When I first came to live in Mallorca, I was overwhelmed by the sumptuous presentation of fish and seafood in shops and supermarkets. I had found paradise, or so I thought.

Twenty plus years on, the fish display is still glorious in the fish halls of Mercat de l’Olivar or Mercat de Santa Catalina. But it is not a pleasant story any longer, I am afraid. Most fish and seafood on sale in Mallorca is now either imported or originates from fish farms.

A Marine biologist of the Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC) made a point recently in saying that the Mediterranean Sea is threatened by overfishing, pollution and overdevelopment.

The scientist warned that in a few years time the Mediterranean Sea will pass from a habitat of species such as tuna and swordfish into a great pool predominantly inhabited by bacteria and jellyfish.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: February 12h, 2008. The time was 14:51:57.