Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Valence

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2026

End date:

2028

Duration:

01/01/2026 - 30/06/2028

Total budget:

€540,243.60

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€324,146.16

The project contributes to the conservation of the butterfly ray (G. altavela), listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, other threatened marine species such as Rhinobatos rhinobatos (endangered), Raja radula (endangered), Scyliorhinus stellaris, Aetomylaeus bovinus (critically endangered), and Oxinotus centrina (critically endangered). In addition, it contributes to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change from an ecosystem perspective focused on the conservation of the butterfly ray (G. altavela), an endangered species that occupies a high trophic link and whose presence is an indicator of the good environmental status of coastal habitats and sandy bottoms. The project raises awareness among fishing sectors and citizens about the conservation of this species, avoiding accidental catches and promoting selective fishing models with a lower carbon footprint.

G. altavela is highly sensitive to changes in temperature and salinity, which makes it a bioindicator species of climate impact. Their monitoring helps to anticipate the effects of climate change on other benthic species. The involvement of guilds, scientific divers and local entities encourages nature-based community adaptation, promoting climate-smart governance.

• Improvement of scientific knowledge about the distribution, biology, health and ecology of altavela, in the Valencian Community, which is essential to design effective conservation strategies.
• Identification and mitigation of human threats, such as bycatch (professional and sport), contributing to reducing the mortality of the species.
• Promotion of more sustainable fishing practices, through awareness of the fishing sector and the incorporation of good management and reporting practices.
• Indirect protection of other demersal elasmobranch species at risk, such as Raja radula, Aetomylaeus bovinus or Oxinotus centrina, which share habitats and threats.
• Promotion of environmental governance by strengthening collaboration networks between public administrations, fishermen and citizens.
• Raising awareness in society about the importance of conserving marine ecosystems and their vulnerable species, generating a culture of respect and active participation.

Work with fishermen, visual censuses, study of habitat use by telemetry (acoustic technology and satellite tracking), use of external marks for visual recognition (capture – recapture), study of the health status of: live individuals accidentally captured, clinical assistance of specimens stranded on the beach, study of the reproductive status and performance of necropsies of specimens killed by fishing or stranded, establishment of an individual recognition program by pattern of individual marks and the incorporation of data from citizen science.

A complete picture of the distribution, biology and threats of the species and possible measures to mitigate these threats will be obtained.