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General Objective:

Through close collaboration between scientists and fishermen, the ResCap project aims to implement and evaluate the feasibility of ecological restoration actions and mitigation of the impacts of artisanal fishing on benthic communities dominated by gorgonians and corals. To achieve this objective, this second phase of the ResCap project is structured into 4 specific objectives (EOs), divided into 7 activities (A) and 26 actions.

Specific objectives:

1. Mitigating the impacts of artisanal fisheries on gorgonian and soft coral populations
2. Generation of new gorgonians for the ecological restoration of impacted populations
3. Ecotourism Outings: Involvement of society in the restoration of gorgonians
4. Information, awareness and education on the importance of preserving gorgonian bottoms through sustainable artisanal fisheries

The project made it possible to execute and evaluate the feasibility of ecological restoration actions and mitigation of the impacts of artisanal fishing on gorgonian benthic communities. During 2019, the number of gorgonians accidentally caught was lower than the previous year. Of the 337 colonies collected, more than 92% of the colonies were kept in the aquariums thanks to the involvement of scientists and the willingness of fishermen. Of the 307 colonies kept in the aquariums, 380 fragments were obtained, transplanted on natural boulders. More than 98% of the fragments were returned to their habitat, indicating their high survival in aquariums. From June to August 2019, eight returns were made in the town of Es Portaló, in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The effort was focused on this locality due to the high survival of the colonies in that area and the reduced budget of the ROV campaign.

The expeditions carried out with ROVs made the success of the restoration method palpable, as it was visualized that 85.9% of the gorgonians returned during the 2 years of the project are in good condition. We consider the results of the campaign activity to be very positive, as it confirmed that the area restored in the Natural Park was increased.

On the other hand, experimental aquariums have operated under the differential conditions of temperature and type of food. After six months, the growth of the 72 fragments subjected to the different treatments was evaluated. It was possible to identify the one that most encouraged the growth of the colonies: unenriched Artemia salina and 18 °C. Having obtained 72 colonies for the experiments is a good statistical number to obtain reliable results. However, no new recruits could be obtained by sexual reproduction, as there was massive larval mortality from a fine sediment input. To minimise the impact of these events on the larvae, the filtering system will be improved.

The dissemination plan has also complied with the dissemination actions. Two press releases have been published, at the beginning and end of the project. There have also been 9 publications in digital media at regional, regional and state level, and 58 publications on social networks. In addition, a total of 1,000 triptychs (360 in ES, 500 in CAT and 140 in EN) have been edited, produced and distributed in various locations.

At the end of the fishing season, in collaboration with the Societat Amistat de Cadaqués, a talk was held where the general features of the biology and function of gorgonians were presented. In addition, the process of recovery, maintenance and restoration of these organisms within the framework of the project was explained, highlighting the importance of collaboration and coordination between all parties involved. To this end, an artisanal fisherman member of the Cadaqués brotherhood participated, who explained general aspects and his vision of the project. The conference allowed scientific and sociological aspects to be shared, showing that the project has united two traditionally opposed sectors, such as conservation and fisheries. The surveys showed the positive impact of the activity, as most of the attendees had no prior knowledge of the project. In addition, for most of them, the existence of gorgonians and their role in the ecosystem was made known.

On the other hand, we highlight the excellent dissemination that the project has had with activities such as the recording of an episode of the program Volando voy on channel Four, in which the project was announced, the problem was made visible, as well as the solutions and the potential of close collaboration between artisanal fishermen, scientists, staff of the Cap de Creus Natural Park and citizens. This episode obtained a 6.80% share and 1,211,000 viewers.

Students from the Cap de Creus Institute in Cadaqués have also participated in the workshop The gorgonians of Cap de Creus and its ecological importance, in which a large number of students participated, higher than initially planned. This fact, together with the interest and enthusiasm they showed, makes us consider the activity successful. For the workshop, reproductions of gorgonians, models of the seabed and photographic supports were used to explain their distribution and characteristics.

Finally, the number of visits to the facilities increased compared to the previous year and more than double the planned sessions of the workshop on the importance of the conservation of gorgonian forests and their ecological restoration were carried out in the towns of Port de la Selva and Cadaqués. In them, adults and children were able to learn about and participate in practices about the biology of gorgonians and the objectives and development of the project.