TLDR: Artificial intelligence-powered cameras have been deployed in the Cap de Creus Natural Park to enforce new regulations outlined in the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG). This pilot project aims to monitor compliance with restrictions on activities like boat parties and jet skiing in the protected marine area, ensuring the preservation of its rich biodiversity.
Cap de Creus Natural Park, a vital ecological zone located in the Alt Empordà region of the Costa Brava, has initiated a pioneering conservation effort by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to enforce its newly implemented Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG). The regulations, which came into effect this summer, are designed to protect the park’s extensive 3,000 marine hectares, home to diverse ecosystems including seagrass meadows and gorgonian coral enclaves.
The Generalitat de Catalunya approved the PRUG in May, with its maritime regulations officially entering force on August 14, 2025. This comprehensive plan outlines permitted activities and conditions within the protected environment, specifically prohibiting recreational jet skis and boat parties anchored in the park’s coves. It also sets maximum limits for diving and recreational fishing companies operating in the area.
Two high-resolution video surveillance cameras, equipped with night vision and AI capabilities, have been installed as part of a pilot project. These cameras are designed to provide 24-hour monitoring, sending automated alerts when violations occur, such as boats entering restricted zones. Albert Tort, Secretary of Telecommunications and Digital Information, highlighted the system’s benefits, stating, “It allows us to monitor protected areas 24 hours a day, and it allows us to increase surveillance coverage.”
Authorities emphasize that the initial phase of this deployment is primarily informative and educational. As one official clarified, “This first summer, the aim is fundamentally to inform, explain, and raise awareness. There is no punitive intent, but rather an informative one, to raise awareness of the PRUG and for park users and visitors to understand and internalize it.” The initiative addresses the challenge of monitoring a vast and biodiverse marine area that experiences significant human presence, particularly during the peak tourist season.
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If the pilot project proves successful, there are plans to expand the AI camera system to seven surveillance points across the park between late 2025 and throughout 2026, with locations chosen based on environmental and accessibility criteria. All data collected will be managed in strict accordance with data protection regulations, ensuring privacy while enhancing environmental protection.
