Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Community of Valencia

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/09/22 - 31/12/25

Total budget:

282.312€

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€268,196.40 (95%)

In 1988, collaboration began between the Generalitat Valenciana and the University of Valencia for the development of the Network of Strandings of marine species of the Valencian Community as sentinels of Biodiversity, which has given rise to more than a hundred scientific publications. This network will be reinforced thanks to this project by attending to the strandings of endangered species.

This project will focus on coordinating and analysing the strandings of protected marine megavertebrates on the coast of the Valencian Community. After the transfer of the corpses to the UV, particular attention will be paid to the signs of bycatch and from the necropsies, biological data and samples will be taken for age, population, diet, reproductive status and pathogen studies in order to know their conservation problems and ensure the state of their populations.
Nesting turtles will be marked and their nests followed, with calculation of hatching success and determination of sand temperature, as well as release of hatchlings. Threats to protected species will be detected. They will be calculated from the vulnerability risks of said fauna and the accumulated impact rates on the species, to contribute to the conservation plans and strategies of the competent authorities. In addition, particular attention will be paid to loggerhead turtle nesting events for their protection and control. All this will contribute to obtaining information aimed at the development of conservation plans and strategies for these species, including the development of BEVACET, and therefore the conservation of Marine Biodiversity, as part of the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and specifically SDG 14.