The fifth oceanographic campaign of the LIFE ECOREST project, of which the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is a member, has made significant progress in the active restoration of deep habitats in Catalonia. The initiative, coordinated by the Institute of Sea Sciences (ICM-CSIC), aims to recover nearly 30,000 hectares of vulnerable ecosystems by reintroducing structuring species such as corals, gorgonians or sponges.

During three weeks of work on the coast of Barcelona and Girona, the scientific team has monitored the organisms reintroduced in previous campaigns, evaluating their survival, growth, reproductive capacity and their role in the recovery of biodiversity.

So far, more than 8,000 specimens have been reintroduced into the marine environment thanks to the joint work of the scientific community and the fishing sector.

The results indicate the beginning of the recovery of various ecosystems, especially in two fishing exclusion zones off the coast of Barcelona. Individuals from the first campaign (2022), with an estimated survival rate of more than 90%, which reinforces the effectiveness of restoration actions.

One of the most relevant aspects observed is the ecological effect of “nursery” generated by these structures: the restored gorgonians and corals favor the presence of eggs, larvae and juvenile fish, evidencing their key role in the dynamics and maintenance of marine communities.

However, complex biological interactions have also been detected, such as the laying of eggs by catshark, a small shark, on some gorgonians, which in certain cases can compromise the survival of colonies by completely covering the structures and limiting their feeding.

“When three-dimensional structures are recovered on these seabeds, an oasis effect is generated that attracts a wide variety of species and reactivates essential ecological processes,” explains Jordi Grinyó, coordinator of the LIFE ECOREST project. According to the researcher, the simultaneous presence of eggs in different stages in the same colony confirms the continued use of these restored habitats.

NEW LINES OF EXPERIMENTATION

The campaign has also incorporated new restoration techniques. Sponges have been bred under controlled conditions in the ICM-CSIC aquariums to assess their viability before reintroduction. These sponges have been installed in Landers with underwater cameras to monitor growth and survival.

In parallel, the combined effect of the joint reintroduction of different structuring organisms, such as sponges and gorgonians, on the improvement of ecosystem services is being studied, compared to interventions separated by sponges and gorgonians on the other.

ACTIVE CATERING AND PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT

The project has so far developed five oceanographic campaigns (2022-2025) based on active restoration and continuous monitoring of organisms. Specifically, in September 2022; in May and June 2023; in December 2023 and in November-December 2024 and the latter in December 2025.

The reintroductions are carried out using the badminton technique, which allows the organisms to be fixed to boulders to ensure correct arrival and position on the seabed.

The initiative combines scientific research, conservation and participation of the fishing sector, which actively collaborates in the recovery, custody and return of organisms to the sea. This joint work has so far made it possible to recover and reintroduce more than 8,000 organisms.

In addition to restoration actions, the project promotes the improvement of the governance of marine protected areas and awareness of the importance of deep habitats, key to biodiversity and the functioning of marine ecosystems.

The LIFE ECOREST project, active until 2027, has the participation of the University of Barcelona, the Territorial Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds of Girona, the Biodiversity Foundation of MITECO and WWF Spain, with funding from the LIFE program of the European Union.