Western Mediterranean Sea

The Balearic Sea is part of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and is considered the most productive region of the otherwise oligotrophic Mediterranean. It serves as a breeding ground for small pelagic fishes such as the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), thus making it both a major fishing ground for commercial fleets and a highly exploited ecosystem. Within this region, the South Catalan Sea, located in the northern part of the Balearic archipelago, is among the most intensively studied areas of the Mediterranean. More broadly, parts of the western Mediterranean Sea, particularly along the northern coastline, have been extensively investigated through ecosystem modelling and large-scale stock assessments, while some targeted assessments also exist for sharks and rays.