking, totalling some 600, especially when you compare it with an ocean as vast as the Atlantic, which has just 250 invasive species.
There are currently 700 Mediterranean species in danger of extinction, and invasive species are the second cause of the extinction of endemic flora and fauna.
4- Endangered species
The Mediterranean is one of the most biologically diverse seas, yet it is estimated that 20% of the species that live in its waters are under some type of threat. For this reason, Palma Aquarium and the Palma Aquarium Foundation are committed to protecting our most vulnerable species through conservation and research projects. Examples include the ‘Cavallets de mar Balear’ project, set up to tackle falling seahorse numbers and to contribute to repopulating this species in the Mediterranean Sea. Another initiative is the ‘Petits Taurons – Acció Stellaris’ project, which aims to combat the difficult situation of nursehound sharks in the Mediterranean by repopulating them in the wild.
5- A very salty sea
The waters of the Mediterranean Sea have a high salinity percentage – as much as 3.8% at a depth of 5 metres. This is due to the high water evaporation rate in comparison with the freshwater from the 69 rivers that flow into the sea.
Palma Aquarium and the Palma Aquarium Foundation are working to raise awareness of the importance of reducing plastics, protecting marine wildlife and promoting ways to help the sea that is home to so many species. If you would like to find out more about our conservation projects and all the fascinating facts about the Mediterranean Sea, don’t miss the chance to visit Palma Aquarium.
