Since the twentieth century, this marine invertebrate has undergone a significant regression and is now in danger of extinction.

Various Neolithic sites have preserved remains of the ferruginous limpet (Patella ferruginea), a mollusk endemic to the Mediterranean that has served as a source of food and decorative object since ancient times. However, since the twentieth century this marine invertebrate has suffered a significant regression and today it is in danger of extinction.

The ferruginous limpet has been relegated to the western sector of the North African coast and the south of Spain, Corsica and Sardinia. In Spain it is only found in isolated points of Cádiz, Malaga, Granada, Almería, Murcia, Ceuta and Melilla, although in ancient times it was distributed uniformly from Cabo de Gata to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Their populations inhabit rocky substrates in the western Mediterranean located above sea level, in the intertidal zone, the strip of coastline affected by the tides.

The limpet adheres completely to the rock, both to resist the onslaught of the waves and to prevent drying out during periods when they are exposed to the air. They are so accessible that they make it an easy prey. Even so, to mislead their potential predators, the specimens adapt the shell to the irregularities of the rock. In fact, one of the singularities that distinguish it from other limpets is its shell, formed by very marked radial ribs and scalloped edge. Its ferruginous color is also characteristic, the origin of its name.

Slow growing, some specimens have exceeded 30 years of age. In addition to being long-lived, it is the largest limpet on the European coasts and can exceed 10 cm in length.

Various causes have led to the ferruginous limpet being in danger of extinction. The deterioration of the coastline has led to the destruction and alteration of habitats favourable to the species. Human consumption or as fishing bait, pollution and obtaining it for collecting also constitute a threat. In addition, the biology of the species with a very low fecundity and a very short larval stage decreases its ability to disperse and recolonize.

The decline of the species continues alarmingly and many of its populations are on the verge of disappearing. Their collection and handling are completely illegal and these practices must be denounced. Its serious situation prompted the development of the Strategy for the conservation of the ferruginous limpet in Spain in 2008.

Within the framework of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, it is planned to update the national conservation strategy in order to promote actions that contribute to both the recovery of the species and its habitat. To this end, work will be done with the sectors and agents involved in its conservation, including public administrations and expert working groups, in order to have updated information for its management and recovery in 2019.

The largest marine conservation project

LIFE IP INTEMARES, the largest marine environment conservation project in Europe, aims to achieve a network of marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, managed effectively, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as basic tools for decision-making. It is coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment, through the Biodiversity Foundation, which also acts as a partner through the General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea.

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography, WWF-Spain, SEO/BirdLife and the Spanish Fisheries Confederation participate as partners. It has the financial contribution of the European Union’s LIFE Programme, as well as the European Social Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, among other sources of funding.