Resilia project: a key step towards Neptune seagrass conservation on the Catalan coast

SUBMON has been awarded a grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya to carry out the Resilia project, an initiative dedicated to safeguarding Posidonia oceanica in marine protected areas along the northern Catalan coast.

Posidonia oceanica, a Mediterranean endemic seagrass of great ecological importance, is facing a series of pressures and impacts due to human activities, leading to its regression. One of the main causes is the anchoring of recreational boats, an issue that has become increasingly severe in recent years due to the growth of tourism and nautical sports.

To tackle this problem, fixed mooring fields with permanent buoy systems have become the most widely used solution. These systems typically involve anchoring buoys to the seabed using structures like concrete blocks. However, this approach is not a perfect solution, as these structures are not always installed correctly and, in some areas, the current state of these structures and their impact on the area are unknown.

Resilia will focus its actions on the areas of the Massís de les Cadiretes, Litoral del Baix Empordà and l’Albera.

This is the context that led to the creation of Resilia, a SUBMON project funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya that focuses on the conservation and recovery of Neptune seagrass in the Natura 2000 Network areas of Massís de les Cadiretes, Litoral del Baix Empordà and l’Albera, three marine areas of high ecological value. The main objective of the project is to comprehensively address the impact of recreational mooring in 7 municipalities in these Natura 2000 Network sites (Tossa de Mar, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Palamós, Palafrugell, Begur and Llançà).

Over the next four years, a detailed assessment of existing mooring installations will be conducted to identify all anchoring-related elements and evaluate their impact on seagrass meadows. Any structures causing harm to the marine habitat will be relocated or removed. Additionally, low-impact moorings will be installed to prevent further damage and ensure the sustainability of nautical activities.

Scientific research will be essential in measuring the effectiveness of these actions. In addition to monitoring the affected seagrass meadows, the project will include studies on the habitat’s biocenosis. These activities will involve searching for noble pen shells (Pinna nobilis), installing noble pen shell larvae collectors to support their recovery, and monitoring invasive species that pose a threat to this ecosystem, such as Caulerpa cylindracea and Rugulopteryx okamurae.

Professional diver removing a concrete block.

Another innovative aspect of Resilia is its emphasis on citizen participation. In collaboration with the citizen science platform Minka, volunteers will be engaged to locate abandoned mooring blocks and gather environmental and biodiversity data, fostering a stronger collective commitment to marine conservation. Additionally, municipal technicians will receive training to ensure the sustainable management of mooring areas, aligning with Marine Strategies and long-term conservation goals.

With the project already underway, we have begun to coordinate efforts with the municipalities involved and with the General Directorate of Environmental Policies and Natural Environment to plan the actions to be developed in the coming years.

The Resilia project marks a decisive step forward in protecting our marine ecosystems. By combining research, innovation, and community involvement, it aims to secure a sustainable future for Posidonia along the northern Catalan coast.