RED II – Network for the recovery of marine ecosystems in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia PNMT
Pleamar program
Description:
The project is a continuation of a previous one, initiated by COBGA (with PNMTIAG as a partner) in the 2017 call of the Pleamar Programme.
The survival and balance of any ecosystem have their strongest pillars in the conservation of biodiversity, and in this sense, the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, with its impressive biodiversity, becomes a protected area from which its ecosystems benefit, as well as the socioeconomic sectors of its own area of influence. However, the use of its resources, together with the coexistence of the species present there, entails a series of threats that can disrupt the ecosystem and socioeconomic balance if the appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner.
The serious problem posed by marine litter today is a reality from which sadly the National Park does not escape, and it is for this reason, and with the primary objective of minimizing and preventing the loss of biodiversity, that in the previous call it was decided to act in one of the enclaves of the National Park, specifically in the archipelago of Sálvora, where the Network for the recovery of marine ecosystems in the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia developed a series of activities aimed at alleviating this worrying problem.
After the success of the previous year’s campaign in the archipelago of Sálvora, and with the experience acquired throughout the project, it was decided to continue in this same line of action, but extending it and focusing it on two other archipelagos of the PNMTIAG, Ons and Cortegada.
Different actions were carried out in the project: knowledge management, ecosystem improvement (removal of waste on seabeds and beaches), communication and dissemination and, finally, actions related to horizontal principles.
Line of action:
Marine ecosystemsStatus:
FinalizadoExecution date:
2019General Objective:
To recover the biodiversity and marine ecosystems of the National Park from a sustainable perspective, involving the local population as much as possible, especially the fishing sector, either individually or through the FLAGs. Work will also be done with researchers from different Galician organizations and universities, as well as with third sector entities, educational centers, volunteers, city councils, etc.
Specific objectives:
- To promote the knowledge, management and conservation of marine biological resources, especially in the Natura 2000 Network, of marine protected areas in accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and of other protected areas and habitats.
- Collect lost fishing gear and other marine debris.
- Encourage the participation of fishermen in the protection and recovery of biodiversity.
- To improve the state of conservation and the capacity for renewal of natural resources and biodiversity, facilitating the fulfilment of environmental objectives established at international, national and regional level.
- Integrate equality and sustainability into biodiversity conservation.
The project had the involvement and active participation of the local population and the fishing sector in the area of influence of the National Park itself. A total of 40 collaborating entities, including research centres, universities, sports associations, NGOs, educational centres, volunteers and city councils.
A multidisciplinary working group was created with representatives of the fishing sector of the Arousa estuary and Pontevedra estuary, FLAG’s, research centres, national park and associative fabric and a virtual territorial map was drawn up with the potential activities that generate marine litter.
Seven clean-ups of beaches, seabeds and caves were carried out, in which more than 250 volunteers from the shellfish sector, sports entities, students and naturalists participated. Almost 600 kg of rubbish were collected and characterised in the MARNOBA application. A protocol for the collection of marine litter in caves was developed. Likewise, five information days and eleven workshops or conferences were held with 300 and 405 attendees, respectively. 50 volunteers were sensitized in relation to the gender perspective and 27 women attended the activity of visibility and awareness on marine litter.
The project was widely disseminated, compiling 157 impacts in written and digital media, four television reports and eight radio programs. In the same way, social networks also played a key role in disseminating the activities carried out. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube were the networks used, highlighting the following data: 589,731 people reached by the publications made. In addition, they achieved more than 250 hours of video played, mainly, of the two short films made within the project, “Ponle remedio” (more than 33,000 views on Facebook + 500 on Youtube) and “Listen to the sea” (3,000 views between Facebook and Youtube). Also, three infographics were made: Tips to avoid the arrival of garbage in the sea, Good practices in fishing to avoid marine litter and Top Ten: the ten most common types of litter in the PNMTIAG.
A result to highlight is that the Bill presented to request the Xunta de Galicia to start cleaning up marine debris, especially plastics, on the beaches and seabed of the region was unanimously approved, urging to take “immediate measures, including training and awareness” to reduce the presence of waste and thus recover biodiversity and marine ecosystems. In addition, it was proposed to replicate the initiative, extending the II Network for the Recovery of Marine Ecosystems in the PNMT of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia” to the entire Galician coast. The focus will be on sustainability and awareness; promotion of knowledge; management and conservation and actions to improve waste disposal.
Finally, the Official College of Biologists of Galicia was recognized for this project with the Maritime Rescue Award, in the category of best awareness initiative for the conservation of our seas, thus promoting SDG14.
RED II – Network for the recovery of marine ecosystems in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia PNMT
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