Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

General:

Conservation of the endangered species Patella ferruginea through awareness-raising.

Specific:

1. Raise awareness among fishermen and shellfish gatherers about the protection and recovery of Patella ferruginea, as well as marine biodiversity in general, to make fishing sustainable without causing effects on the ecosystem.

2. Raise awareness among students and teachers through informative talks in educational centers and seminars with teachers, in the main areas where the species is present.

3. Raise awareness among the general population through exhibitions, media campaigns and social networks.

A1- Analysis of beliefs about the Patella: Initial evaluation of fishermen’s beliefs about the conservation problems of a species of limpet through discussion groups.

A2- Preparation of informative material on Patella ferruginea: Preparation of an informative brochure and teaching materials (didactic guidelines for teachers according to the official curricula of the Autonomous Communities and cities).

A3- Dissemination actions with fishing clubs: Organize informative meetings in fishing clubs (2-hour sessions)

A4- Educational dissemination actions: Activities with students in educational centers (talks) and seminars with teachers (1 session of 2 hours).

A5- Dissemination actions for society in general: Travelling exhibition on the biology and condition of Patella ferruginea lasting at least two weeks in each locality. Media campaign development- Social media campaigns (facebook, twitter and instagram)

“The limpet that gives the can” is the name of the awareness campaign promoted in this project that has managed to involve different sectors in the dissemination of information about the preservation of Patella ferruginea.

To analyse the degree of knowledge and beliefs associated with Patella among professionals in the fishing sector, a survey was prepared and sent to all sport fishing federations, fishermen’s guilds and local action groups (GALPs) in the areas of the area of action, i.e. with the presence of Patella ferruginea. In total, 79 professionals from seven cities participated: Cádiz, Málaga, Granada, Almería, Murcia, Ceuta and Melilla. With the data collected, a report was prepared that concludes that this species is relatively well known among fishermen and that, in addition, they are aware of the legislation that protects it and the sanctions that derive from its plundering. However, information campaigns are considered necessary in the areas where it is still preserved, to promote its protection.

After this first diagnosis, informative material was prepared on the species in question, with informative brochures for the fishing sector and for society in general, a specific digital guide for teachers with didactic guidelines and adapted to the school curriculum and three didactic videos , aimed at schoolchildren.

In relation to the informative meetings, a face-to-face workshop was held at the IES Mediterráneo de la Línea, with the participation of 50 students, in addition to seminars for teachers held over two days, which were attended by 20 teachers to work on the first draft of the Guide to Didactic Guidelines. Likewise, 11 online workshops were held in five schools in Cádiz, Ceuta, Melilla and Almeria, with the participation of 764 students and 394 views of the videos on YouTube. In addition, the Didactic Guidelines Guide was presented in an online seminar for teachers.

In addition, a number of dissemination and awareness-raising activities were organized for the general population. On the one hand, a travelling exhibition was organised on the biology and condition of Patella ferruginea, with more than 5,000 visitors during the 162 days of exhibition in the towns of Puerto de Santa María, Barbate, San Roque, Tarifa and Algeciras (Cádiz), Estepona (Málaga), El Ejido (Almería) and the Autonomous City of Melilla.