Gorgonians are a type of sea coral that grows in the form of a bush. they are endangered, among other things, by certain fishing gear that destroys them.. But scientists have shown that it is possible to return these organisms to their habitats. In the last five years, 4,000 specimens of gorgons have been replanted on the Catalan coast.
This summer, mitigation (MITICAP) and restoration (RESCAP) projects of the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Cap de Creus (Girona) have returned more than 1,200 gorgonians caught in fishing nets to the sea. fishing and they succeeded in successfully replacing the artisanal hunting tools of the region, thus reducing the impact on benthic communities.
A During the five years that these two projects lasted, researchers from ICM-CSIC transplanted more than 4,000 gorgoni over an area of almost two hectares. Restoration and mitigation actions at the Es Freus marine reserve in Ibiza and Formentera at depths of 30 to 90 meters in the Cap de Creus Nature Park and the Community Significance (SCI) region of the Gulf of Leon canyons and the Natura 2000 Network.
As confirmed by underwater robots, the transplanted gorgonians have a survival rate of over 90%, and their reproduction rate is very similar to that of those that have never left the natural environment, indicating the rapid adaptation of colonies after transplanting.
the role of fishermen
In addition to returning to the sea of Gorgonians, science teams participated in multiple events during these five years. 200 days with fishermen testing various modifications of fishing gear. The most successful among these has been the enlargement of the net size of artisanal trammel nets used for lobster fishing. Its efficacy has been successfully tested by fishermen from the Formentera, Port de la Selva and Cadaqués fraternities.
On the other hand, as in previous years, lost fishing gear was recovered, which took a few days, with the cooperation of the volunteers and fishermen involved in the MITICAP project. These actions aim to reduce ghost fishing, i.e. abandoned fishing gear, and raise awareness of the need to protect the marine environment, both in the fishing industry and in society at large. thanks to these days 700 kg of marine litter was recovered this year, with 21 flower pots, 1 trammel net and 1 lost longline.
“With this year, already more than 4,000 gorgonians have successfully returned to the sea thanks to close relations with the artisanal fishermen of the Port de la Selva, Cadaqués and Formentera fraternities,” says Stefano Ambroso, head of RESCAP, adding the project “Over the years, the participation of fishermen has increased even more. and with accumulated experience we realized that methodologies were improved and adapted”.
Patricia Baena, technical director of the MITICAP project, said: “During these five years, a valuable relationship of synergy and trust has been established between two traditionally opposing groups: scientists and fishermen. Baena is confident that this trust will now serve to work together with the goal of ensuring the long-term maintenance and sustainability of these ecosystems.
The importance of awareness
Both MITICAP and RESCAP have been developed through the Pleamar Programme, co-financed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), in collaboration with the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Control. to raise awareness and raise public awareness about the protection of marine ecosystems and sustainable fishing. For this reason, in addition to various theoretical-practical workshops, various theoretical-practical workshops were held in these years. Speeches for all audiences attended by 1000+ people.
Efforts have also been made to raise awareness in the fishing industry, where the idea that there is another equally effective but less invasive way of fishing has been communicated. Thanks to this, A change in attitude was observed in most fishermen, reinforcing the need to continue to bet on collaborative projects. between the fishing industry and research centers for the effective transmission of messages and learning by fishermen resulting in greater interest and commitment to the protection of the marine environment.
Now, the two projects are over, but the purpose of ICM-CSIC is, Provide them with continuity in both Cap de Creus and Formentera and export the model to other autonomous communities. And mitigation and restoration measures of the marine environment are key in the current scenario, as zero impact of fishing activity is almost impossible to achieve, according to experts.
……
Environment department contact address:[email protected]