Deploying noble pen shell larvae collectors in Portlligat bay

Noble pen shell larvae capturing system installed in Portlligat Bay. Photo: Âlex Bartolí/SUBMON

The noble pen shell is a bivalve mollusc endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It can be found in the seagrass meadows, especially those of Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica), and can measure more than 1 meter in length, being considered the most emblematic molluscs of the Mediterranean.

Several conservation actions were carried out to help the conservation of the species during th epidemic outbreak. Actions were conducted all along the spanish mediterranean and in specifically with the population of Cap de Creus national Park

The 3 actions that were carried out at that time consisted of
1) Rescue of individuals from Portlligat Bay (Cadaqués) and their transfer to different research centres and aquariums.
2) Installation of protective cages for noble pen shells to prevent infected and sick individuals from being eaten by crustaceans and fish.
3) Installation of noble pen shell larvae collectors.

This year, SUBMON, in collaboration with the IMEDEA, the IEO of Palma and the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, has installed two more larvae collector systems in the bay of Portlligat with the intention to obtainlarvaes from the species.

Logistic support form Cap de Creus Natural Park. Foto: Àlex Bartolí/SUBMON

Deploying anoble pen shell larvae collector system. Foto: Àlex Bartolí/SUBMON

Despite the fact that it has been possible to detect some live nacre in coves in Cadaqués and Cap de Creus, the epidemic left the population very damaged, eliminating it almost completely and leaving very few individuals with reproductive capacity. In any case, it is necessary to continue working to try to recover and conserve the noble pen shell populations in the area which, in the past, the species was very abundant.

Healthy individual of noble pen shell detected in August 2020 at Cadaqués. Foto: Àlex Bartolí/SUBMON