GARTABRO – A sea of life for citizens. Biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Gulf of Ártabro
Pleamar program
The Ártabro Gulf is a marine space formed by the confluence of the estuaries of A Coruña, Ares, Betanzos and Ferrol, with an area of 155 km² and 16 coastal municipalities forming its shores, populated with more than half a million inhabitants. In this coastal and marine space, important maritime, nautical, industrial, fishing and tourist activity is carried out, which coexist with an outstanding marine biodiversity. Thus, the waters and coasts of the Gulf of Ártabro are home to protected natural areas and Natura Network areas with important representations of habitats of community interest and priority and with populations of flora and fauna incorporated in the corresponding Annexes to the Birds and Habitats Directives and the catalogues for the protection of endangered fauna (regional and state).
This biodiversity constitutes the basis on which an important part of the socio-economic activity of the environment is based. That is why the project proposes a communication, awareness and dissemination campaign aimed at the general public about the biodiversity of the Golfo Ártabro, the services that its ecosystems offer to society and the need for their conservation and protection.
To this end, the environmental values and ecosystem services of the Gulf of Ártabro area have first been identified through the collection of information and the holding of technical expert seminars. Subsequently, various dissemination and awareness campaigns have been carried out among the main groups in the area: society as a whole, the fishing and aquaculture sector, the tourism sector and educational centres.
Line of action:
Marine ecosystemsStatus:
FinalizadoExecution date:
2018General Objective:
To raise awareness among society as a whole and specific groups related to the marine environment about the value of biodiversity and services of coastal and marine ecosystems and the maritime heritage of the Golfo Ártabro, for the promotion of sustainable uses, activities and practices in the marine environment.
Specific objectives:
- Identification of the values of the Ártabro Gulf in terms of biodiversity, ecosystem services and maritime heritage.
- Knowledge transfer and dissemination of biodiversity, ecosystem services and maritime heritage of the Ártabro Gulf.
- Raising awareness of the fishing, aquaculture and other sectors linked to the marine environment in good practices on the compatibility of productive activity with the conservation of biodiversity.
- To strengthen the link and commitment of the population of the Gulf of Ártabro with the territory and its natural and cultural heritage.
- To inform, disseminate and raise awareness among the educational community about the natural and cultural heritage of the Golfo Ártabro, encouraging reflection and involvement in their daily actions in its conservation.
All the objectives of the GARTABRA project have been successfully achieved: raising awareness in society and specific groups such as the fishing and aquaculture sector, identifying the values of biodiversity, maritime heritage and ecosystem services of the Arctic Gulf and the transfer of knowledge and dissemination in this regard.
A technical seminar on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Gulf of Ártabro was held with a total of 25 attendees. Based on the topics discussed in the seminar, a technical-informative publication was prepared. An outreach and awareness-raising campaign was also carried out with the preparation of informative materials: 2,000 posters and 4,000 bookmarks on cetaceans and marine ecosystems, seabirds, coastal flora and dune ecosystems.
A specific awareness campaign was carried out for the group of fishermen and aquaculturists, which had a total of 20 attendees, and awareness campaigns for the tourism sector, with the assistance of 23 professionals from the sector.
Finally, an environmental programme was drawn up in nine schools, with 14 groups/workshops and 389 students, and a didactic guide was prepared for teachers with the aim of giving continuity to the project and facilitating that the topics dealt with in the educational campaign have a long-term effect, being able to be incorporated into the regulated educational activities.
GARTABRO – A sea of life for citizens. Biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Gulf of Ártabro
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