The preliminary results of the fourth oceanographic campaign of the LIFE ECOREST project, which took place from November 20th to December 11th, 2024. has been disseminated. Thanks to an underwater robot, images of the restored organisms in marine reserves and control areas have been obtained. Additionally, landers equipped with cameras and environmental sensors were used to provide information on potential interactions with other fauna and their response to different environmental factors.
In this first assessment of the campaign, the success of the restoration of Eunicella cavolini gorgonian colonies in the waters of Girona has been confirmed, one and a half years after their return to the sea.
Furthermore, the images obtained show that the gorgonians provide shelter and food for fish and other species. In this regard, research is being conducted on how the restored corals and gorgonians influence fish larvae and their potential to increase biodiversity.
One of the key milestones achieved is the restoration of the yellow coral Dendrophyllia cornigera for the first time in Europe. Just one day after its restoration, the polyps are already open. This indicates that they are preparing to feed, which is a sign of their good condition.
Over 3,200 organisms returned to the sea
During the oceanographic campaigns, specimens rescued from fishing nets and recovered in the aquariums installed in the fishermen’s guilds are also released. This is done using a pioneering method, a bio-releaser (BiLi) that submerges the organisms inside it from a crane located on the research vessel. Once in the sea, the gate is opened, and the organisms are released. This device helps the organisms stay more grouped together.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the scientific team from ICM-CSIC, the University of Barcelona, and the participating fishermen’s guilds in the project, more than 3,200 organisms have been rescued, recovered in aquariums, and returned to the sea so far.
Informative Breakfast
The results were presented to the media at an informative breakfast organized by the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, a partner in the LIFE ECOREST project, at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) headquarters. The scientific team from ICM-CSIC explained the main milestones of the campaign, as well as the progress of the project. Journalists were also able to observe the various species involved in the project in the aquariums installed at this research center.
LIFE ECOREST
The LIFE ECOREST project, coordinated by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) until 2026, aims to restore nearly 30,000 hectares of deep-sea habitats in Catalonia, in an area of high ecological value along the coasts of Girona and Barcelona, with the active participation of the fishing sector.
Its partners include the Federació Territorial de Confraries de Pescadors de Girona, the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the University of Barcelona, and WWF Spain, as well as financial support from the EU’s LIFE Program. The project collaborates with the fishermen’s guilds of Llançà, Port de la Selva, Cadaqués, Roses, Palamós, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Blanes, Arenys de Mar, and Vilanova i la Geltrú.