RESILIA

Neptune seagrass is a key marine plant for Mediterranean biodiversity, forming underwater meadows that serve as habitats for a wide variety of species and play a key role in multiple ecological processes.. This unique habitat is protected under various international and national regulations. Despite these protections, Neptune seagrass faces multiple pressures and impacts caused by human activity, leading to its decline. One of the main drivers of this regression is the anchoring of recreational boats—an impact that has worsened in recent years due to the rise in tourism and water sports.

To address this issue, the most common solution has been the implementation of fixed mooring fields using buoy systems permanently anchored to the seabed with structures such as concrete blocks. However, this is not a definitive solution, as these installations are not always implemented correctly. In some areas, the current state of these structures and the pressures they exert on habitats like Neptune seagrass are unknown.

The RESILIA project takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the impact of recreational mooring, focusing on the diagnosis of mooring buoy fields and marking buoys, the subsequent restoration of Posidonia oceanica areas affected by these temporary installations, and the promotion of more sustainable management practices.

In addition, the project studies the environmental status of this habitat and its biocenosis, and identifies and monitors the evolution of degraded areas where dead Neptune seagrass mat is present.

The project also promotes citizen involvement through the MINKA citizen science platform, engaging volunteers in the identification of abandoned mooring elements, invasive algal species and Noble pen shells. Moreover, it seeks to raise awareness and promote environmental education by involving the local community in the conservation of Neptune seagrass.

The RESILIA project is carried out in three protected natural areas along the northern Catalan coast: the Massís de les Cadiretes, Litoral del Baix Empordà, and l’Albera. In total, the project will potentially operate in 3,258.26 hectares spanning the municipalities of Tossa de Mar, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Palamós, Palafrugell, Begur, and Llançà. These areas are part of the Natura 2000 Network due to their high biodiversity and ecological value.

The Natura 2000 Network is a European network of natural areas aimed at harmonizing the protection of natural and semi-natural species and habitats with human activities. It promotes the favorable conservation status of habitats and species of community interest. Additionally, it is the largest network of protected areas in the world.

Neptune seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) is a marine plant endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the group of seagrasses, which are flowering plants of terrestrial origin that have adapted to life in the marine environment. Unlike algae, seagrasses have roots, stems and leaves, and they produce flowers and fruits.

Neptune seagrass forms extensive seagrass meadows that contribute to maintaining Mediterranean biodiversity and protect beaches and coastal areas from erosion. This marine plant creates important nursery and refuge areas for many marine species. It is estimated that more than 400 plant species and 1,000 animal species inhabit Neptune seagrass meadows at some stage of their life cycle. In addition, these meadows function as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by capturing and storing large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). They are also major oxygen producers and act as natural filters of suspended particles, helping to keep coastal waters clean and transparent.

This unique ecosystem is protected by various international and national regulations, such as Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive) on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, as well as Royal Decree 139/2011, which includes Neptune seagrass in the List of Species under Special Protection. Despite its protection, Neptune seagrass faces a series of pressures and impacts directly or indirectly related to human activity that have contributed to its regression in the Mediterranean Sea. These may be physical/mechanical (direct pressures on the seabed), biological (linked to the appearance or proliferation of some species) or environmental (related to the alteration of the conditions required by the plant for its development).

Biological pressures include eutrophication and loss of water quality, and global warming, the presence of invasive species, such as Caulerpa cylindracea or Rugulopteryx okamurae, which affect the health of the meadows, altering the environment and hindering their natural recovery after an impact.

Regarding physical pressures, illegal trawling and coastal interventions such as dredging and harbour construction can also impact the habitat. However, a very significant impact of this type is caused by the anchoring of boats. On the one hand, the use of anchors on Posidonia oceanica causes the uprooting of shoots and the destruction of their roots and rhizomes. On the other hand, anchoring buoy fields, which are intended to reduce the impact of anchoring, can also cause significant impacts on the meadows if they are not correctly located, installed and dimensioned.

Concrete block used for boat mooring on a Neptune seagrass meadow.

1. Assessment of mooring buoy fields and restoration of Neptune seagrass meadows

A review of the mooring buoy fields and marking buoys installed within the marine area of the three Natura 2000 sites, in order to identify mooring systems and elements (concrete blocks, chains, etc.) and other large objects that are directly impacting Posidonia oceanica meadows, or that are located in areas where this species could potentially occur. Once these elements have been identified, the proposed actions are assessed in coordination with the competent authorities and, subsequently, restoration of the affected meadows is carried out through the removal of the elements deemed appropriate.

Professional diver removing a concrete block located on a Neptune seagrass meadow.

Technician measuring one of the dead matte patches with a measuring tape after identifying it with temporary marker buoys.

2. Assessment of the environmental status of Neptune seagrass and study of its biocenosis

A study of the environmental status of the Posidonia oceanica meadows, evaluating shoot density, percentage coverage and the rhizome burial depth. Regarding the study of its biocenosis, monitoring is carried out to assess the presence of emblematic species such as the Noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), as well as invasive species such as Caulerpa cylindracea and Rugulopteryx okamurae. For the Noble pen shell, which is currently classified as Critically Endangered, the project also promotes recruitment through the installation of larvae collectors.  Finally, this action includes monitoring the evolution of areas with dead Posidonia mat by establishing control plots, allowing changes to be assessed over time.

3. Citizen participation

Citizen participation is promoted through the involvement of volunteers in identifying, within the marine area of the Natura 2000 sites involved in the project: 1) abandoned mooring elements and other large-scale litter impacting Neptune seagrass meadows; 2) Noble pen shells; 3) invasive algae.

These observations are uploaded to MINKA, a digital citizen science platform that enables users to share observations, mainly related to biodiversity. To do so, users must register on the MINKA platform and upload their observations using photographs. Each observation must include the precise location where it was recorded (coordinates or a point on the map), the date of the observation (within the framework of the project, observations made between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2027 are valid) and the name of the species or object documented.

To collaborate in the initiative, users can access the project section on the MINKA platform directly via this link. A detailed user guide to the platform can also be consulted here to resolve any questions or obtain further information.

Infographic showing the steps to upload observations to MINKA and collaborate with the RESILIA project.
Download it here.

Educational poster.
Download it here.

4. Training for local authorities to promote more sustainable management of mooring buoy fields

Development of materials and delivery of training workshops aimed at technical staff and decision-makers from the municipalities involved, with the goal of promoting sustainability in the installation and management of mooring buoy fields and marking buoys. The objective of this action is to provide tools that support compliance with the environmental objectives established by the Marine Strategies, ensuring the long-term protection of Posidonia oceanica meadows in these areas.

5. Awareness and environmental education

The RESILIA project includes a range of communication, awareness-raising and environmental education actions aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of the marine environment in general, and of Posidonia oceanica in particular. Some of these actions also focus on highlighting the importance of marine areas that form part of the Natura 2000 network.

Among these initiatives, the project develops a narrative infographic on best anchoring practices, organises an underwater photography competition across the three participating Natura 2000 sites, visits different educational centres in the seven participating municipalities to deliver workshop talks, and produces an educational video and a travelling exhibition.

The RESILIA project’s underwater photography contest was created to highlight and raise awareness of the importance of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, an essential habitat for marine biodiversity and the health of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. At the same time, it aims to emphasise the relevance of marine Natura 2000 sites in the conservation of natural heritage and to promote knowledge of the areas of the Massís de les Cadiretes, the Litoral del Baix Empordà and L’Albera, showcasing the rich biological diversity they host.

When and where does the contest take place?

The contest is divided into three editions: one in 2025, focused on the Massís de les Cadiretes area, and two in 2026, one in the Litoral del Baix Empordà and the other in the L’Albera maritime area.

Each edition starts on 1 January and ends on 31 October.

How to participate

Those wishing to take part must send their photographs to the email address comunicacio@submon.org before the end date of the relevant edition. The email subject line must include: “RESILIA – Concurs fotografia”, and the following information must be provided:

• Title of the photograph.
• Full name of the author.
• Natura 2000 site where the photo was taken.
• Category entered.