Formentera is hosting the travelling exhibition “Feim un capfico?” from September 4 to 21, bringing together the 32 winning photographs from the sixth edition of MARE FOTO, the photography competition dedicated to the conservation of the Balearic Sea. The exhibition is being held in Sant Francesc Xavier and marks the first stop in the Pitiusas Islands on MARE’s 2026 tour across the Balearic Islands, ahead of its arrival in Ibiza later this month.
The exhibition offers visitors different ways of looking at the sea. Through photography, they can discover the species that inhabit Balearic waters, explore underwater landscapes, observe the relationship between people and the marine environment, and learn about the pressures threatening these ecosystems.
MARE says that, in an island so closely connected to the sea as Formentera, photography can become “a gateway to discovering and understanding marine heritage.” According to the organisation, the selected images combine the power to inspire and move audiences with educational content, encouraging visitors to look beyond the immediate visual impact and gain a deeper understanding of what lies beneath the surface.
The exhibition opens in Formentera
The opening ceremony was attended by Eva Nieto, Councillor for Culture of the Consell Insular de Formentera, and Abraham Calero, MARE’s competition manager.
The exhibition’s arrival in Formentera continues the collaboration between MARE and the Consell Insular de Formentera, bringing together culture, public awareness and marine conservation for both residents and visitors.
Formentera also hosted MARE’s travelling exhibition last year. At the time, the island’s government highlighted the ability of initiatives of this kind to bring art and conservation together, while raising awareness of the importance of protecting the seabed and the natural wealth surrounding the island.
Photographs spanning multiple categories
“Feim un capfico?” features photographs recognised across the different categories of MARE FOTO, bringing together work by professional and amateur photographers, young participants, as well as special mentions focused on shallow bays and protected marine areas.
The winning images cover a wide range of subjects, including Posidonia seagrass, underwater landscapes, Mediterranean marine life and the relationship between people and the sea. The exhibition also highlights photographs addressing the human impacts and environmental pressures threatening the marine environment.
Among the featured works is “Abraçant el futur” by Sebastià Pons Burguera, which received the MARE Popularis Award after being voted the public’s favourite photograph.
Formentera marks the first Pitiusas stop
The Formentera exhibition is part of MARE’s 2026 travelling programme, which is taking the winning photographs to different locations across the Balearic Islands.
Following exhibitions in Mallorca and Menorca, Formentera becomes the first Pitiusas stop on this year’s tour. After its stay in Sant Francesc Xavier, the exhibition will move to Ibiza from September 25 to October 14.
The remaining dates on the 2026 itinerary are:
- Puerto Portals, Mallorca: October 20 to November 10
- Pollença, Mallorca: November 11 to 30
Photography as a tool for marine conservation
MARE describes itself as a collective initiative that uses photography to “raise awareness and move people”, showcasing both “the beauty and fragility of the Balearic Sea.”
Through its travelling exhibition and other activities, the organisation aims to encourage the public to “look at the sea with new eyes”, listen to “the message it sends us” and become actively involved in its conservation.
Faced with the challenges threatening what MARE describes as a “shared treasure,” the initiative emphasises that “every gesture counts” and that “protecting the sea begins with our gaze and continues with our actions.”
